The Old Religion by David Mamet

by David Mamet

For his second novel, playwright David Mamet chose as a subject the 1914 trial of Leo Frank, a Jew living in Georgia who was falsely accused of the rape and murder of a young girl at the factory he managed. Convicted on the perjurious testimony of the actual killer and several of his coworkers, Frank was later abducted from prison by a mob and lynched. "They covered his head, and they ripped his pants off and castrated him and hung him from the tree. A photographer took a picture showing the mob, one boy grinning at the camera, the body hanging, the legs covered by a blanket tied around the waist. The photo, reproduced as a postcard, was sold for many years in stores throughout the South." The events are straightforward, and Mamet leaves no doubt over the course of the story as to the final outcome. But he does not portray the events so much as he probes the state of mind of Leo Frank, never relenting from the terse, stylized language familiar to fans of his plays. At the beginning of The Old Religion, despite his awareness of the growing anti-Semitism in the South (or perhaps because of it), Frank suppresses his heritage as much as possible. Even at a seder, "he pronounced the word kosher gingerly, as if to say, I don't disclaim that I have heard it, but I do not wish to say it freely, as to arrogate it to myself on the mere precedent of blood." But as the trial goes on, we are shown Frank's growing realization that, although he has embraced the American way of life, it will not embrace him in return.

Genres: Fiction, Plays, Religion, Novels, Jewish, True Crime, Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

David Alan Mamet is an American author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter and film director. His works are known for their clever, terse, sometimes vulgar dialogue and arcane stylized phrasing, as well as for his exploration of masculinity.

As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997).

Mamet's recent books include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary, with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs. Godzilla, an acerbic commentary on the movie business.

Reviews

[MJ Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

The shocking tale of Leo Frank (a Jewish man wrongly convinced of murder in 1914 Georgia) is told in an unusual subdued manner in this second novel by legendary screenwriter, director, and latter-day Conservative crank David Mamet. Utilising a polished form of interior monologue, where Frank’s mental state remains inquisitive, lucid, and searching, and where the events of the trial and sentencing are more of a backdrop, strengthens the shock of the brutality happening around him. The meandering and pompous trains of thought that comprise the bulk of the novel showcase the depth of character research and skill with voice that inflames Mamet’s best stage and screen personnel, although some might find these digressions excessive. A quietly haunting telling of a scandalous racial tragedy.

[Alonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, sad book. Written in an experimental style that is a little difficult at first, but soon, I found myself lost in the main character's mind; which, by the way is where a lot of the book takes place.

This book is a strong cry against anti-Semitism, against racism, and several other "-isms." The novel is based on true events. The book jacket almost gives the whole thing away, but it's worth the read simply to experience Mamet's storytelling style.

I have never read anything like this, and that is not easy to say nowadays. The novel is experimental, literary fiction. And the literary fiction moniker is not just slapped on to give it some class, as it often is with fiction, today. This is a novel about character first. There is a plot, but it takes some time to get to it. There is much that many writing teachers would say, "You should cut that, it's not advancing the plot." And maybe that's right, but if it were cut, then it would no longer be David Mamet's book; it no longer stand out as it does.

Don't read this if you are easily bored because "nothing is happening." If you are that kind of reader, this book will most likely make you want to pull your hair out and throw the book across the room while you scream.....

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given Mamet's prominence as a dramatist I find it hard to understand why this superb novel is not better known. Based on the tragic story of Leo Frank, a Jewish business man who was lynched in 1914 for a murder he had not committed, this novel explores the fragile integration of Jews in the racist society of the Bible belt. Mamet does a wonderful job of trying to recreate the state of mind of Leo Frank in the days before the murder that's going to upend his life, during his trial and the few months he spends in prison. Mamet reflects on the difference between religion and superstition, Christians and Jews, truth and lies. The book has real philosophical depth while chronicling a shameful miscarriage of justice. Informed by Mamet's vast knowledge of the Talmud, the novel remains accessible thanks to his well-known ear for sharp dialogue.

[Brandy Boyd · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book took a terrible story, sucked the blood from it, gave it xanax, a horrible case of OCD, and made me roll my eyes from beginning to end. i would have said that the true story of a racially motivated set up and castration/lynching would be impossible to numb. lesson learned.

[suz]

I gave this book multiple attempts. But it stunk stunk stunk! I returned it to the library without getting through the first 20 pages. The writing style is not satisfying. The characters are flat. Drek.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tough read. Interesting at first, but fades.

[Carol Rizzardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how to rate this book. Mamet is always provocative, and this book is no exception. It is, however, challenging to read -- again, very typical of Mamet. I'm just not in a place in my life where I want challenging to read. Provocative, yes. Challenging, well, life is challenging enough right now.

[Alex Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good premise delivered weird

[Jonathan Gruber · Rating 1 out of 5]

interesting premise (the inner dialogue of leo frank) but too obtuse - might have worked as a play!

[Роман Іващенко · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Nate Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Julio Gagne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interested approach with 90% of it internal monologue

[Sue Roselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novella regarding the alleged rape of a white woman by a Jewish manager of a manufacturing company. Story is based upon the thoughts of the accused during his arrest. He is eventually lynched. Based on actual events in south during early 1900s. Amazing writing.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictionalized account of real events that occurred in Atlanta Georgia in 1913-1915. Leo Frank, a Jewish man in his late twenties who was the manager of a pencil factory, was wrongfully accused of the rape and murder of a thirteen-year-old girl who worked at the factory. He was indicted on scurrilous testimony, jailed, tried, convicted, and sentenced to die. While recovering from having his throat slashed by an inmate, he was abducted from the jailhouse infirmary by hooded men and hung by a mob. Although less than 200 pages, this short novel required my full attention. Mamet's prose is not easy.

The novel, play-like, is composed of connected vignettes rather than a linear narrative of events.Throughout, the focus is on Leo Frank's complex thoughts and state of mind.

As I read the last sixty or so pages, my rating dropped from four stars to three stars. Although the psychological probing is interesting, I would have preferred at least some linear narrative, more fleshing out of details and much more character development. Reading the novel, one learns practically nothing about the murdered girl and her circumstances, or the pencil factory janitor who had a history of drinking and violence and whose testimony was crucial in convicting Mr. Frank, or of the hell-bent prosecutor.

I recommend finding out the basic facts of the case first. Otherwise, prospective readers may lose interest from lack of a larger context.

[Michael Lackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times stilted, this book is worth reading nonetheless. Brilliantly charts the evolution of Leo Frank's thinking as he figures out why he has been unjustly convicted for the murder of a young factory girl. At first, Frank is an undisciplined thinker, and his inner monologues betray his simple mindedness. But as his trial progresses, he hones his thinking ability and starts to make some crucial discoveries about anti-Black and anti-Semitic racism in the United States. The book is certainly worth reading. But it is not as engaging as it could be.

[Diogenes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although based on historical fact, this is more about the imagined personal philosophy of a Jewish man accused, 'tried and convicted of the rape-murder of a 13 year old girl than it is about an 'old religion'. It highlights the latent antisemitism of the locale and era in the way evidence was ignored and prejudice was instigated. This is not any easy read, nor is it a comfortable one.

[anique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another bargain find at my local bookshop, I picked this up in high school having no idea who David Mamet was or how little I'd understand this novel. I know if I went back and re-read the thing, I'd likely get it and probably enjoy it. But I've not done that. Instead State and Main became one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mamet has a gift for direct description and narrative concision. He sees the universal in the specific.

Reminds me of a DFW story in Brief Interviews where the victim of a horrendous act is in a unique and almost enviable position, having learned something about people which most of us will never see.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great experiment, if not a great novel. This true crime story is stripped of most of its physical details and instead presented as a series of fragmented interior monologues-- revealing at times but often too esoteric, too obtuse. Even after spending so much time in his head, the character feels opaque.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely did not like this. Also absolutely didn't understand this. Maybe I just didn't get it.

I thought I would just push through it. I kept thinking, I'm smart, I should get this, right? Then I realized summer is just too short for me to waste my time on this piece of crap. :)

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, Mamet's writing style is really best used in drama (stage or screen). There were some really powerful scenes in this book but the minimalist approach didn't allow me to learn much about the true story the novel is based on.

[Matthew Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me while to get Mamet's inner dialogue. Fascinating take on a shameful act in history. I loved this line:

"Perhaps the Christians are right, that we should take all we have and give to the poor...
if they would, I would."

[Susan Polcz/Volbrecht]

I'm only about 100 pages into this, but it's a different take on "true crime"...if you don't mind heavy introspection, you'd like it. In fact, if you like Nabakov, you'll like it.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing, like his plays.