In the Heart of the Seas

by S.Y. Agnon, I.M. Lask (Translator)

In the Heart of the Seas is a sophisticated fantasy that tells the story of a pilgrimage of a group of Hasidim to the Holy Land. During an early decade of the nineteenth century in Bucsacz, S.Y. Agnon's actual birthplace, a small group of pious townspeople decides to sell their property and belongings, put aside their business affairs, and make their way to the Holy Land to spend the remainder of their days in study and prayer.
    The pilgrims are joined by a simple Jew by the name of Hananya, who carries all of his possessions in a kerchief and who has encountered many obstacles and privations in his longstanding efforts to reach Jerusalem. He not only completes their minyan but also drives one of the wagons and provides the practical know-how that enables the faithful to negotiate the long journey from Eastern Europe to Constantinople.
    Along the way many Jewish settlements are encountered and described and many legends about the Holy Land are told. Hananya is late to the ship's departure from Constantinople to the Holy Land because he is busy reading the Agunah, and unaware of his absence, the faithful embark upon the tempest-tossed voyage without him. When they arrive in Jaffa, Hananya is there before them, having flown over the seas transported on his "magical" kerchief. Settled in Jerusalem, the members of the group experience a mixture of fates, and it is only Hananya who lives to a contented old age.

Named by Harper San Francisco one of "The 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century" and among Harold Bloom's selections for The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages .

The Wisconsin edition is not for sale in the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, or the traditional British Commonwealth (excluding Canada.)

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Nobel Prize, Historical Fiction, Israel, Jewish, Literature

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

also known as Shai Agnon

Dramatic novels in Hebrew of Polish-born Israeli writer Shmuel Yosef Agnon include A Guest for the Night (1939); he shared the Nobel Prize of 1966 for literature.

"For his profoundly characteristic narrative art with motifs from the life of the Jewish people," he shared this award with Nelly Sachs. He died in Jerusalem, Israel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuel_...

Reviews

[K.D. Absolutely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shmuel Yosef Agnon (1888-1970) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1966 "for his profoundly characteristic narrative art with motifs from the life of the Jewish people."

The book is basically about a group of Jewish men (rabbis mostly) from Poland who decides to go to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This book was first published in 1947 so I guess the setting is sometime that period when Holocaust was on-going in Europe. However, there is no mention of Holocaust, Hitler or anything about them but the book seems or feels like an allegory. I put those in italics because I could not establish the connection except that the final destination, i.e., Jerusalem, at the last two chapters of the story becomes similar to heaven or afterlife. Given the reason for his Nobel award in 1966, is the intent of the book to console the grieving Jews for their executed or killed loved ones? That their persecution, agony, hunger leading to eventual mass deaths are all like the the pilgrimage in the book that will lead them to heaven with God?

If this is what the book wants to imply, I'd like to give this book a full thumbs up. However, I just couldn't make the connection and reading existing reviews in Goodreads as well as in Wiki, doesn't provide that too. What I am trying to say is that I have a very limited knowledge about Jewish life (the reason for Agnon's award) so I was not really able to understand what words, terms and phrases Agnon used in this book. I was already done reading when I found out that there was a Glossary at the back. I went back to some of the pages but still I think I lack in-depth Jewish knowledge that is needed for me to fully appreciate this book. I have a feeling that I missed many of the meanings that the allegories are actually representing in real life.

The mood of the storytelling that is told by a third person but in the point-of-view of the main protagonist, a man called Hananiah is ethereal and sublime. There are 9 rabbis that are there first and they accept Hananiah as the final person to join them in the pilgrimage. At some point, reading the book felt like reading Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (4 stars) but when the stories in it begin to have strong biblical (OT) references, it felt more like Paul Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (3 stars). Anyway, I liked both of these earlier reads so I have no issues with this book really.

My brother told me that this book is a hard-to-find one being out of print already. I agree. I bought this from Amazon and if I remember it right, there was one copy left (this copy) and it said "One Last Copy! Place the order within 3 days!" I am happy I did.

[Arukiyomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s a strange book. I spent most of this picaresque account of a group of Jewish friends attempting to reach Jerusalem on a pilgrimage from the Ukraine trying to figure out why it’s on the 1001 books list.

Unfortunately, reading the entry in the 1001 Books book didn’t really enlighten me much. I’m aware, from the cover of the book, that Agnon was a Nobel Prize-Winner. I thus thought that perhaps it is the legacy of this book which makes its importance. It’s certainly not the plot, characters, style or other things that I usually rate a book on.

Digging around on the web, I did discover that Agnon is pretty much the apogee of modern Hebrew literature and figures largely in the identity of the nation. And, this novel, understandably from a Jewish point of view with its focus on the seemingly unattainable prize of reaching Jerusalem, would have been a common theme among the diaspora when the book was written in 1933.

The group of friends who embark on this pilgrimage do so with their only knowledge of Jerusalem coming from their scriptures. It’s almost a fantastical place which they strive to remind themselves is real and will be attainable if only they persevere against the many barriers that lie in their path. Much of this short book is taken up not so much with the journey as discussions among the friends as they stop off on the way.

This is one of those books that broadens your understanding of what’s important in other literary cultures. For that reason, I’m glad I read it.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.9. Gershom Scholem famously called Agnon “A Jew’s Jew,” and it’s very apparent in this work, for this is a brief, devoutly religious novel that gives an insight into the life and feelings of Jews during the Aliyah: the optimism, the determination, the devotion, and the kindness of strangers. The book reads like an old tale, and has some autobiographical elements. It feels like a step back in time to the pre-wwii period. There is no hint of what will later happen.
I can see why he and Nelly Sachs jointly won the Nobel prize. I have not read anything by her yet but I have heard that she wrote while enormously impacted by wwii and the holocaust; Agnon writes of a time before all of that, and was living in Israel before the war started. Perhaps that’s why they both won together: one wrote of the pre-war, and one wrote of war and its aftermath.

Sidenote:I found it kind of sad that the copy I own used to belong to a Jewish congregation/synagogue but at some point must’ve been phased out of the library or something like that.

[Vasha7]

This is a story about a party of men and women who, during the early 19th century, set out from Buczacz in Poland (the author's home town) to go to Jerusalem. The itinerary they follow is real, but everything is related in a style, somewhere between folktale and scripture, that makes it sound like an allegory. There are lots of prayers, parables, and miracles; nothing is mentioned by chance; the party finds few physical hindrances (in fact they're welcomed wherever they go) but overcome spiritual obstacles.

I can't find much to comment on as a reader; it left me, unfamiliar with Hassidic thought, pretty baffled. However, it's told in a smooth style that makes it easy to read.

[Philip Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet story about a group of zionists who make their way from Poland to Israel before Israel existed. It gives a clear insight into the mentality and fervent belief that drives this group to travel into the unknown and to brave the storms and adventures of such a long journey. The language is stylised and formal as befits such a religious group and it feels like an excellent charcoal sketch than a full colour oil painting but it is very effective and well written. A book that shows a great economy with words.

[Monty Milne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange little book which I didn’t really warm to. The odd naïve style is not something I really liked. I get that it is supposed to convey a semi mythical sense; it’s just that there were some aspects I found a bit tedious. The Rhyming competition, for example, I thought absurd and unbelievable. And as for the poems, at one point the author says “We have perhaps preserved too many of these incantations…” This was a sentiment with which I wholeheartedly agreed.

The Jews who are the heroes of this tale are frequently compared with the Gentiles they encounter, and although not all the Gentiles are bad, there are many smug comparisons between the virtuous Chosen People and those not in that blessed category. I have to say this left me rather cold.

I looked up the author’s home town of Buczacz to discover the history of its Jewish community. Alas, that history is even more horrific than I expected. Agnon was very lucky to escape when he did. Eastern European Jewish culture was certainly very strange, at least to me, but it is nevertheless a great loss to Europe and the world that it was so cruelly and violently extirpated. There is no whisper of this in the text, which stands in a sense outside of history; but it is something that one cannot forget. This imparts a certain melancholic nostalgia. Journey’s end, at Jerusalem, is both a signpost to hope and a suggestion that hope will never be fulfilled if it is sought for amongst the Gentiles in one’s home town, which can never really be home. And aren’t we all, Gentile or Jew, exiles on a weary pilgrimage, forever looking for a homeland just beyond our reach?

[Alfonso D'agostino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hanania, uomo umile e pio nel senso più profondo del termine, che conserva in uno straccio il pochissimo che possiede e che con questa povertà ha girato il mondo, si unisce a un gruppo di ebrei polacchi e li guida verso il ritorno alla Città Santa.

In un viaggio costellato da imprevisti, racconti biblici, sogni, improvvise intuizioni che supera di poco le 150 pagine e le due ore di lettura, S. Y. Agnon – Nobel per la letteratura nel 1966 – naviga in un misticismo spruzzato di ironia letteraria ebraica, contrapponendo il racconto di una ricerca spirituale che muove il cuore e i piedi a un presente di lontananza dalla terra madre, idealizzata e ricercata più religiosamente che politicamente: il romanzo è datato 1926 (e mostra tutti i suoi anni), e mostra perfettamente come il tema della Diaspora e il sogno del ritorno poggino su una tradizione davvero millenaria e siano decisamente precedenti alle orribili annate del nazifascismo.

Nonostante la dimensione limitata, non semplicissimo da affrontare: hai la costante impressione di una lettura che valga una riflessione profonda, ma ne avverti – o almeno è stata la mia esperienza – la distanza, perchè ti sembra di abbandonarti a una banale empatia che non puoi comprendere con la pienezza necessaria. Ma vale un tentativo, senza dubbio.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a fascinating read!! Definitely requires a certain familiarity with Judaism, but I loved how Agnon interwove the realistic elements with mystical/supernatural elements. Realistic elements surround the rabbis and their wives journey to Jerusalem and the both realistic and legendary struggles they face on the way (mosquitos "as big as frogs" for example). Following certain hardships, Hananiah, the only occasionally appearing central figure of the novelette, was given the idea by G-d to spread out his handkerchief on the sea and sit on it.
The story continues in this manner until the travellers reach Jerusalem, recording cultural practices on the way. But the book ends on the following note: "Some will read my book as a man reads legends, while others will read it and derive benefit for themselves."
I think that's such a fascinating way of ending a religious folklore story and clever to put the onus on the readers perception of the empirical world. (Abadi 1995)

Lastly, Agnon mentions a mystery delicious vegetable they encounter in Jerusalem. My guess is okra, or maybe aubergine (no clue if Poland commonly had aubergines during the early 20th century) but I'm very miffed that Agnon didn't drop the recipe for this fried legendary veggie!!!!

[Elena Tamborrino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solo per la mia inadeguatezza non sono stata capace di apprezzare questo libro, di cui ho comunque percepito la preziosità e la complessità. Il mondo ebraico appare difficile e distante, occorre un bagaglio culturale non indifferente e una profonda conoscenza delle Scritture, dei riti, dei significati che stanno dietro ogni gesto dei protagonisti di questa storia corale che narra del viaggio di un gruppo di ebrei della Galizia polacca verso Israele. Ogni luogo attraversato nasconde un incanto, sembra quasi di passare dalle città invisibili di Calvino. Correda il volumetto un apparato di note che rimanda ai passi biblici citati nel testo, oltre che un glossario prezioso per avvicinarsi alla cultura ebraica. Comunque resta un testo affascinante.

[Perlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure this would be best read as part of a class taught by a knowledgeable professor. Agnon's story has the tone of a Baal Shem Tov story, and he is a master of his genre. It's hard to know where mystical tradition ends and fiction begins. He weaves in verses, alludes to midrashim and commentaries, and creates a story that lulls you on its currents.

[Daniel Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le périple de quelques juifs hassidiques fuyant les pogroms de l'Europe de l'Est pour la Palestine.

Quelques éléments surnaturels teintent une histoire somme toute convenue et même un peu banale. Pas le meilleur Agnon.

[Kåre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Handler om jøder, der længes efter at komme til det forjættede land. Den er meget religiøs og jødisk. Den er næppe for mig, for disse religiøse længsler kan jeg ikke følge. Meget er også obskurt, så kedelig.

[Smoothfin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a style of part folktale and part travelogue, some flavor of Gogol at times.Gives a taste the culture of the Ashkenazi Jews of that period wrapped up in a folk tale.

[Lidia Pasin]

Questo è un testo breve che si potrebbe facilmente leggere in un paio d'ore sospinti dal susseguirsi di immagini, quadri quasi, che ci restituiscono il viaggio di un gruppo di ebrei ashkenaziti attraverso l'Europa orientale verso Gerusalemme. Carri, villaggi, locande, briganti, la campagna moldava, Iasi, Istanbul, il Mar Nero, marinai, capitani di navi, traghettatori arabi, mercanti, imperatori e sultani, rabbi, fanno la loro comparsa in questa storia che è narrata come fosse una leggenda, con la lingua degli oggetti di tutti i giorni, degli abiti consunti, delle scarpe bucate, delle scodelle sbeccate e una lingua che al contempo incede maestosa e piana, intessuta di parole preziose e inattese. Nelle pieghe del racconto si cela il narratore: è forse quello, tra i convocati, del cui nome s'è persa memoria? O è semplicemente quell'io che si decide finalmente a scrivere un “libro su tutta l'avventura di Hanania”: “e lo intitolai Nel cuore dei mari...Nulla ho omesso di ciò che ho sentito, né ho aggiunto nulla a ciò che mi narrava la mia anima”. Anche l'autore occhieggia dalla sua stesa creazione: “Shmuel Yosef figlio di rabbi Shalom Mordekhai il levita, di buona memoria, grande conoscitore di leggende della terra d'Israele (quelle che si narrano per santificare il nome del Santo Benedetto), che quando iniziava a elogiare la terra sembrava quasi che avesse il Sacro Nome di Dio inciso sulla punta della lingua”. E chi è Hanania, che improvvisamente compareprima della partenza, ospite inatteso? Subito amato come il migliore tra tutti loro, scelto come guida, e ciononostante anch'egli dimenticato, lasciato indietro. O forse, misteriosamente, è lui a decidere di scomparire per poi riapparire ai convocati, precedendoli a Gerusalemme?
Vola sull'acqua, riconosciuto dal lettore ma non dai suoi compagni di viaggio. Sopravvive loro. Sa riannodare i fili di una piccola storia tra quelle numerose narrate dai personaggi e che rendono Nel cuore dei mari anche un gioco di aneddoti fiabeschi sentiti dire e ricordati, uno dentro l'altro, uno di seguito all'altro, raccontati e ascoltati intorno al fuoco serale, accovacciati, nelle pause tanto attese di un lungo viaggio. Dipana, riannoda e porta a compimento un fatto di cui era stato testimone in passato e il racconto di esso: il ricordo, la ricerca e il riconoscimento dei filatteri e del destino di Zusha l'arciladrone. E' proprio a questo punto che Hanania scompare. E' proprio per poter svelare il travisamento e scongiurare l'oblio che Hanania si perde tra la folla di Kushta la Grande, Istanbul?

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Title should actually show: In the Heart of the Seas.)
Interesting book by Nobel Prize winner, Shmuel Yosef Agnon. Mr. Agnon deals with the clash between traditionalism in the Jewish faith and modern dealings in the faith and the conflict with traditional members of the Jewish faith and society as a whole. Parablistic story of a group of Russian Jews leave all of their earthly possessions behind as they journey to Israel...the Promised Land...to partake of the higher things. Some extremely interesting things in the book, from a cultural point of view. Quick read.

[Stantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystical tale from a master of Jewish scripture, I read it in one sitting, I will return and re read it with deep interest. At one level it is a travel pilgrimage to Jerusalem by a group of Rabbis, at another level it is the journey of the wandering Jews, in exile, to the new Israel, yet another level, at is the spiritual alchemy of the soul to the Kingdom of God. As a Christian I have studied some scripture, which helps appreciate this treasure of a story.

[Haythem]

I want to read this book

[Manuela Danieli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romanzo scritto con lo stile di un racconto yiddish pieno di ironia e leggerezza. Storia di un gruppo di uomini che lasciano il loro stedtel per recarsi in Eretz pieni di ingenua fiducia e fantasia

[Tamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

very gentle