"Snow in August" is a novel written by Pete Hamill, an American journalist and author. The book was first published in 1997. It is a coming-of-age story set in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1940s. The novel weaves together themes of friendship, faith, and the clash of cultures.
The story follows the friendship between an 11-year-old Irish Catholic boy named Michael Devlin and a Czechoslovakian rabbi named Judah Hirsch. The two form an unlikely bond, and their relationship is at the heart of the novel. The book explores the challenges of growing up in a multicultural neighborhood, with a focus on the tensions between the Irish and Jewish communities in post-World War II Brooklyn.
The title, "Snow in August," refers to a key event in the story when a supernatural event occurs during a snowstorm in August, involving the Golem of Prague, a legendary creature from Jewish folklore. This event plays a central role in the plot and underscores the novel's themes of faith, miracles, and the power of friendship.
Pete Hamill's writing in this novel captures the spirit of Brooklyn and the diverse, vibrant neighborhood in which the story is set. "Snow in August" has been praised for its well-drawn characters and its exploration of the challenges and triumphs of young Michael as he navigates the complexities of his world. It is a novel that combines elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and coming-of-age storytelling.
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