God's Grace

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God's Grace
Godsgrace1sted.jpg
First edition
Author Bernard Malamud
LanguageEnglish
Genre Post-apocalyptic fiction
Publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date
1982
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
ISBN 0-380-64519-X
LC Class 82-11880
Preceded by Dubin's Lives  
Followed byThe Stories of Bernard Malamud (1983) 

God's Grace is the final novel (his eighth) written by American author Bernard Malamud, published in 1982 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The novel focuses on Calvin Cohn, the supposed sole survivor of thermonuclear war and God's second Flood, who attempts to rebuild and perfect civilization amongst the primates that make their way onto a tropical island.

Contents

Plot

The book is divided into six parts, The Flood, Cohn's Island, The Schooltree, The Virgin in the Trees, The Voice of the Prophet and God's Mercy.

Characters

Main characters

Chimpanzees

Two groups of chimpanzees arrive on Cohn's Island at separate points.

  • Esau – arrogant, self-proclaimed "alpha-ape." Though Cohn tries to mediate the ape, he is constantly in conflict with Cohn, Buz, or both.
  • Mary Madelyn – a inhibited, intelligent ape with more "human" ideals than her peers. Being the only young female, she is constantly the subject of sexual advances.
  • Melchior – an old, tired ape who is highly respected by the others. When Esau fails, Melchior assumes his role as leader.
  • Luke, and Saul of Tarsus – juvenile twin apes. They are slow to speech, mischievous, and highly influenced by Esau.
  • Hattie, Esterhazy, Bromberg

Others

Critical reception

God's Grace has not received the same critical acclaim as have some of his previous works. Many have noted that it is much more dramatic than earlier writings. John Leonard, a reviewer for the New York Times wrote that the book, "[it] groans under the weight of its many meanings." [1] Another New York Times writer called it "charming and foolish, topical and farfetched, provocative and innocent," [2] also noting that its meaning and symbolism were direct and cumbersome.

References

  1. "The New York Times: Book Review Search Article". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  2. novel, ALAN LELCHUK; Alan Lelchuk's new; Forties, In Her; Year, Will Be Published Next (August 29, 1982). "Malamud's Dark Fable". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Further reading