A Narrow Bridge by J.J. Gesher, Prospect Park Books, © 2016; ISBN 9781938-849824; 278 pages.
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – This novel tells of the aftermath of a fictional terrorist bus bombing in Brooklyn that takes the lives of Jacob’s young family.
Jacob, a young cantor and teacher in an Orthodox shul, witnessed the bus blown to smithereens – a sight so traumatizing that, suffering the civilian equivalent of PTSD, he suddenly bolted from the shiva being conducted at his home, and took a train and then a bus for parts unknown. Sleeping through most of the journey, he wound up exhausted, almost comatose, on the steps of a small African-American church in a rural southern town.
At first mistaken for a transient and an alcoholic, Jacob remained mute when people asked him questions, but at the same time he evinced a willingness, even enthusiasm, to perform manual labor. In so doing, he won an offer of room and board in the basement of the church in exchange for his labor.
This novel lovingly follows poor Jacob as he ever-so-gradually emerges from the protective mental fog in which he was enveloped and begins to participate in church life, while continuing – in his own mind at least – to safeguard his Jewish identity.
In addition to Jacob, we learn about Rosie –an African-American divorcee—who initially is repulsed by Jacob but later is drawn to him as glimpses of his true character emerge.
This is an enjoyable, optimistic novel about how people – despite cultural, religious and racial differences – can find comfort in each other’s common humanity. It makes for very fine reading.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)