The Book of Daniel (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Book of Daniel is semi-historical novel by E. L. Doctorow
, loosely based on the trial and execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Doctorow tells the story of Paul & Rochelle Isaacson (the Rosenbergs) through the person of their older son, Daniel and his sister, Susan, who are both students heavily involved in 1960s student politics.
.
The book is written in four parts, and in each Daniel is the principal narrator; the narrative moves fluidly and rapidly between 1967 ('the present') and flashback (to the late 40s/early 50s), and between first and third person:-
. Lumet somewhat changes the emphasis of the novel, to concentrate more on 1940s left-wing politics of the parents. This was an era which Lumet had close personal experience of - however, the film is generally less well-regarded than the book.
In particular the introduction of Susan as the younger child, and her lingering death, is a clear attempt to distance the novel from being considered biographical, as the Rosenbergs had two sons.
Other key differences include - Rochelle is a graduate, Paul is not - (this is the reverse of the Rosenberg case, but perhaps makes for a stronger delineation of Rochelle's character). Mindish appears to be a fusion of two characters, Morton Sobell
and David Greenglass
.
A key scene (in part 1), is the family's attendance at the Robeson
concert at Peekskill
(1949); in the novel Paul leaves the bus to argue with the right-wing protesters and is violently set upon by them.
Another key scene has Daniel taking part in the 1967 anti-Vietnam war march on the Pentagon.
E. L. Doctorow
Edgar Lawrence Doctorow is an American author.- Biography :Edgar Lawrence Doctorow was born in the Bronx, New York City, the son of second-generation Americans of Russian Jewish descent...
, loosely based on the trial and execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Doctorow tells the story of Paul & Rochelle Isaacson (the Rosenbergs) through the person of their older son, Daniel and his sister, Susan, who are both students heavily involved in 1960s student politics.
Plot summary
Writing his thesis ('The Book of Daniel') Daniel investigates the background to his parents' conviction and execution with his adoptive parents (the Lewins). The final dénouement is the revisiting, in flashback, of the death of his parents, and in due course the death from nervous disorder (and attempted suicide) of Daniel's sister. The novel closes with the library in which Daniel is working being closed by student unrest, and Daniel closing his work with a parody of lines from Chapter 12 of the Biblical Book of DanielBook of Daniel
The Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, and his Judean companions, were inducted into Babylon during Jewish exile, and how their positions elevated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The court tales span events that occur during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar,...
.
The book is written in four parts, and in each Daniel is the principal narrator; the narrative moves fluidly and rapidly between 1967 ('the present') and flashback (to the late 40s/early 50s), and between first and third person:-
- 1. Memorial Day - Opens, in 1967, with Daniel, his young wife, Phyllis and baby Paul, walking to the sanatorium to see Susan; closes with the dropping of atom bomb in Japan
- 2. Halloween - closes with the lawyer, Ascher, telling Daniel and Susan of the forthcoming start of the Isaacsons' trial
- 3. Starfish - closes with Daniel's bruising involvement in an anti-draft march, whilst his sister (the starfish of the title) is lying dying from complications following her suicide attempt.
- Daniel says with irony to Phyllis through broken teeth '...It looks worse than it is. There was nothing to it. It is a lot easier to be a revolutionary nowadays than it used to be.'
- 4 Christmas - recalls the closing moments of the trial, including the key evidence from their co-accused, Selig Mindish; Daniel's later search for, and discovery of Mindish, now senile, in Disneyland; and the funerals of Daniel's parents and his sister Susan.
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
The book was subsequently (1983) made into a film, Daniel, directed by Sidney LumetSidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
. Lumet somewhat changes the emphasis of the novel, to concentrate more on 1940s left-wing politics of the parents. This was an era which Lumet had close personal experience of - however, the film is generally less well-regarded than the book.
Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
Neither the book nor the film make direct reference to the Rosenberg events (though Lumet did claim that the execution scene was 'as it happened').In particular the introduction of Susan as the younger child, and her lingering death, is a clear attempt to distance the novel from being considered biographical, as the Rosenbergs had two sons.
Other key differences include - Rochelle is a graduate, Paul is not - (this is the reverse of the Rosenberg case, but perhaps makes for a stronger delineation of Rochelle's character). Mindish appears to be a fusion of two characters, Morton Sobell
Morton Sobell
Morton Sobell is a former spy for the Soviet Union. Sobell was an American engineer working for General Electric and Reeves Electronics on military and government contracts. He was found guilty of spying for the Soviets , and sentenced to 30 years in prison...
and David Greenglass
David Greenglass
David Greenglass was an atomic spy for the Soviet Union who worked in the Manhattan project. He was the brother of Ethel Rosenberg.-Biography:...
.
A key scene (in part 1), is the family's attendance at the Robeson
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
concert at Peekskill
Peekskill Riots
The Peekskill Riots were anti-communist riots with anti-black and anti-Semitic undertonesthat took place at Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York in 1949. The catalyst for the rioting was an announced concert by black singer Paul Robeson, who was well known for his strong pro-trade union...
(1949); in the novel Paul leaves the bus to argue with the right-wing protesters and is violently set upon by them.
Another key scene has Daniel taking part in the 1967 anti-Vietnam war march on the Pentagon.