A powerful, sad book. Written in an experimental style that is a little difficult at first, but soon, I found myself lost in the main character's mind; which, by the way is where a lot of the book takes place.

This book is a strong cry against anti-Semitism, against racism, and several other "-isms." The novel is based on true events. The book jacket almost gives the whole thing away, but it's worth the read simply to experience Mamet's storytelling style.

I have never read anything like this, and that is not easy to say nowadays. The novel is experimental, literary fiction. And the literary fiction moniker is not just slapped on to give it some class, as it often is with fiction, today. This is a novel about character first. There is a plot, but it takes some time to get to it. There is much that many writing teachers would say, "You should cut that, it's not advancing the plot." And maybe that's right, but if it were cut, then it would no longer be David Mamet's book; it no longer stand out as it does.

Don't read this if you are easily bored because "nothing is happening." If you are that kind of reader, this book will most likely make you want to pull your hair out and throw the book across the room while you scream..... ( )

The old religion by the American author David Mamet picks up an interesting theme, which is dealt with lacking passion. The opening chapters create a strong and lasting impression of the history of antisemitism in the United States, which keeps hovering as a dark cloud over the story. However, to Leo Frank, the main character, economic success in the second decade of the Twentieth Century has made those memories of his grand-parents in the 1860s seem far away. When Frank is falsely accused of murder, he is fully confident that he will be acquitted. The novel describes his mental states throughout the stages of the trial and his imprisonment. It shows Frank's disdain about the Gentiles who put him through this chore, which he seems sure will soon end. However, Frank is sentenced to life imprisonment, and toward the end of the book he is mobbed and lynched.

While the theme of the novel is interesting, the understated way of telling the story, makes for rather bloodless descriptions, and ultimately a rather uninteresting book. ( )

I recently finished David Mamet’s novel The Old Religion, published in 1997. As you might expect if you know Mamet’s films, the novel is dark. It is a reimagining of the true story of Leo Frank, a factory owner who lived in Georgia in the early twentieth century and who was falsely accused of rape and murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, but during a hospital stay was abducted by a mob and lynched. He was a victim of an anti-semitic culture looking for an outlet for its rage.

The point of the novel isn’t what happens, which is a good thing since the book’s publishers tell you everything (as I have done here) on the back cover. The point is to explore what goes on in the mind of the main character, Leo Frank, and to capture from that perspective what it might feel like to be falsely accused. The book is made up of very short chapters that explore scenes of Frank’s life and give you his thoughts on whatever is occurring, serious or mundane. The book begins before the accusation and trial, so we see Frank among his friends, relaxing, talking, pondering philosophical and political questions. He is a very thoughtful, sensitive, analytical person, and when we finally learn about the rape and murder charges and the trial begins, it’s a shock to see him so badly misunderstood and villainized.

Read the rest of the review at Of Books and Bicycles