Weekend Reading Assignment
This book left a lot to be desired.
So why am I telling you to read John Baltisberger’s No Guilt of Bloodshed?
Well, because it’s educational.
In choosing books for the Weekend Writing Assignment, I’m not always aiming for books everyone will enjoy. This one came close to earning a DNF from me, which is incredibly rare.
The story is about a Ukrainian immigrant, Malechai, pursuing an Orthodox Priest who stole something from a synagogue back in Ukraine. The object in question, a small box, contains five demons Malechai must subdue before he can enter the church, defeat the priest, and reclaim his property.
So what do I want you to learn from No Guilt of Bloodshed?
1. Let Readers Reach Their Own Conclusions
The book describes the pogroms that took place at the hands of Ukraine’s Christian population against Ukrainian Jews. Reading about these brutal events, you can’t help but feel empathy for what the Jewish population suffered at the hands of Christians.
The problem I found was instead of naturally allowing me to come to the conclusion the Christians were the villains, I felt like Baltisberger forced the idea down my throat every chance he got. As a reader, this had the opposite effect of what he was trying to produce—instead of coming to hate the Christian priest, I found myself pulling away from Malechai because it felt like his beliefs were being forced on me.
2. Make Your Antagonist Matter
The main villain, an Orthodox priest, felt like an object of convenience instead of an actual, developed villain. Contrasted with the depth of Malachai’s character, it felt like the priest was simply cast as “evil Christian stereotype.”
He was there because Malachai needed someone to hate, not because he was an essential part of the plot. And that was disappointing. As an Orthodox Christian, I wanted to see how this asshole priest had managed to twist his beliefs to justify his appalling actions.
3. There’s Gold Even in Almost-DNFs
I loved the 100 foreskins subplot. Adding a golem was a brilliant move. The chapter set in Ukraine was brilliant. Reading No Guilt of Bloodshed made me research and learn more about the history of Ukrainian Judaism.
There’s great stuff even in books you don’t love. I did finish the book, in spite of the issues, and I think you should, too. The ending was strong, cute, and slightly unexpected.
So why am I telling you to read John Baltisberger’s No Guilt of Bloodshed?
Well, because it’s educational.
In choosing books for the Weekend Writing Assignment, I’m not always aiming for books everyone will enjoy. This one came close to earning a DNF from me, which is incredibly rare.
The story is about a Ukrainian immigrant, Malechai, pursuing an Orthodox Priest who stole something from a synagogue back in Ukraine. The object in question, a small box, contains five demons Malechai must subdue before he can enter the church, defeat the priest, and reclaim his property.
So what do I want you to learn from No Guilt of Bloodshed?
1. Let Readers Reach Their Own Conclusions
The book describes the pogroms that took place at the hands of Ukraine’s Christian population against Ukrainian Jews. Reading about these brutal events, you can’t help but feel empathy for what the Jewish population suffered at the hands of Christians.
The problem I found was instead of naturally allowing me to come to the conclusion the Christians were the villains, I felt like Baltisberger forced the idea down my throat every chance he got. As a reader, this had the opposite effect of what he was trying to produce—instead of coming to hate the Christian priest, I found myself pulling away from Malechai because it felt like his beliefs were being forced on me.
2. Make Your Antagonist Matter
The main villain, an Orthodox priest, felt like an object of convenience instead of an actual, developed villain. Contrasted with the depth of Malachai’s character, it felt like the priest was simply cast as “evil Christian stereotype.”
He was there because Malachai needed someone to hate, not because he was an essential part of the plot. And that was disappointing. As an Orthodox Christian, I wanted to see how this asshole priest had managed to twist his beliefs to justify his appalling actions.
3. There’s Gold Even in Almost-DNFs
I loved the 100 foreskins subplot. Adding a golem was a brilliant move. The chapter set in Ukraine was brilliant. Reading No Guilt of Bloodshed made me research and learn more about the history of Ukrainian Judaism.
There’s great stuff even in books you don’t love. I did finish the book, in spite of the issues, and I think you should, too. The ending was strong, cute, and slightly unexpected.