It’s been, as we say here in Australia, a long time between drinks for Mr. Elliot Perlman. One of my favourite Australian writers, his last novel (Seven Types of Ambiguity) came out back in 2003. After such a long gap between outings, we were all expecting something substantial for his next book, and in this sense nobody could be disappointed. The Street Sweeper, an epic tale of history, chance and heroism, runs to almost 550 pages, and (as you can see in my photo) weighs as much as a book of this gravity ought to…
Meanwhile, in another part of New York, newly-released convict Lamont Williams, having spent years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, is taking the first steps towards rebuilding his life, working on probation in maintenance in a large cancer hospital. One morning, he meets an elderly Jewish man, Henryk Mandelbrot, outside the entrance to the hospital – an encounter which will have unforeseen ramifications for Lamont, Adam and many other people we will get to know.
The more we read, the more interested we become. We begin to see the links between the seemingly unconnected stories, and we also form attachments to the characters whose lives we are following, whether they are in the infamous death camps, run-down Chicago tenements or chic New York bars. From the initial, information-laden account, Perlman gradually develops a fascinating, intriguing story – one which ultimately rests on the people behind the history.
One example is the insistence of a struggle for equality through the US legal system, a quest for equality echoed in one of the Jewish characters’ attempts to educate Poles about Jewish history and culture in the mid-1930s. Another centres around stars: while most people will know of the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear in the Third Reich, fewer will know of the way African-American workers were identified in factories – by the use of pencilled black stars on their time cards…
This sense of solidarity between two oppressed minorities is shown in a scene where a white woman refuses to serve a Black worker in her café. When her father, an older Jewish man, comes out, he apologises and says:
“Don’t make trouble for the girl. She was born here so…” The old man seemed unsure how to finish the sentence.
“So what?” asked Tommy Parks
“So she thinks she’s white.” p.376 (Vintage, 2011)
“So it was true, and here he was, face-to-face with the truth. He has seen people die in the ghetto but he had never seen anything like this. So many bodies, inert, stacked hurriedly one on top of the other, a vast hill of them, a small mountain, so recently people. Here, Mandelbrot thought, was the end of every slur, racial or religious, every joke, every sneer directed against the Jews.” p.349
There are many, many things which could be said about this book, but I’m not going to attempt to discuss all of them – I am aware of the irony of criticising a book’s lengthy opening in a review which itself outstays its welcome… This is a book which requires, almost demands, rereading, both for an understanding of its dense subject matter and to fully understand the intricate plotting of a novel which is almost Victorian in scope. To finish, apart from urging you to read The Street Sweeper, I’ll leave you with a quotation on the overarching theme of the book, racism:
“The enemy”, Jake Zignelik explained, “is racism. But see, racism isn’t a person. It’s a virus that infects people. It can infect whole towns and cities, even whole countries. Sometimes you can see it in people’s faces when they’re sick with it. It can paralyse even good people. It can paralyse government. We have to fight that wherever we find it. that’s what good people do.” p.29
Now, if that doesn’t make you think, nothing will…
First, loved the quotes that you included. It appears that book is also witty and funny is some places? I live books with heavy themes which also contain an element of mystery, which serves to relieve the pressure somewhat. I haven't heard of Perlman before but I'm adding the book to my wishlist. Jewish and African-American suffering when combined can be such a conflicted and heavily contested space. Sounds like the writer handles it well. Thank you.
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Not a reader I'm aware off, so thanks & another addition to my understanding of all things Australian.
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Reminds me of Sartre. He wrote something about racism and said the words could be exchanged, you could write Jews, African-Americans or – surprise – women. Oppression always works the same way.
I guess Perlman is of Jewish origins, at least the name would say so.
Sounds like an interesting writer.
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This sounds very heavy, but very interesting as well. I am not sure I could handle it right now, but I will put it on my list for when my life is a little more quiet.
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It may be my kind of book. It had a Sebaldian feel to me. I'll be on the lookout for this.
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Kinna – I've been trying to add some more of the writers' words recently, something I'm a bit lazy about usually! But no, I wouldn't say there was a lot of humour in this one – definitely not that kind of book…
Gary – Don't worry; I've only really caught up with a lot of Australian writing since beginning my blog 🙂
Caroline – That is definitely the impression you get (and I'm sure a writer like Perlman would have been aware of that!). He is a very interesting writer, but not exactly prolific 😦
Iris – I think that's a good idea – it's not one for a breezy Sunday afternoon 🙂
Rise – I'm sure you'd enjoy it, and I'd recommend his previous book, 'Seven Types of Ambiguity as well' (another monster of a book, told in seven different voices).
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Sounds intriguing!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
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It's an interesting read, but one that requires a lot of attention 🙂
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Good review Tony … So many ways to discuss this book. My only addition to your review is that while the subject matter is a departure fis overall concern is the same … Moral/ ethical behaviour. That's what I love about Perlman … In addition to his great stories and characters.
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Whisperinggums – That's true 🙂 I was surprised to see in a comment on your post that Geordie Williamson slated it. As I said above, I was doubtful after 100 pages, but I thought he pulled it off. Mr. Williamson obviously didn't agree…
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