The King of Schnorrers

The King of Schnorrers (1893) is a novel by Israel Zangwill that portrays the struggles of London's Jewish community. He dedicated his career to advocating for the rights of the voiceless and oppressed, and his novels and stories were powerful witnesses to their suffering. The novel is a satire that earned Zangwill comparisons to Dickens and Twain and established him as an author with a gift for character study and political themes. This edition of the novel is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

Israel Zangwill's novel, The King of Schnorrers, published in 1893, delves into the lives of a group of Jewish beggars in London. Raised by parents from Latvia and Poland, Zangwill had a firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by the city's Jewish community. Having overcome poverty himself, he dedicated his career to advocating for the voiceless, oppressed, and needy, often depicted in his powerful novels and stories of the Victorian era. During a time when England denied Jews civic rights except for the payment of taxes, a class of Schnorrers, or beggars, was forced to survive through the charity of others. On Sabbath days, the entrances to London's synagogues were crowded with groups of these men, seeking a small token of brotherhood from more recent immigrants or those not yet driven to poverty.

One such character is Joseph Grobstock, a successful merchant who emerges from the service on a Sabbath day. He is accosted by a man, Manasseh Bueno Barzillai Azevedo da Costa, a Sephardi, who appeals to his charitable nature. Grobstock, in a moment of insult, throws a penny at the man, causing laughter among the other Schnorrers. In retaliation, Barzillai curses Grobstock, who proceeds to argue in an attempt to preserve his honor.

The King of Schnorrers is a brilliant satire that earned Zangwill comparisons to Dickens and Twain upon its publication. It helped establish him as an author with a gift for intensive character study and a passion for political themes. This edition of the novel, with its beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, presents a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513134000