St. Urbain’s Horseman (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Mordecai Richler
- First Published: 1971
- Type of Work: Impressionistic realism
- Time of Work: The late 1960s, with flashbacks to several years earlier
- Setting: London and Montreal
- Principal Characters: Jacob “Jake” Hersh, Harry Stein, Ruthy Stein, Joseph “Joey” Hersh, Nancy Hersh
- Genres: Long fiction, Impressionistic literature
- Subjects: Self-discovery, Sex or sexuality, Crime or criminals, Trials, Canada or Canadians, London, Ambition, Success or failure, Money, Heroes or heroism, Holocaust, Jewish
- Locales: London, England, Montreal, Canada
The Novel
In St. Urbain’s Horseman, Mordecai Richler uses cinematic techniques as he weaves together a number of different plot strands and cuts from one character to another. The most important elements of this complex plot are the fate and struggle for success of the main character, Jacob “Jake” Hersh; Harry Stein’s past and his role as a contrast and antagonist to the main character; a brief and spotty life of Joseph “Joey” Hersh, the Horseman of the title; and Jake’s fascination with him. Many of the chapters juxtapose one character to another. This...
[The entire page is 1521 words long]
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