C 2023

Free Will, Kabbalah, Human Nature, and Messiah: Chaim Cigan’s Time Cruise via Parallel Histories and Identities

WEISS, Michaela

Basic information

Original name

Free Will, Kabbalah, Human Nature, and Messiah: Chaim Cigan’s Time Cruise via Parallel Histories and Identities

Authors

WEISS, Michaela (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

1. vyd. Lanham, Jewish Fantasy Worldwide: Trends in Speculative Stories from Australia to Chile, p. 137-153, 17 pp. Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2023

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Kapitola resp. kapitoly v odborné knize

Field of Study

60206 Specific literatures

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Publication form

printed version "print"

RIV identification code

RIV/47813059:19240/23:A0001151

Organization unit

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava

ISBN

978-1-6669-2660-6

Keywords in English

Czechoslovak Jewish Fantasy; Parallel Histories; Jewish Science Fiction; Hyperspace in fiction; Parralel identities

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 26/1/2024 06:00, doc. PhDr. Michaela Weiss, Ph.D.

Abstract

V originále

The paper discusses the representation of Jewish identity and history in the Communist Eastern European space in Chaim Cigan’s trilogy In the Middle of Nowhere (2014-2016). The novels offer a unique fusion of Cabala, fantasy, and science fiction, featuring parallel and alternative histories, time travel, aliens, and Greek mythology. Despite the popular and grotesque, genre-bending form, Chaim Cigan (a pen name of Karol Sidon, the Czech Chief Rabbi) presents a complex image of Jewish tradition and poses serious questions concerning the individual and collective identity and responsibility, as well as visions and (alternative) versions of Eastern European history, ranging from the Exodus to a 21st century military attack on the still existing Austro-Hungarian Empire.