The Elected Member

THE ELECTED MEMBER
by Bernice Rubens

 Award: Booker 1970

 Date Read: July 10, 2019

 The Elected Member chronicles a pivotal time in the Zweck family, devout Jews who love each other deeply but have almost irretrievably  messed up their relationships. Norman, in particular, is the center of this tale as his drug addiction results in paranoia and hallucinations. Norman's siblings are equally challenged. Bella is unmarried, living at home and beholden to her father and brother, frozen in time and space and still wearing her childhood ankle socks. Esther, at one time the golden daughter, is estranged for her choice and manner of marriage.

 As Norman is sent to a psychiatric hospital again, events from the past come rushing into the present and the Zweck family is forced to confront themselves and their role in the family's deterioration. While Rabbi Zweck, the pater familias, would prefer Norman get well and everything return to exactly as it was, clearly this is impossible. 

 Several key moments in this novel struck me as odd. I would assume that a drug user would realize that his hallucinations are exactly that and keep those observations to themselves in an effort to continue their addiction unhindered. I was further dismayed that the topic of incest between Norman and Bella was mentioned but never returned to or dealt with. In fact, no moral judgement by the author was passed on this pivotal revelation. 

 The Elected Member relates primarily to Norman as the scapegoated member of the family, the outsider or black sheep of the family and the elected coroner of David's and the Minister's deaths. 

 All in all, I enjoyed this novel and found Rubens' writing superb.

 Looking Forward: A Five Year Sentence

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