In this richly layered novel, acclaimed author Steve Stern intertwines history, mysticism, and dark humor to explore the aftermath of the Holocaust and the enduring power of redemption.

The narrative follows two distinct yet thematically connected characters:

• Gershom Scholem: The renowned scholar of Jewish mysticism is commissioned by the Hebrew University in 1946 to recover sacred Jewish texts looted by the Nazis. As he journeys through the devastated landscapes of Europe, Scholem grapples with the irony of salvaging books that have outlived their owners, leading him to confront the mystical teachings he once studied purely academically.

• Menke Klepfisch: A fictional shtetl jester whose antics both amuse and unsettle. Living in the Polish village of Zyldzce during the Nazi occupation, Menke uses humor as a means of resistance and survival, embodying the concept of the "holy fool" found in Jewish tradition.

Though their paths never cross, Scholem and Menke are connected through a mysterious kabbalistic text and their shared use of humor to confront unimaginable horrors. Stern's narrative delves into themes of loss, memory, and the mystical aspects of Jewish identity, offering a unique perspective on the challenges of preserving culture amidst devastation.