Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-11-25
Another Messinic Jew
(The Unearthy. by Robert Hichens, Cosmopolitan
Book Corp.)
BY MARTIN GOLDE Is. A.

The arrival of Jiddu Krishnamurti in this country
made 1t more than ever evident that the public look
ing Tor some sort of savior whether it be an indi-
Ndual a plan. We are of the opinion however
that this word-isgong dogs attitude is purely
chronic, and is not reaction the evils of our own
particular time
Robert Hichens, known in this country primarily
for "Thc Garden of Allah" seems also to believe that
the world is begging for salvation In his latest novel;
The Unearthly, he selects a Jew the new Messiah
There is why this redeemer should be of the
Hebrew rather than from, any other brt we pre
sumo that Hchens wishes to maintain the tradition of
Christs people. In fact, Peter Kharkoff might as well
be Hindu, insofar as Characterization is concerned
Hchens, We believe, has erred in making him a jew
1or he has thus compelled comparisons to types, and
thus deprecated the value of his creation. Khar
kof is too vague personality to pin down definitely
Tespathic influence
Drearney England, the home of Miss Annie Cress-
well marks the first appearance OF Peter Kharkoff,
whose presense in that cathedral becomes mani
fest to Canon Barrimore, Imogen Lowrie and Mr.
Hendry, cathedral orgsnist Barrimore is forced to
change the note of his sermons argument, because
kharhof is present during the services; mosen Lowre
becomes affected telepathcally by her Cressweps
story of chance meeting with Kharkof, and Hendry
Is visited by the mysterious stranger
KharkoG "Ssvior'
Peter Kharkof, called by chance "the savior from
the North" Che born in the north Of Russia) is
presumably the dominant figure in this romance whose
tneme Is that IN human nature, which loves wal
low, there is nevertheless rooted strange contradc-
ton-the impulse to mount" But Imogen Lo,vrie the
young English fapper with fair portion of intclli-
gence, manages to hold the attention more firmly and
honestly than the saving Jew.
From Halter to Disciple
Imogen Lowrie started out with a deeply rooted
prejudice against Jews and ended with being Khar
kofs most fervent discpleathough she still retained
reservations against the Whitechapel mob. One feels
that Miss Lowrie flesh and blood taken out of daily
life-a strong personality, with active mind,
scious of Victorian pruderes, nsensbe the blatant
creed of unselfshness.
Hugo Dennistone, iance of Imogen exclusively
vrile person is crippled for life while hunting. The
great conflict arises in Imogen as to whether she
should sacrifice her life in marrying this helpless Grip
pie, not overburdened with intelligence frankly
ject Dennistone a shackle upon her own freedom
She kharkof to aid her in helping Denni-
stone. The latter is by the dew, although
Hugo is notorious for his hatred of the sraelites 1t
h inexpcable in the first place why Hichens has in
sisted that Kharkof be Jew, and secondly, why he
mas managed to have all his other characters Jew
haters who, are however, finally converted by the
marvellous powers and soothing personality of the lone
thinker in the Swiss mountains As mentioned before,
Kharkof's Jewishness doubt bit of forced SYM
bolism We would have preferred that Hchcns had
dispensed with the symbol.
Another Halter Succumbs
Another of the phaanx of Jew-haers who are
moved down by the supreme mentality of Kharkof is
Berazov, a Russian who is infatuated with Imogen
Lowrie, having met her in London, while Capt. Den
nstonc and Peter Kharkof devise modus vivend for
the former in the Alps. These Jewhaters first felt