Cynthia Ozick, a legendary essayist and novelist known for her incisive works on Jewish fiction, delves into the complexities of faith and identity. The discussion centers around the 1263 Disputation of Barcelona, exploring what drives individuals like Pablo Christiani, a former Jew turned Dominican friar, to betray their roots. Ozick examines themes of cultural identity, the struggles between belief systems, and the psychological impact of historical persecution on personal narratives. It's a profound exploration of transformation and resilience.

Cynthia Ozick reads Steven Millhauser's "In the Reign of Harad IV." Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices