In the London of the late eighteenth century, Manasseh da Costa, a Sephardi schnorrer, or professional beggar, treats charity as his due and his benefactors as privileged to give it. His dealings with the wealthy Joseph Grobstock, whom he outfaces at every turn, make a comedy of pride and wit, followed here by Zangwill’s shorter grotesques and fantasies.
A classic of Anglo-Jewish humour, affectionate, sly and endlessly quotable. Download the free EPUB.