A smug novel that aspires to rip the lid off religious convention and u0026 conviction. Jacobson (Roots Schmoots, '94, etc.) tackles the Hebrew Scriptures in this new effort. Narrated by Cain, the 1st murderer and u0026 the founder of the 1st city, the life led by Adam and u0026 his family is far different than that portrayed by pious chroniclers. Tho the group has already been expelled from Eden, creation is far from complete. The Earth still vibrates with the energy of formation. To even stamp one's foot is to set in motion a chain of reactions that could lead to some bizarre new species and u0026 there's plenty of reason to stamp one's foot. The omnipresent deity is getting on humanity's nerves and u0026 any attempt to discuss the matter leads to divine punishment because He's decidedly thin-skinned. Adam abuses Cain because the boy is the only thing in the world that he's unafraid of. To top things off, the new baby, Abel, is getting all of Eve's attention, leaving Cain feeling deprived. The boy vows that, even tho he loves his brother, he'll nonetheless kill him. The novel bounces back and u0026 forth between this story and u0026 Babel, where an aged Cain is telling his tale in a kind of one-man show for the amusement of the cynical citizenry, who crave entertainment and u0026 lack both a theology and u0026 a sense of humor. Also related are the stories of the Exodus and u0026 of Korah, a cousin of Moses and u0026 Aaron who led a rebellion against their leadership and u0026 authority. Lurking at the edges of it all is the mysterious Sisobk the Scryer, a member of a Cainite cult that's grown up around the fratricide. Condescension and u0026 anachronisms mar what comes across as 2nd-rate Joseph Heller or Philip Roth. Jacobson looks into faith and u0026 sees only dark corners.-Kirkus (edited)