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Jason Zeitler is the author of the novel The Half-Caste (Polyphony Press, 2023) and the novella Like Flesh to the Scalpel (Running Wild Press, 2018), and his short stories and essays have appeared in the Journal of Experimental Fiction, Midwestern Gothic, Two Thirds North, and elsewhere. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife and son. His debut novel The Half-Caste was shortlisted in the 2022 JEF Books competition. It also was a finalist in the Best New Voice category of the 2024 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.
Reviewed by Maalin Ogaja for Readers' Favorite
The Half-Caste by Jason Zeitler is a thought-provoking novel set in the significant political and social era of the 1930s. Saul and Vernon form an unlikely friendship after attending a public lecture at the London School of Economics late one morning. Both of them agreed on one political ideology: that the best system lay somewhere in between the extremes. As the friendship progresses, Vernon supports Saul during his period of grief, helping him cope with the loss of his wife. When Vernon gets a message summoning him home to Ceylon, he immediately thinks about Saul and asks him to accompany him. Thus begins an adventure full of growth for the two friends, Saul’s budding romance, and his growing interest in the political environment of Ceylon.
The Half-Caste by Jason Zeitler is set in London, England, and Kandy, Ceylon. Like Saul, I appreciated the change of scenery from the English weather to the monsoon rains of Ceylon. Zeitler’s description of the natural life of the country was vivid and engaging, I could picture the lush and green jungle of Kandy. I loved how the author described the birds, the heritage, the religious sites, the cultural traditions, and the food in Ceylon. Zeitler explored various themes in this narrative, with a focus on social justice, anti-Semitism, and racial identity. The use of actual historical context made the narrative relatable and educative, especially relating to Ceylon’s struggle for independence. I highly recommend this novel to readers interested in historical and political events that shaped nations.
