MAPU

mapu, abraham (1808-1867), hebrew novelist. his works are chiefly historical romances in hebrew. his most famous books were _the love of zion_ and the _transgression of samaria_. besides their intrinsic merits, these novels stand high among the works which produced the romantic movement in modern hebrew literature. mapu's plots were somewhat sensational, incident being more prominent than characterization. but underlying all was a criticism of contemporary life. his novels made a deep impression and became instantly popular. mapu's hebrew style is simple and classical. an english translation of the _love of zion_ bears the title _amnon, prince and peasant_, by f. jaffe (1887). mapu's stories have been often translated into other languages. see n. slouschz, _the renascence of hebrew literature_ (1909), ch. v. (i. a.)