title: Who Is to Blame?: A Russian Riddle
author:  Jane Marlow 
description: &quot;A glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the Russian people during the nineteenth century. As you immerse yourself in Jane&apos;s book, you will feel the struggles of nobles and peasants alike, as though you were walking in their very shoes. Brilliant!&quot;<br />- Mark Schauss, host of the <i>Russian Rulers History</i> podcast
zlib_text: 
  
  
  The Fixer
  
  
  Bernard Malamud
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  Copyright © 1966 by Bernard Malamud
  
  
  All rights reserved
  
  
  Published simultaneously in Canada by Ambassador Books, Ltd.,
  
  
  Rexdale, Ontario
  
  
  Printed in the United States of America
  
  
  DESIGN: Marshall Lee
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  For Paul
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  “Irrational streams of blood are staining earth . . .”
  
  
  YEATS
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  “O yonge Hugh of Lyncoln—slayn also
  
  
  With cursed Jewes, as it is notable,
  
  
  For it is but a litel while ago—
  
  
  Preye eek for us, we synful folk unstable,
  
  
  . . .”
  
  
  CHAUCER
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  The Fixer
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  I
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  From the small crossed window of his room above the stable in the brickyard,
  Yakov Bok saw people in their long overcoats running somewhere early that
  morning, everybody in the same direction. Vey iz mir, he thought uneasily,
  something bad has happened. The Russians, coming from streets around the
  cemetery, were hurrying, singly or in groups, in the spring snow in the
  direction of the caves in the ravin