The Prodigy is Norman Weissman's hilarious portrayal of a young runaway violinist whose sojourn across America pits youthful innocence against the vagaries of people, regions, and beliefs in a bygone era before the second World War. This is an allegory, a secular Pilgrim's Progress that pays subtle homage to Mark Twain and John Steinbeck and reveals unexpected truths from encounters with improbable characters and events that will keep you guessing about who is being parodied. The Prodigy traverses a landscape reflecting the generosity and greed, openness and prejudice, love and hatred that defines the richness of our American experience.