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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
The story of a young Jewish woman in the 1600s' London who is drawn to words and writing in a time and culture when those pursuits would generally be closed to her. Also the modern story of the researchers who come across papers that help them piece together this past.
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly... a masterpiece. Loved this book!
This book stretched and shrunk for me. It took me a while I really get into it, but once I was in, I was in! A work of art, truly. The writing, the plot, the character development, the double story lines. Academia, religion, philosophy, and history all meet in this book. (Somehow I found myself on the edge of my seat reading about which academic would publish first.)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Weight of Ink was recommended by one of my senior colleagues who loves historical fiction. While the novel took some time for me to get into, once Ester’s story began, I was hooked.
Kadish weaves a story across centuries, following modern day professor Helen Watt’s and grad student Aaron Levy’s discovery of a collection of letters from the 17th century. The significance of the letters becomes apparent as they were written by a female scribe, a challenge to what the modern age understands of that earlier time period and culture. The more letters are read and translated, the more Helen and Aaron are given insight into the unique character of Ester. Kadish then switches to narrating the time of Ester’s dynamic life, describing her philosophical development during a volatile time in history, especially for a young Jewish woman.
I love how Kadish fleshes out the narrative for each protagonist and gives each a solid resolution. Even secondary characters, like Rivka and Mary, are given their due place. I also love the reflective themes of the novel. Kadish educated me on many things, including the 17th century, philosophy, and some components of Jewish culture and custom. I love that Kadish has her characters ask real questions, though I may disagree with how they’re answered. Indeed, I don’t know that Ester’s final philosophical views are as substantial as Kadish would suggest, given the correspondence and friendship Ester kept in the later part of the book. But the discussion is there, and for that I appreciate this book.
A few months ago I read The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. While The Weight of Ink lacks the fantasy elements in Schwab’s novel and does not have as strong of an indulgently romantic overtone, both examine a woman’s psychological and artistic birth and development in her quest for true independence. Readers of one would definitely appreciate the other.
Kadish weaves a story across centuries, following modern day professor Helen Watt’s and grad student Aaron Levy’s discovery of a collection of letters from the 17th century. The significance of the letters becomes apparent as they were written by a female scribe, a challenge to what the modern age understands of that earlier time period and culture. The more letters are read and translated, the more Helen and Aaron are given insight into the unique character of Ester. Kadish then switches to narrating the time of Ester’s dynamic life, describing her philosophical development during a volatile time in history, especially for a young Jewish woman.
I love how Kadish fleshes out the narrative for each protagonist and gives each a solid resolution. Even secondary characters, like Rivka and Mary, are given their due place. I also love the reflective themes of the novel. Kadish educated me on many things, including the 17th century, philosophy, and some components of Jewish culture and custom. I love that Kadish has her characters ask real questions, though I may disagree with how they’re answered. Indeed, I don’t know that Ester’s final philosophical views are as substantial as Kadish would suggest, given the correspondence and friendship Ester kept in the later part of the book. But the discussion is there, and for that I appreciate this book.
A few months ago I read The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. While The Weight of Ink lacks the fantasy elements in Schwab’s novel and does not have as strong of an indulgently romantic overtone, both examine a woman’s psychological and artistic birth and development in her quest for true independence. Readers of one would definitely appreciate the other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Outing, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
informative
sad
slow-paced
The Shakespeare reveal was eye-rollingly saccharine. Otherwise this book was okay, and interesting. I liked Esther’s story a lot. The modern pieces sure are something. Both character’s arcs are inextricably linked with Israel, and Helen’s especially is linked with the colonization of Palestine. She mentions gathering spent cartridges at the military base, but the discussion never mentions who it is that the Israeli camp are shooting. In the wake of all that I have learned recently about the actions of the Israeli government, this book cannot be perceived in a good light. Not when manic pixie dream girls hold it up as an ideal society to live in.
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No