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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
An intriguing mystery in two timelines with fascinating history and engaging characters. I loved imagining myself discovering such treasures and tracking down the truth. What a fun challenge to uncover. On top of that some good girl power with Ester bucking gender norms of her time and questioning everything
It took me a long time to get into this book, but I did learn a great deal about the Jews of 17th century London.
This was verrrrrry hard to get into and I almost gave up, until I got to Ester's story. I give her story 5 stars and the modern-day story 3 stars, for an average of 4.
Slow Start
I almost abandoned this book during part 2, but I decided to give it until Part 3. For me, the story didn’t become gripping until then but the author’s plodding details make structural sense now that I am done.
I love her answer (this story) to Woolf’s question about Shakespeare’s sister.
I also enjoyed the information about Portuguese Jews in London. Their story is new to me.
I almost abandoned this book during part 2, but I decided to give it until Part 3. For me, the story didn’t become gripping until then but the author’s plodding details make structural sense now that I am done.
I love her answer (this story) to Woolf’s question about Shakespeare’s sister.
I also enjoyed the information about Portuguese Jews in London. Their story is new to me.
Another title in the "finding mysterious documents" genre that I seem to have fallen in love with lately. Stayed up to midnight to finish it; the only thing keeping it from five stars is that there were a few parts that were a little too heavy on philosophy, though I understand why it was included. Fascinating.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow to start but superb once the stories begin to connect. One of those you want to re-read once you've finished to see what you missed the first time.
One of the most brilliant books I have ever read, the writing is incredible and the story is rich but the way she weaves together two time periods, history, theology and complicated storylines was magical. Helen, a retiring university professor and Ester, a Jewish woman living in the 1600s were both inspiring feminists in their own right during the times they lived.
Beautifully written, this book covers a time period I didn't know much about (shocking that my Catholic schooling glossed over the horrible Christian atrocities of the Inquisitions, specifically the Portuguese Inquisition referenced in this story). While reading, Hellen's backstory felt more drawn out than I thought necessary, but it felt a lot more integral towards the end of the book. In my opinion, the final twist at the end involving ****'s connection to ********* was unnecessary but not as much of an eye-roll as it could have been.
I felt a real connection to Ester in her struggle to reconcile her growing discontent with the traditional teaching of her upbringing against the fact that these teaching were at the core of someone she loves and respects.
This wasn't the most exciting book I've ever read by a long shot, but I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to almost anybody.
I felt a real connection to Ester in her struggle to reconcile her growing discontent with the traditional teaching of her upbringing against the fact that these teaching were at the core of someone she loves and respects.
This wasn't the most exciting book I've ever read by a long shot, but I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to almost anybody.
This was FANTASTIC. Jewish History, the Inquisition, the Plague and a bit of Enlightenment thinking . . . plus trailblazing protagonists (Ester and Aaron both count, in my mind)—a literary history dream.
My only complaint is the Shakespeare bit at the end—don’t want to include any spoilers do I’ll leave it at that.
This book was quite long but entirely worth it. And it falls into the “makes me want to be a student again” category of literature, which is always a plus.
My only complaint is the Shakespeare bit at the end—don’t want to include any spoilers do I’ll leave it at that.
This book was quite long but entirely worth it. And it falls into the “makes me want to be a student again” category of literature, which is always a plus.