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A review by maria_pulver
The Last Jew: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition by Noah Gordon
3.0
It was supposed to be a heart wrenching story of a jewish youth who lost his entire family and friends to the Expulsion of Jews from Spain. Or maybe it should have been a detective story, a theft and murder perpetrated by a cleric and the truth is discovered by the protagonist, and maybe even vengeance delivered. It could have been a self-search story of a Jew stuck alone in Spain, facing discovery by the Inquisition and still choosing to be a devoted Jew.
It is neither.
Though very detailed and full of explanations, the book fails to convey the severity of protagonist's loss, the story of the expelled Jews remains mainly untold and the atrocities of the Inquisition are shown but little.
The deeds, the travels, the decision makings of Yonah, the protagonist, are also detailed, ad nauseam. But the descriptions are dry, the motives and the logics are extremely weak. We do not see a character development, but have to believe to the author stating it does so.
Any hopes for a detective story in style of Eco's [b:The Name of the Rose|119073|The Name of the Rose|Umberto Eco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415375471l/119073._SY75_.jpg|3138328] are vanquished promptly: the killer is mentioned in the very beginning of the book and even the vengeance doesn't come and the excuse is lousy.
Though the book is fast-pasing and promises a lot of excitement just on the next page, it never delivers. Instead of human drama we get a sugar-coated story of the Expulsion.
It is neither.
Though very detailed and full of explanations, the book fails to convey the severity of protagonist's loss, the story of the expelled Jews remains mainly untold and the atrocities of the Inquisition are shown but little.
The deeds, the travels, the decision makings of Yonah, the protagonist, are also detailed, ad nauseam. But the descriptions are dry, the motives and the logics are extremely weak. We do not see a character development, but have to believe to the author stating it does so.
Any hopes for a detective story in style of Eco's [b:The Name of the Rose|119073|The Name of the Rose|Umberto Eco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1415375471l/119073._SY75_.jpg|3138328] are vanquished promptly: the killer is mentioned in the very beginning of the book and even the vengeance doesn't come and the excuse is lousy.
Though the book is fast-pasing and promises a lot of excitement just on the next page, it never delivers. Instead of human drama we get a sugar-coated story of the Expulsion.