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Just a few years earlier, Jews living in Portugal were dragged to the baptismal font and forced to convert to Christianity. Many of these New Christians persevered in their Jewish prayers and rituals in secret and at great risk; the hidden, arcane practices of the kabbalists, a mystical sect of Jews, continued as well. One such secret Jew was Berekiah Zarco, an intelligent young manuscript illuminator. Inflamed by love and revenge, he searches, in the crucible of the raging pogrom, for the killer of his beloved uncle Abraham, a renowned kabbalist and manuscript illuminator, discovered murdered in a hidden synagogue along with a young girl in dishabille. Risking his life in streets seething with mayhem, Berekiah tracks down answers among Christians, New Christians, Jews, and the fellow kabbalists of his uncle, whose secret language and codes by turns light and obscure the way to the truth he seeks. A marvelous story, a challenging mystery, and a telling tale of the evils of intolerance, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon both compels and entertains.… (more)
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I knew little about kabbalah before reading this book, and I hadn't heard at all of the massacre of the Jews/New Christians in Lisbon. The setting provides plenty of tension. The “New Christians” are in a precarious situation. Berekiah's family as well as other families continue to practice Judaism in secret. Some of the “New Christians” have completely converted to Christianity, while others keep one foot in each camp. It's risky to trust anyone. Berekiah questions his faith during the events of that Passover week, but what he questions seems to be something other than kabbalah. His faith seems to be in himself and in his uncle/mentor rather than in God. Some parts of the book touch on occult matters, and there is one scene describing demon possession. Although I generally books with a strong supernatural/occult element, this one stayed just within my comfort zone.
This would be a good fit for readers who enjoy historical mysteries/thrillers. It has a similar feel to S. J. Parris's Heresy and Iain Pears's An Instance of the Fingerpost. Readers who liked either of those books might want to give this one a try.
Plot in a Nutshell
In the late 1400s all Portuguese Jews were forced to convert and became “New Christians” although many continued to practice in secret and at great personal risk. In Spring 1506 as the shadow of the
Thoughts
Zimler had clearly invested a good deal of time and effort in his research and the geographical detail in the novel was rich and immersive without ever seeming to be clunky or forced – it felt like I was running through the streets of Lisbon with Zarco. The historical detail too was impressive and I finished the novel feeling much more aware of a period of history I had not known a great deal about. The writing of some of the scenes were deeply dark and visceral and Zimler’s prose impacted all of my senses – it may have felt uncomfortable to read at times but he absolutely captured the brutality and horror of the time. Here though my enjoyment of the novel stopped.
The novel purports to be a direct translation from a contemporary manuscript – however the tone, structure and language (particularly some of the highly sexual content) did not match and left me always a little confused. It seems like an unnecessary layer to have added.
However, for me the main issue with the novel was the characterisation. As expected for a story about a whole community there is a large cast of characters and I struggled a little to keep them all straight in my head or care as they inevitably suffered through the days of the massacre. In the main cast I found no one particularly sympathetic. Abraham, the uncle and victim of the crime that forms the main mystery section of the novel was cold and patronising and I found it difficult to be moved by his death or the subsequent investigation.
Despite the dangers, many Jews still practiced their religion in secret. Kabbalah is the mystic branch of Judaism and because of its mysticism, it was usually practiced in secret by a closed group of initiates. Enter the primary protagonist, Berekiah (Pedro) Zarco, who arrives at home after running an extended errand for his Kabbalist uncle, Abraham, to find his neighborhood engulfed in a riot, his uncle Abraham murdered in his locked, secret “library” of holy books (genizah) along with an unknown, dead naked woman.
The detective work Berekiah undertakes with a trusted companion, a mute Sufi scholar named Farid is slow, but persistent and methodical. What will keep the reader’s attention is the backdrop of narrow escapes the duo endures as they keep encountering mob violence going on all around them. The duo, separately and together, finds respite in some unlikely places and meet some characters that are not always what they seem to be.
I particularly liked the pairing of a Sufi Scholar, the mystic side of the Islamic faith, with a Kabbalist. Adding to the historical background of the story, this shows that two faiths have a shared heritage and that in the past, the two people commonly aided each other.
The author makes use of the “found manuscript” as an opening gambit to get the reader hooked into the story. This succeeds to the point that an Internet search for the name “Berekiah Zarco” will yield some discussion if such a person actually existed. While this is a work of fiction, the history that serves as a backdrop is well documented. While you do not have to be Jewish, and certainly not a Kabbalist, to enjoy the book, if you are Jewish you may find yourself more involved in the story on a more personal level.
While very original and well narrated, the story does drag on in parts. Some of the deception is predictable as well. I was fully engaged throughout and really did care about finding out the truth, so I still have to award this novel four stars. For those that enjoy historical fiction and wish to gain an insight to mob behavior, this is a must read.
He was a young Jew boy caught up in the Lisbon during the infamous massacre of the Jewish in 1506. During these horrific events, when the world is turned upside down for him, someone kills his beloved uncle. It falls to him to solve the mystery of his uncle's murder against the backdrop of the pogrom taking place around him.
The story is captivating, the setting is atmospheric & authentic, the myriad characters are all complex, real characters, and the writing is exquisite. If that is not enough, the story raises questions about human nature, good and evil, religion, tolerance, love and hate -- everything that is important is discussed in this book in a thoughtful, thought-provoking way. So highly recommended that I went out and got a second copy of the book so that I could lend it without giving up my own copy.
Unfortunately, I also had trouble keeping the suspects straight. The book contains some philosophical musings about the Kabbal, God, persecution, and the coming secular world. I understand praise for this book - certain scenes are vivid (although for the most part descriptions are sketchy and inadequate) and powerful, and a sense of injustice is the lifeblood coursing though this novel. I found it weighty and wearing - so much so that I considered putting it down halfway through.
Substance: May capture the milieu of Lisbon in 1506 during the massacre of New Christians (Jews converted in 1496), but uses Kabbalism only as window-dressing, with no discussion of its origins, content, or differences with Orthodox Judaism. Also uses any excuse for
Style: Straightforward most of the time. Switches tense for some unexpected reason in part II.
Drought and recurring pestilence fed the fires of passion and persecution. The Dominicans of Lisbon literally lit the fires and drove the 'Old Christians' to feed the flames with the bodies and Hebrew books of the Jews, young and old alike during the Passover of 1506.
Berekiah Zarco was a young man being trained by his uncle as a kabbalist and manuscript illuminator to produce copies of sacred writings. His uncle was involved in the rescue of ancient manuscripts and getting them out of Portugal to save them from the fires of the Christians for future generations of Jews.
Berekiah finds his uncle murdered in their hidden sanctuary with an unknown young woman. So much of the setting and details indicates that the killer must be one of their inner circle. Berekiah, driven by a raging passion for revenge, suspects those closest to him.
It's captivating and exciting, making you want to devour the text in big gulps. Putting this down is painful because you want to know more. The loose ends are not neatly tied up at the end of each chapter, nor at the end, which is wonderful. I hate it when an author ties up the story with a neat little bow.
The book operates on several levels. It's a historical novel about Jews in Portugal, anti-semitism, forced conversion, reactions to the plague, kabbalah, and bonds of friendship and blood. It also deals with the masks that people wear in varying social situations, and losing yourself in those masks. Jewish religious practice and the Kaballah are, not surpisingly, very important to how the mystery plays itself out. Then there is the murder mystery, friends and family lost and feared dead, and stolen property. I'm making this sound ponderous, but Zimler keeps all those balls in the air, and doesn't ram his opinions down our throat.
This novel isn't only for Jews or mystery fans. It's a brilliant work of fiction that most anyone would love. Buy a copy for yourself, and a copy to give away.
This was a murder mystery set during the period of persecution of Jews in early 16th century Portugal. It is apparently based on a real manuscript discovered by the author in Istanbul in 1990, written by Berekiah Zarco who fled to Constantinople in 1507 along with
I discovered this author by accident during a Kindle sale. I have downloaded the other three Zarco novels for 99 pence each. 4/5
The protagonist, Berekiah Zarco, a young jewish illuminator of manuscripts, seeks answers and revenge for the murder of his uncle. Along the way he questions Christians, Jews and fellow Kabbalists for these answers. He follows clues, nearly gets killed and even sees a Jewish Exorcism. Throughout the book, the observant student can also see snippets of Kabbalistic wisdom and medieval alchemical imagery. This book is fascinating and riveting at the same time! Read it once for fun, and then read it again for the hidden wisdom within! - Salient