An absorbing, intricately plotted intrigue centring on Sephardic Jewish merchants in Amsterdam during the 1650s, many of them refugees from the Inquisition in Portugal. The story has more twists than a bag of pretzels.

David Liss' thoroughly researched writing conveys the atmosphere of Amsterdam during a period of rapid Dutch growth as an economic power in Europe and the world.

There was also a personal buzz for me when part of the story took place on the street/canal where I once lived.

At meetup.

Looking forward to reading this one.

Machinations and trickery on the Amsterdam Exchange back in the 1650s. It seems nothing changes, apart from the width and breath of it all. A very atmospheric tale centred on Miguel Lienzo a Portuguese Jewish trader who had already lost a fortune and who now plans and plots on how to regain his good name and wealth. The stench of humanity and the filth of the street and canals was very realistic and ever present. I'm not convinced I would have survived long in Amsterdam of the period and very glad it wasn't my lot in life. I really enjoyed this book, it did drag a little before the final action but it wouldn't put me off trying more books by David Liss.

Travelling by Royal Mail to the Netherlands.

I'm more of a tea drinker and I live on entirely the wrong side of the Netherlands, but I couldn't resist the chance to read something about the history of my adopted country. Just reading miketroll's JE, I love the fact that he used to live on one of the canals mentioned; recognising places in books, however vaguely, always adds a certain je ne sais quoi.

Thank you for sending the book to me, Cassiopaeia (the spelling of whose screen name I always have to double-check). What beautiful stamps you put on the envelope. Including a Doctor Who one, may I add. I'm looking forward to reading the book.

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I'm glad I managed to read this and pass it on before MikeTroll went to the big BookCrossing meeting in the sky (even if he was convinced such a thing didn't exist). Unfortunately I didn't write a review at the time as I didn't have a chance before going to the meeting in Eindhoven. I do remember enjoying this historical novel. I hadn't realised that stock markets began with commodity trading in Amsterdam, although I knew the 17th century was the Dutch Golden Age when all the beautiful canal houses were built in Amsterdam for the rich merchants. I also hadn't thought too much about the role of Amsterdam as a refuge for (Portuguese) Jews and other religious minorities; I suppose this was the time at which the Netherlands' famous reputation for tolerance was built. It was also interesting to have a couple of main characters who were women, contrasting the expected modest and powerless role required of a respectable wealthy Jewish woman to the comparative freedom of movement and decision-making available to the Dutch Geertruid. I really should find out more about the Dutch Golden Age.

This book was given to me on a new years meeting of the Dutch (Eindhoven) readers circle , by bookguide.
Not only was it nice to get it from her, and speaking to her (it had been a while) ... she said I should have it as it is a book with a very special bookcrossing history (past and in the making). It comes from a very sympathetic fellow-bookcrosser who at this very time is fighting his ilness very bravely and whose fight, joys, and (still) humorous thoughts we follow up upon daily on / via -mostly- facebook.

Therefor we conspired to adding to this book the vast rule that it should only be handed to very special persons ,carrying some of Mikes wit, pun and to-the-pointness with it ... :) Kind of a lucky charm, something Mike probably is no big fan of, considering his rationality and atheist common sense :)))))))

To infinity and beyond !

I shall release this book on the meeting next week in Turnhout

Veel leesplezier !
Bonne lecture !
Happy reading !

Found at the meeting.

At the meeting

Took this home from Castricum. Looking forward to reading it!