Journal Entry 1 by L1nda from Newcastle, New South Wales Australia on Friday, November 26, 2010

In the year 1492, the Inquisition has all of Spain in its grip. After centuries of pogrom-like riots encouraged by the Church, the Jews - who have been an important part of Spanish life since the days of the Romans - are expelled from the country by royal edict. Many who wish to remain are intimidated by Church and Crown and become Catholics, but several hundred thousand choose to retain their religion and depart; given little time to flee, some perish even before they can escape from Spain.

Yonah Toledano, the 15-year-old son of a celebrated Spanish silversmith, has seen his father and brother die during these terrible days - victims whose murders go almost unnoticed in a time of mass upheaval. Trapped in Spain by circumstances, he is determined to honor the memory of his family by remaining a Jew.

On a donkey named Moise, Yonah begins a meandering journey, a young fugitive zigzagging across the vastness of Spain. Toiling at manual labor, he desperately tries to cling to his memories of a vanished culture. As a lonely shepherd on a mountaintop he hurls snatches of almost forgotten Hebrew at the stars, as an apprentice armorer he learns to fight like a Christian knight. Finally, as a man living in a time and land where danger from the Inquisition is everywhere, he deals with the questions that mark his past. How he discovers the answers, how he finds his way to a singular and strong Marrano woman, how he achieves a life with the outer persona of a respected Old Christian physician and the inner life of a secret Jew, is the fabric of this novel. The Last Jew is a glimpse of the past, an authentic tale of high adventure, and a tender and unforgettable love story. In it, Noah Gordon utilizes his greatest strengths, and the result is remarkable and moving. 

Journal Entry 2 by L1nda at Newcastle, New South Wales Australia on Monday, November 29, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (11/30/2010 UTC) at Newcastle, New South Wales Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Miss December for the Book Obsessed Southern Cross Book Exchange.... enjoy 

Journal Entry 3 by AnonymousFinder at Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Received this book from Elsi for the BookObsessed JOE exchange.
Thank you!  

Journal Entry 4 by bemaia at Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Received this book from L1nda for the BookObsessed Southern Cross exchange.
Thank you!