THE WEIGHT OF INK by
Rachel Kadish
This somewhat disturbing tale is the story of a young Jewish
girl living in exile in Holland (Amterdam) in 1660 when tragedy forces her to
live with an aging Rabbi in England. Ester’s
own father, also a rabbi, had encouraged Ester’s education in defiance of
community norms. In England, Ester
continues her education and is employed as scribe to her protector rabbi . Unbeknown
to her employer, she embarks on a philosophical correspondence with a number of
renowned philosophers including Benedict Spinoza. The interwoven twentieth century
tale concerns an aging professor who finds her letters and is determined to
publish them.
The characters are skillfully defined and brought to life on
the pages. The political climates of
Jewish diaspora and England between Cromwell and the renewed monarchy are
clear. The tension between the rival philosophies
is palpable. Although VERY long, the well-researched
story holds one’s attention. Ester is a likeable, although obstinate and often misguided,
personage. Her plight will resonant with
today’s feminist sympathizers
.
4 of 5 stars because of the 600 page length.
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