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Isabel Tarongi works as a nurse in Mallorca, Spain, at the time of the fascist takeover of the island in 1936. When she garners the unwanted attention of one of General Franco's Nationalist officers, she is in danger of being assaulted. She escapes Mallorca to find refuge with her Aunt Caterina and Uncle Juan in Barcelona. When she is finally able to safely return home, Tia Caterina gives her the two candlesticks that Isabel has observed her light every Friday night as she chanted the ancient prayer of her distant Jewish ancestors. Though Isabel's aunt and uncle are Catholic, they still hold onto this tradition passed along for generations. Isabel embraces the tradition and passes it on to her daughter, and in turn, to her granddaughter Leonor.
When Leonor marries the bookish boy next door, they both rise in their respective fields of study, gaining full professorships at a prestigious university. However, the university's board of directors, fueled by old anti-Semitic prejudices, insists that Leonor must stop practicing the candle lighting ceremony. This subsequently changes the couple's trajectory, and the two relocate to Israel so Raphael can lead a team on a top-secret mission to create an anti-missile program which will "infiltrate the computer systems of all incoming missiles—whether launched from Iran or Lebanon or Gaza—and make sure they fail to explode." As the world moves toward nuclear extinction and imminent demise, Raphael and his colleagues race to create a system that will thwart any threat to Israel and its allies. However, it is Lenore's beloved candlesticks that hold the key to saving Israel and perhaps the world.
This historical novel is poignant in its subject matter, which explores political intrigue and the Middle East's complex hotspots. The addition of an American storyline in Part Two with its politically minded characters adds depth to the plot, while Part Three integrates the novel's well-plotted storylines in unexpected twists, which guide readers to the book's satisfying conclusion. The author's characters are well-rounded and intriguing. Elsant seamlessly incorporates the history of the Xueta—faithful Catholics who, though having been loyal to the Church of Rome for centuries, were hated by other Catholic Mallorcans because of their Jewish ancestry. His use of historical figures adds authenticity and gravity to the work, while piquing interest. Themes such as political intrigue, Middle East relations, Jewish history, unbridled ambition, and faith are masterfully explored throughout the novel. Although there is much happening in the main plot and subplots, one never loses track of the narrative, which is the true test of a master storyteller.
This moving and engaging work not only entertains but also educates. Anyone curious about the Jewish faith and the contentious Israeli-Iranian relationship will learn much from reading this thought-provoking novel. It provides an important aspect of what the modern world sees played out daily. Although this is a work of historical fiction, its plot takes the narrative into the near future —a daunting and frightening perspective, but one that is easily contemplated in an uncertain world. It is a significant work that delves into difficult topics with insight and sensitivity. This engaging novel offers readers a glimpse into both history and current affairs, with all the fascinating, intricate facets and foibles of the human race.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Short List book.