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Comments (34)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 34 items
Jul 17, 2023jasnadzinic rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I just love books like this one. Was hard to put down.
Aug 23, 2018Dream24 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
This was definitely an interesting book. It offered a tiny glimpse of what life was like for Jewish people in Venice during that time period. At first Hannah seemed very timid and cowed by the world outside the ghetto, where she follows…
Aug 22, 2017
Story line is boring. But, the historical settings and the way that the Venetians lived makes it an interesting read.
Apr 01, 2017The_Thorne rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
While the book is not accurate about aspects of the Jewish ghetto the majority of the story is engaging and a quick read with a strong and clever female lead.
May 02, 2016
Our afternoon book club gave this book a 5.6. It was a pretty even split in that half the group quite enjoyed it and the other half really didn't. Those like/dislike meetings make for great discussion!
hershnatash
May 20, 2013hershnatash rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
This book is horrible. Most of the facts about Jewish Orthodox life are completely wrong and false. For example, "shadai" is one of the many names of G-d - NOT an amulet. Jews do not put their trust in amulets - only in G-d. Also, Jews…
Jan 16, 2013eyelandgirl rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A good read with interesting historic perspective. The husband's side of the story is implausible, and like many good stories the end seems to get rushed together to sum it up neatly. But I still enjoyed the history, having seen this area…
Oct 21, 2012Tica77 rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Although I read the book in it's entirety, it was only because it was so ridiculous and improbable. I would not recommend it.
Jun 26, 2012Rosina rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
If you like history you'll enjoy this though it is fiction but the premise could be real although it probably wouldn't have ended so happily in real times.
Jun 05, 2012BPLNextBestAdults rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Hannah is a skilled midwife living in the Jewish ghetto in 16th century Venice. Her husband has been captured at sea and living as a slave in Malta. She is desperate to bring him home, but with no money, she is unable to do so. One…
Mar 02, 2012
I found this to be only an 'okay' read and in particular found the ending to seem really rushed. I expected a lot more.
Jan 28, 2012readingchick rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
With all the hype this book has engendered, I expected something better. The plot was just too unbelievable and the characters too perfect although the premise was a good one. I did finish reading this tale but not without bemoaning the…
Cdnbookworm
Jan 13, 2012Cdnbookworm rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This historical novel is set in Venice and Malta in the sixteenth century. Hannah Levi is a midwife in Venice, renowned for her skill in difficult births. Her husband Isaac is being held for ransom in Malta, caught as he was making a sea…
Jan 04, 2012blolo rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book started off well and just got worse. It became more and more implausible (similar to what turned me off of The Book of Negroes). I wish it had stuck to being more believable historical fiction.
Dec 28, 2011kpalichuk rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A really interesting interview on CBC's "The Next Chapter" with the author on writing historical non-fiction. http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/episode/2011/10/24/brian-francis/
Nov 25, 2011Zaelia rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I picked up this book after seeing it listed in the Recently Reviewed Items of my library's catalogue. While I agree with some of the comments about the storyline being implausible, I still found the story entertaining. I think this is a…
Nov 08, 2011nancybos rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
This book was a huge disappointment . The story line was totally implausible ... to the point that I felt my intelligence, as the reader, was being badly insulted. I slogged my way about 3/4 through and then actually had to leave the…
Oct 25, 2011jeanie123 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I was quite disappointed with this book. I'm not sure how or why this book made the bestseller's lists or even got such favourable reviews. The history of the book's locales may have been well-researched, but the story was implausible,…
Oct 11, 2011(Staff) Elaine Bird rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read, interesting characters and setting. Historical info was fascinating.
Oct 08, 2011
I really liked this and am waiting for the sequel. ( It is one of Heather's picks".) :)
Sep 28, 2011Geegee235 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Pretty light reading. I was quite disappointed as the plot was wildly implausible. I expected more.
Sep 26, 201121221018293347 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Light, interesting, a quick read in a short time frame. Nothing to deep or intricate, just entertainment.
Sep 26, 2011
Very disappointing. The plot seemed to plod through chapters and chapters. As I read it, I kept thinking, "just end already". My cat loved the feel of the cover, so she enjoyed it more than I did.
Sep 25, 2011najn_arte rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I really like Roberta's style.
Sep 05, 2011Sisbot rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It was ok. It just lacked something for me. There just wasn't enough "meat". It just felt it lightly breezed over a great story.