Description: "…Selz brought a woman’s voice to this era of world history, reflecting as she did upon the limited choices women faced in an era when they were neither permitted education nor given choices in whom they might marry….Selz’s depiction of the home lives
jewish (1732) christians (241) vitoria (138) inquisition (33) jewish cemetery (16) book spain (2) at vitoria marcia riman selz iberian peninsula
How could a medieval Jewish cemetery in Vitoria, Spain be the cause of so much debate? At Vitoria transports the reader to the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the fifteenth century and weaves a story of success, downfall, love, terror, tragedy, shame, and honor. The historical and cultural details surrounding the story make for an evocative narrative that draws the reader in and provides an engaging sense of realism.
At Vitoria introduces the reader to a Jewish family living in medieval Vitoria: The master cobbler BENJAMIN CREVAGO who creates footwear treasures worn by Iberian nobles. He is Jewish to his core, but is also a tortured soul that carries a dreadful secret. His brother VIDAL, who delivers Benjamin’s creations to Christian agents throughout the Iberian Peninsula, but is traumatized when he witnesses the horrors of the Inquisition. Brother physician ROFFE MICHAH helps the Christian community after a great illn
At Vitoria tells how the Crevagos cope with the realities of Inquisition Spain and with the edict of expulsion issued by KING FERDINAND and QUEEN ISABELLA. It is also the story of how the medieval Christians of Vitoria take an oath to preserve the Jewish cemetery and keep this promise for almost 500 years. In 1952, the descendants of the Jews of Vitoria must vote to either release Vitoria’s Town Council from the oath or require the Christians of Vitoria to uphold it.