Customer Reviews

The Broken Bracelet

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As a 72-year-old, the reading of this book proved to be a joy. Apparently written for teen-agers, it appealed to a senior citizen like myself. I had been familiar with the history of the Jews of Spain and Portugal, but this story brought ordinary history to life. It wove fact and fiction into a story that did not distort the history unreasonably. It was a story filled with many surprises. It blended all of this with Jewish and human beliefs of faith and being strong both physically and in ones convictions.

Historically it covered the expulsion of the Jews of Spain with some finding temporary shelter in Portugal and others wandering the world for a safe place to live. It told about King John II and King Manuel I of Portugal. It discussed their treatment of the Jews and the Church's efforts to convert them.

It blended a true-life Jewish hero, Rabbi Abraham Zacuto, with, I believe, a fictitious family, and carrying them through an historical adventure involving the "black plague", forced conversions, kidnapping and baptizing Jewish children, abandoning these children on a diseased island off of West Africa, and pirate adventures.

Finally there is a family reunion and the finding of a peaceful home in Turkey

B"H

I found this book at a friend's house, on the nightstand. I couldn't put it down. I didn't sleep a wink! It is adolescent literature, but it is wonderful!!