Recipient of the Independent Publishers Award for Historical Fiction (Gold Medal), the Foreword Book of the Year Award for Historical Fiction (Bronze Medal), and an honorable mention in the category of General Fiction for the Eric Hoffer Award.
Luis de Santángel, chancellor to the court and longtime friend of the lusty King Ferdinand, has had enough of the Spanish Inquisition. As the power of Inquisitor General Tomás de Torquemada grows, so does the brutality of the Spanish church and the suspicion and paranoia it inspires. When a dear friend’s demise brings the violence close to home, Santángel is enraged and takes retribution into his own hands. But he is from a family of conversos, and his Jewish heritage makes him an easy target. As Santángel witnesses the horrific persecution of his loved ones, he begins slowly to reconnect with the Jewish faith his family left behind. Feeding his curiosity about his past is his growing love for Judith Migdal, a clever and beautiful Jewish woman navigating the mounting tensions in Granada. While he struggles to decide what his reputation is worth and what he can sacrifice, one man offers him a chance he thought he’d lost…the chance to hope for a better world. Christopher Columbus has plans to discover a route to paradise, and only Luis de Santángel can help him. Within the dramatic story lies a subtle, insightful examination of the crisis of faith at the heart of the Spanish Inquisition. Irresolvable conflict rages within the conversos in By Fire, By Water, torn between the religion they left behind and the conversion meant to ensure their safety. In this story of love, God, faith, and torture, fifteenth-century Spain comes to dazzling, engrossing life.
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“[A] remarkably learned and heartbreaking romantic novel…with a deft blend of straightforwardness and subtlety…Beautifully executed, highly recommended.” —The Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Mitchell James Kaplan’s By Fire, By Water must take its place as one of the most important contemporary historical novels with a Jewish theme.” —Ha’aretz
“By Fire, By Water is an exciting introduction to the political, social and theological issues of Spain in the late 15th century. Those already familiar with this period will enjoy fleshing out their knowledge with the sights, sounds and, above all, intense emotions of the era.” —Hadassah Magazine
“A beautiful tapestry... Despite its epic sweep, By Fire, By Water is also an intimate portrait of a remarkable individual...” —Tirdad Derakshani, Philadelphia Inquirer
“By Fire, By Water contains many well-crafted phrases and much interesting information, but its greatest merit is in demonstrating parallels between a notorious period in human history and disturbing developments in modern life.” —Philadelphia Quarterly
“Kaplan, a screenwriter, sets his debut novel in 15-century Spain, amid the Inquisition, the attempt to unify the kingdoms of Spain under Christian rule, and the voyage of Christopher Columbus to what the seaman expects will be the Indies. The action centers on the historical figure of Luis de Santángel, chancellor to the king of Aragon and a converso, a Jewish convert to Christianity at a time when the Inquisition sought to repress ‘judaizing’….Kaplan has done remarkable homework on the period and crafted a convincing and complex figure in Santángel in what is a naturally cinematic narrative and a fine debut.” —Publishers Weekly
“Debut novelist Kaplan depicts a turbulent period in 15th-century Spain, focusing on the story of Aragon’s royal chancellor… Deftly moves through a complex web of personal relationships, religious zeal and political fervor.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Beautifully written, By Fire, By Water is a powerful story of religion, love and violence--timeless themes honed by Kaplan into an enthralling narrative that doesn't let up until the last sentence." —Simon Read, author of War of Words
“Kaplan’s writing is exceptional, his intelligence and research on the subject superb. 2010 seems to be the year for new and fabulous voices in the Historical Fiction world and Kaplan is no exception. I look forward to reading many more of his books in the future!” —Amy Bruno, Passages to the Past
“This book was like no other book I have ever read.” —Heather Rieseck, The Maiden’s Court
“Blending artistry with intense drama and violence, By Fire, By Water takes readers on a picturesque tour of the Iberian Peninsula of the mid-1400s….By Fire, By Water is a finely crafted novel, so well done that it would be hard to imagine how it could be made better. It’s rare to find historical fiction this intense and exquisite.” —Bookreporter.com
“A must-read.” —Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
“A grand novel that shows not only Kaplan's knack for storytelling, but also his eye for details and willingness to do extensive research.” —Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“Kaplan's greatest success is in his ability to portray the inner lives of his characters.” —Washington Jewish Week
“This novel recreates a historical moment of vast and far-reaching changes as well as the complex personality of Santángel, the high government official who placed his hopes for redemption far beyond his society’s horizons.” —Reform Judaism Magazine
Mitchell James Kaplan graduated with honors from Yale University, where he won the Paine Memorial Prize for Best Long-Form Senior Essay submitted to the English Department. His first mentor was the author William Styron.
After college, Kaplan lived in Paris, France, where he worked as a translator, then in Southern California, where he worked as a screenwriter and in film production.
"By Fire, By Water" is his first novel. He lives in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania with his family.
Reviews of "By Fire, By Water" (so far):
Kaplan's portrait of the political and personal problems facing a powerful converso courtier successfully evokes the religious and cultural complexity of Spain on the eve of Columbus' voyage and the expulsion of the Jews." - Adam Shear, Professor of Medieval History, University of Pittsburgh and prize-winning author of The Kuzari and the Shaping of Jewish Identity, 1167-1900, Cambridge University Press, 2008Â
"[A] brilliant and poetic novel of decent people in a world gone mad... Author Mitchell James Kaplan writes with breathtaking poetry and compassion... A rich story, a wonderful book, a deeply feeling writer." - Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille
"[Mitchell Kaplan is] an enormously gifted writer. The language and narrative movement are graceful, impeccable, authentic, and a pleasure to read. The subject is a powerfully important one, one that has not been tackled well in past works. By Fire, By Water captures the reader immediately and... will have many readers." -- award-winning poet Myra Sklarew, author of Over the Rooftops of Time
"Beautifully written, By Fire, By Water is a powerful story of religion, love and violence--timeless themes honed by Kaplan into an enthralling narrative that doesn't let up until the last sentence." -- Simon Read, author of War of Words
"Kaplan has done remarkable homework on the period and crafted a convincing and complex figure in Santángel in what is a naturally cinematic narrative and a fine debut." --Â Publishers Weekly
"Debut novelist Kaplan depicts a turbulent period in 15th-century Spain, focusing on the story of Aragon's royal chancellor... Deftly moves through a complex web of personal relationships, religious zeal and political fervor." --Â Kirkus Reviews
"[Kaplan's] portrayal of this remarkable man and woman and their struggles to reconcile their past with their future amidst a rising storm of persecution humanizes his tale; and his evocation of a troubled Spain at the crossroads of its own past and future is equally well drawn." -- CW Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
"Kaplan's knowledge of daily life in 15th-century Spain, as well as the political intrigues of the court and the church, make for an engrossing read... Real men and women rather than historical caricatures." -- Patricia O'Sullivan, Historical Novels Review
"A heart wrenching tale told with  skill...Mitchell James Kaplan has effectively written a powerful story that I will always remember." --  Marie Burton, The Burton Review
"Blending artistry with intense drama and violence, BY FIRE, BY WATER... [is]Â Â so well done that it would be hard to imagine how it could be made better. It's rare to find historical fiction this intense and exquisite. The book is as touching to read as it is disturbing. Every detail is sharp and stunningly described." -- Â Melanie Smith, Bookreporter.com
"Kaplan's writing is exceptional, his intelligence and research on the subject superb. I look forward to reading many more of his books in the future." -- Â Amy Bruno, Passages to the Past
"A very moving and illuminating novel... based on a solid foundation of historical facts."Â -- Layers of Thought (www.layersofthought.net)
Meticulously researched... A story of a people, the conversos, searching for their history... Very literary... Historical fiction lovers will enjoy it for the numerous historical personas as well as descriptions of life in medieval Spain. -- Arleigh Johnson, historical-fiction.com
An historical novel of depth, passion and faith which held me spellbound. Big, passionate, brilliantly written, full of court intrigue and religious politics... Kaplan's descriptions are gorgeous. He effortlessly transports the reader into the past. - www.caribousmom.com
This incredible book captured me... Is it a light read; no. Is it a happy story; sometimes. Is it an important story; yes. -- booksandchat.net
"Terrific." - Luke Ford, lukeford.net
"A gifted wordsmith and a story teller second to none." - Basia Or-Rafael, Michal'sTeffilin (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michals-Tefillin/148052994492)
"This novel recreates a historical moment of vast and far-reaching changes as well as the complex personality of Santángel, the high government official who placed his hopes for redemption far beyond his society's horizons." - Reform Judaism Magazine (Fall, 2010)
"Kaplan's greatest success is in his ability to portray the inner lives of his characters." - Washington Jewish Week (7/22/2010)
"A beautifully crafted novel... This book has it all - suspense, intrigue, religion, romance and history." Heather Smith, www.actingbalanced.com
"Kaplan writes in a vivid and fluid manner, his characters are realistic, the scenes at times almost too vividly described... A brilliant debut." Jennifer Higgins, www.rundpinne.com
"The descriptions of places and people are vivid and real. You feel the love, hate, fear, paranoia, and sadness. It was like an emotional roller coaster that I couldn't get off!" - Kelsey's Book Coner http://kelseyopsahl.blogspot.com/2010/07/review-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell.html
"I have read numerous novels set during the time of the Spanish Inquisition... None can compare with the power and beauty of By Fire, By Water... Not only is this book a vivid historical account of the time, it is also a beautifully composed love story that will take your breath away." renees-reads.blogspot.com
"Fast-paced and suspenseful." Kathleen Kelly, Celtic Lady's Reviews (http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell-james.html)
"This book, the first novel by Mitchell James Kaplan, will stay with you a long time. If you like historical novels, this is for you. If you like religious history, this is for you. If you like character studies of complex people, some fictional, some historical, this is the ticket!" - Vicki Goode, The Goode Word (http://vickicgoode.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-fire-by-water.html
"I can not believe this is Mitch Kaplan's first novel.  The time period is so intricate yet he weaves each of the conflicts together through the protagonist.  Without being superfluous, he describes the beauty of Spain, along with the architecture, in a visceral manner.  The story moves along succinctly yet includes all the necessary information to understand the conflict and history... The history is incredibly well researched." - A Musing Reviews (http://amusingreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-historical-novel-is-set-in-pivotal.html)
"A superb debut novel that contained everything I always hope to find in historical fiction... Obviously well-researched, a beautifully written, powerful and moving story... Has definitely earned a place on my 10 Best Historical Fiction list." - Tell Me A Story (http://cat-bookmagic.blogspot.com/2010/09/review-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell.html)
"A must-read." - Lee Chottiner in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle (http://www.pittchron.com/view/full_story/9358721/article-%E2%80%98By-Fire--By-Water%E2%80%99-a-must-read-?instance=home_news_style_right)
"A grand novel that shows not only Kaplan's knack for storytelling, but also his eye for details and willingness to do extensive research." - Rege Behe in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/books/s_697662.html)
"Must take its place as one of the most important contemporary historical novels with a Jewish theme. One could also argue that its portrayal of religious and ethnic hatred in the Spain of Ferdinand and Isabella (or, as Kaplan calls them, Fernando and Ysabel ) is a better way to understand the Jewish world today than the work of many of the hip, hyped young Jewish novelists clawing to the top of literary New York." - Matt Beynon Rees in Ha'aretz (http://www.haaretz.com/culture/books/the-key-to-return-1.311999
"Kaplan has done an immense amount of research with By Fire, by Water, never overloading the reader with facts and details, but skillfully interweaving them so the reader is taken along on this enchanting story with actual events, as well as learning a lot on fifteenth century Spain, and this fractious period in history." - Alex C. Telander, Book Banter (http://bookbanter.wordpress.com/category/fiction/historical-fiction-fiction/)
"Kaplan left me feeling that his research on the Spanish Inquisition was sound and extensive... I really enjoyed this book!" - The Book Whisperer (http://boofsbookshelf.com/2010/09/30/mummy-whisperer-reviews-by-fire-by-water-by-mitchell-kaplan/)
"A beautiful tapestry... Despite its epic sweep, By Fire, By Water is also an intimate portrait of a remarkable individual..." - Tirdad Derakshani, Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20101007__By_Fire__By_Water__delves_into_key_moment_in_Jewish_history.html)
For more information about Mitchell James Kaplan and his first novel, "By Fire, By Water" visit www.mitchelljameskaplan.com
Set in 15th century Spain during the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand, this beautifully written tale is about the ordinary men and women swept up in the chaos and upheavel of the Inquisition and the 1492 Expulsion of the Jews.
This can be difficult subject matter for a novelist, both because of its complex historical context as for its tendency to incite a modern-day viewpoint of events that happened over 500 years ago. Mr Kaplan, however, has created a vividly rendered, sensitive account of this intense time as seen through the eyes of Aragon's converso chancellor, Luis de Santangel, who helped convince Queen Isabella to finance Columbus, and Judith Midgal, aunt of Columbus's official translator. His portrayal of this remarkable man and woman and their struggles to reconcile their past with their future amidst a rising storm of persecution humanizes his tale; and his evocation of a troubled Spain at the crossroads of its own past and future is equally well drawn.
King Fernando and Queen Ysabel have united the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, and are preparing to drive the Moors (and, ultimately, the Jews) out of Granada. Torquemada is prosecuting the Inquisition, against both secular and priestly opposition. Meanwhile Cristobal Colon seeks the funds to sail west to Asia.
In the middle of all this is Luis de Santangel, the wealthy "Comptroller of the Treasury", intimate of King Fernando, "third generation" Christian, descendant of converted Jews, and target of Torquemada.
Kaplan has invented an expanded life and historical presence for Santangel, placing him where he needs him as protagonist of this novel of a key period in European--and American--history. But the real Santangel did play a role in the events of the time and, while personally protected by Fernando from Torquemada, lost close family members to the inquisition.
A novel of this sort always has to balance historical fact, character believability, and the demands of the plot. All in all, Kaplan makes a good effort of it, the result being a very readable novel that does minimal damage to history.
A lot of historical action is tightly bound with great human suffering in this relatively short novel. I've read few recent books that kept compelling me to read on the way this one did.
The best historical fiction contains no "What if?" scenarios, as you read it you never encounter anything that is not in the "This could have (probably did) happened" category. In this engaging novel, there is no point where Kaplan deviates from the area of highly likely history. The setting is Spain of the late fifteenth century when the forces of Christianity are moving southward down the Iberian Peninsula and conquering the Islamic holdings. Ferdinand and Isabella have wed, uniting the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon and their forces are waging war against Granada. Under the control of General Torquemada, the Spanish Inquisition is growing in brutality and power, even King Ferdinand himself must be wary of challenging it. In this fiery mix, there is the substantial Jewish population as well as the "conversos", people of a Jewish heritage that converted to Christianity. Given the zealous nature of the Inquisition, now so strong that even the Pope is wary of their actions, the conversos are easy targets of the soldiers in the army of Torquemada. Luis de Santangel is a wealthy chancellor to the court of King Ferdinand, his friend and a conversos. Like so many others, Santangel detests the Inquisition, but unlike others he chooses to act. He conspires to have the Chief Inquisitor of Aragon murdered, hoping to cover the tracks of the misdeeds of his friends. Unfortunately, the fear and hopes of reward generated by the Inquisition are great and he is eventually taken under arrest. A secondary, yet significant subplot is that of Christopher Columbus, a near zealot in the depth of his passion to sail westward from Spain in order to land in eastern Asia. Columbus continues to lobby the crown for funding, at first he is dismissed, but as is always the case, the thought of great wealth will convince people to do unusual things. Santangel supports Columbus, doing what he can to see that the initial voyage takes place. Another subplot is Santangel's love for a Jewish woman and the fate of the Jews in Spain as the Christian forces defeat the Moslems and tighten their control. Fundamental to all of this is the problem of religion run amok during the Spanish Inquisition; it is fundamentally not about religion, but about power. Many people, including those high in the Catholic Church, dislike what the Inquisition is doing, understanding that it is about power and wealth, not really about religion. It is also about the fate of the Jews in Spain, being stripped of their wealth and deported, made a scapegoat for deep problems in the society and a source of wealth for the nobility. Kaplan has created a superb novel of a world about to undergo a fundamental change, where Spain would leverage its' holdings in the New World to great power status, only to create fundamental social problems in the Spanish society that remained a problem into the twentieth century.
