Life,
Love and Talmud in Medieval France
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Miriam Reviews
After opening her trilogy on
renowned Talmud scholar Rashi's three daughters with the successful
debut novel Rashi's Daughters, Book 1: Johevev, Anton delivers a tour
de force with this second book. Here, the headstrong determination of
middle daughter Miriam enables her to face head-on the many challenges
endured by women of the 11th century, even if it does pose a problem
for her father. Anton draws readers into life, love, and Talmud in
medieval France, and her extensive research into this time period shows
in her deft portrait of what life might have been like for the young
daughter of a Jewish scholar. Readers will be fascinated as Miriam is
appointed the community's midwife and will grimace as she decides to
become a mohel, or ritual circumciser. They will fly through the nearly
500 pages and come away wishing for more. This fresh approach to
historical fiction is recommended for all public libraries, especially
those serving a large Jewish population; a study guide is available
online. [Anton's third novel in the trilogy will center on Rashi's
youngest daughter, Rachel.
--Ed.]-Marika Zemke, Commerce Twp. Community Lib., MI A "starred"
review in Library Journal
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"In RASHI'S DAUGHEERS Maggie Anton
has created a genre all its own: historical fiction where avid Talmud
learning, candid sensuality and subtle feminism meet. In BOOK II:
MIRIAM, Maggie has surpassed herself. She offers Talmudic insights,
true to life yet colorful characters and a riveting plot, which
together make for a most informative and enjoyable read. Not to be
missed!"
--Eva Etzioni-Halevy,
Author of The Song of Hannah and The Garden of Ruth |
"Rashi and his extended family become real people with very
familiar challenges and triumphs -- difficulty in childbirth, the place
of educated women in a society not used to that, and the sacred quest
for Jewish learning coupled with the need to earn a living. Well
researched and absolutely intriguing to read... what a wonderful story
this is!"
--Rabbi Elliot N.
Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, American
Jewish University (formerly the University of Judaism), Los Angeles. |
Recommended for Book Club Reading Lists, 2007-2008
-- Association of Jewish Libraries |
| **** [4-stars] This memorable novel gives readers a
wonderful portrait of the 11th century as well as a heroine with spirit
and passion. -Kathe Robin, Romantic Times, Sept 2007 |
Maggie Anton's style is understated and unusual, but
she drew me inexorably into the world of Miriam and her family in 11th
century France until by the end I wanted to read on; I will certainly
be purchasing Book III. … Homosexuality is a theme of the book but you
should not approach it as a gay fiction, slash, romance or erotica
book. This is primarily a story of Miriam's family and their lives.
Judah's gradual recognition of the nature of his desires is a slowly
developing subplot of a much richer, larger tale. Miriam and Judah are
people whose lives are both enriched and constrained by their family
and religious obligations, which provide the perfect setting for a tale
about love as real people experience it. Many characters and subplots
weave through the story of which Judah's is only one, but the one I
(unsurprisingly) found particularly interesting and loaded with pathos.
... This is truly a book for the 'keeper' shelf.
-- Forbidden Fruit, Sept 2007 |
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Anton's
books
(the first focused on the elder daughter, Joheved) immerse us in
this rich culture, with a focus on Rashi's three very learned
daughters. … The text is liberally studded with writings from the
Talmud, as characters learn and debate various teachings. And is also
laden with knowledge and beliefs of the time, both general and
religious. Miriam's immersion into the medical world, both as midwife
and mohel-in-training, allows the author opportunities to include the
current understanding of medical matters … These books (best read in
order) provide a fascinating glimpse into another world.
--
Trudi E. Jacobson, Historical Novels Review, Aug 2007
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It is one of the strengths of the series that Anton chooses
to focus not on Rashi himself, but on his daughters, about whom a
modern writer may feel freer to speculate without coming up against a
tradition of reverence. She allows herself to imagine that the great
scholar, with no sons to teach, might have taught his daughters Torah,
though doing so was contrary to the conventions of his era. … The great
treat in these books is the richness of detail with which Anton
portrays the intimate details of life: the wine harvest, midwifery,
cookery, fashion, jewelry - all are woven into the rich tapestry of
life in Rashi's household. …Readers may be surprised to find some of
the Talmud's most explicit passages, relating to all manner of
sexuality, discussed in Rashi's household, as the women look in its
pages for resolutions to marital issues just as they would for rulings
on Shabbat observance. … Anton's research is impressive, and by
blending romance with with Talmud, the books may inspire women who
would not otherwise have done so to undertake Talmud study themselves.
-- Rahel Lerner, Lilith Magazine, Spring 2008 |
"Rashi's Daughters MIRIAM gives us a fascinating glimpse into
the world of Jewish women long ago. A wonderful read!"
--Rabbi
Elyse
Goldstein, author ReVisions: Seeing Torah through A
Feminist Lens
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“Once again, Maggie Anton has
delighted us with an engrossing story of the family and the circle of
students around Rashi, the medieval commentator on the Bible and
Talmud. Rashi’s Daughters: Miriam is a sensitive portrayal of a
complex young woman, a conscientious midwife and healer, who strives
for learning, love and inner contentment. This unique historical novel
acquaints the reader with a variety of distinctive men and women who
reflect upon and struggle with the powerful forces within and outside
of them.”
--Jody Myers,
Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Coordinator, Jewish Studies
Program California State University, Northridge
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“Who knew that traditional Jewish
life in medieval France could be so bound up in physical desire?
In this compelling and well-researched historical novel, Anton
shows us the love, family, sex and death that made up the daily lives
of those surrounding the greatest rabbinic commentator in history. This
creative reading of the life of Rashi’s second daughter, Miriam,
suggests that gender, sex, and sexuality were as complicated then as
they are now.”
--David
Shneer, Director, Center for Judaic Studies, Associate Professor,
History, University of Denver
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