When French troops occupy the Italian port city of Ancona, freeing the city’s Jews from their repressive ghetto, it unleashes a whirlwind of progressivism and brutal backlash as two very different cultures collide. Mirelle, a young Jewish maiden, must choose between her duty—an arranged marriage to a wealthy Jewish merchant—and her love for a dashing French Catholic soldier. Meanwhile, Francesca, … Francesca, a devout Catholic, must decide if she will honor her marriage vows to an abusive and murderous husband when he enmeshes their family in the theft of a miracle portrait of the Madonna.
Set during the turbulent days of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Italian campaign (1796–97), Beyond the Ghetto Gates is both a cautionary tale for our present moment, with its rising tide of anti-Semitism, and a story of hope—a reminder of a time in history when men and women of conflicting faiths were able to reconcile their prejudices in the face of a rapidly changing world.
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Review of Beyond the Ghetto Gates by author, Michelle Cameron
I was immediately captured by this fascinating story which led me on an unexpected journey through the Ghetto of Ancona, Italy and beyond.
With its tension between Jewish and Christian cultures and traditions, to voices needing to be heard, the clinging to hopes and dreams, and its illuminating and knowledgeable reference to artistry~ Ms. Cameron has recreated a time in history along with fictional elements that makes this a strikingly vivid, and meaningful read.
This far away place and time, within the late 1700’s, is brimming with character, sensitivity, attention to detail, strongly written personalities, and historical facts which tie this narrative together in a most significant and satisfying way.
Beyond the Ghetto Gates is a beautiful, colorful, and compelling read as Mirelle, Dolce, Daniel and Christophe bring the reader face to face with the diversity of the times, their needs, wants, successes and failures. Along with the help from others, who add more than their share of repressive and dark behavior to this storyline, Ms. Cameron gifts to her reader an amazing experience. One that should not be missed as it presents as an authentic story of love, loss and heartbreak. One I won’t soon forget…
5 Stars
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In this beautifully told story, Cameron recreates for us a historical period and place that are unfamiliar to many readers. She meticulously takes us to the town of Ancora, Italy during the time of the French conquest and occupation under Napoleon’s command. The plot centers around Mirelle, a young Jewish woman who faces restrictions both from within and from outside her community. The story of her challenges and how she meets them unfolds within a context of well-developed and believable characters. Cameron’s novel informs, entertains, and additionally inspires reflection on how prejudice can shape and distort who we ar
With so many people watching the Netflix series UNORTHODOX, this is the perfect time to read the story of a Jewish girl trying to escape from her own ghetto gates in Italy early 19th century. The need for women to find their own love and work and meaning outside of the rules of a religious community goes back very far.
So I devoured this engrossing, passionate story who wants only to work with her beloved father in his workshop. But even after Napoleon invades Italy, liberates her city, and breaks down the ghetto gates, customs still enclose Mirelle both as a Jew and a woman. And outside the gates are waiting the riots of anti-Semitism, tragic loss, and a difficult love. These pages are splashed with brilliant colors between the dark corners of this lost world where ghetto buildings are built so close and high that people cannot see the stars. You will live and breathe this young woman’s struggles to have what she wants and still honor her family until the unexpected last paragraphs―and then for a long time after.
I really loved this book and the way that it intertwined history with the story.
This book took place in Italy around the time of Napolean’s run through Europe. Interesting historical perspectives of a time I was not well versed in. Well written and a quick enjoyable read.
Interesting social history
Very well written depiction of the time in Italy’s history under Napoleon.
In Beyond the Ghetto Gates, Michelle Cameron achieves exactly what I want from historical fiction: an engrossing, complex, relevant story that reveals little-known aspects of its historical time and place. It’s 1797. In the main love story, Mirelle, a young Italian Jewish woman faces cultural, religious, financial, and personal conflicts when she falls in love with the wrong man—a Christian French enemy soldier. (Delicious!)
It’s the aftermath of the French Revolution and General Napoleon Bonaparte is fighting a proxy war with Austria on Italian soil. In each town he conquers, he frees the Jews. He breaks down the gates that restrict Jews to ghettos, relieves them of the yellow insignias they were required to wear (!), and incorporates them into the municipal power structures. The Catholics, who previously terrorized their Jewish neighbors, add Napoleon’s plunder of their ecclesiastical riches to their reasons they repress the Jews.
In this turbulent world, Mirelle—who was already fighting restrictions on females within her Jewish culture—must find learn which “gates” protect more than they restrain.
The story is engaging, the writing is superb, and the historical detail is thought-provoking. It’s a novel you’ll long remember—highly recommended.
Such a pleasure to read about a slice of history I knew nothing about, with strong female characters and well drawn settings!
Beyond the Ghetto Gates, by Michelle Cameron, parts the curtain on life in late 18th century Ancona, Italy’s Jewish ghetto while under the occupation of Napoleon’s troops. Rich in historic detail and well-drawn characters, this compelling novel breathes life into the conflicts of the times: women’s place in society, religious intolerance, and the expectations of one’s community. If you are a fan of romance, history, and intrigue, you will love Beyond the Ghetto Gates.
For lovers of Historical Fiction, Beyond The Ghetto Gates by Michelle Cameron, is a must-read! She not only gives us compelling and colorful characters, but a window into a time and place that is not well known. When Napoleon suddenly tears down the gates of the Ancona Ghetto and liberates the Jews in 1796, it unleashes a wave of Anti-Semitism among the Catholic community. Elegantly written and crafted, the author gives us a novel that brings us into a world where the role of women is extremely circumscribed. And yet in Mirelle, she has given us a female character who grapples and fights against the restrictions of religion and society as she seeks fulfillment and happiness. From the vividly drawn descriptions of her father’s ketubah workshop — in which she is forbidden to work by the town rabbi — to her love affair with a Christian soldier, this is a book that I could not put down. Michelle Cameron has given us a novel that defines the Historical Fiction genre. It both teaches and touches at the same time that it raises questions that are relevant today.
Set in the years 1796-97, this book tells of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Italian campaign and the Jewish struggle for emancipation. It tells of the friction between the Catholic world and the Jewish world. This was a time when the Jews were required to live within ghettos. I was interested in the resistance Napoleon had to deal with. I was unaware that Napoleon was involved with the liberation of Italy’s Jewish ghettos. That was really interesting to me. I was also saddened by the extent of the anti-Semitic violence of the time. The book was highly informative about this time of great changes in Italy’s history.
Reading about the lack of control the women had over their lives made me so thankful I did not live in those times.
The details in the story reflect the depth of research the author did to give us such an engaging story. The descriptions of the ketubot (Jewish marriage certificates) in Mirelle’s father’s shop led me to the internet looking for images of the Ancona ketubot. I was awed by many of them.
I recommend this to those who enjoy reading about the Age of Enlightenment.
Beautifully Written, Charming Story!
Cameron’s book, “Beyond the Ghetto Gate,” is set in the Jewish ghettos in late 18th century Ancona, Italy, and is a wonderful gift of language, story and history. I immediately fell in love with her heroine, Mirelle, a Jewish maiden who desires more for her life and has the intelligence to achieve it, if she’s allowed. Cameron’s writing is truly beautiful, with imagery so vivid – describing a woman’s ensemble: a slim column dress of blue sprig muslin, a tall hat tilted rakishly to one side, her feet encased in soft slippers of sapphire kid – you’re immediately transported to the Ancona ghetto. This is a lovely and charming story, even if you don’t consider yourself a historical fiction enthusiast.
The subject is important, and Michelle Cameron treats it with seriousness and sensitivity. I could not put this book down.
It’s a new release I can hardly wait to read! Review coming….after I read it!