WINNER OF A NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD A USA TODAY BESTSELLER “A gifted writer, astonishingly adept at nuance, narration, and the politics of passion.”—Toni Morrison Set in London of the 1660s and of the early twenty-first century, The Weight of Ink is the interwoven tale of two women of remarkable intellect: Ester Velasquez, an emigrant from Amsterdam who is permitted to scribe for a blind … who is permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi, just before the plague hits the city; and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a love of Jewish history.
When Helen is summoned by a former student to view a cache of newly discovered seventeenth-century Jewish documents, she enlists the help of Aaron Levy, an American graduate student as impatient as he is charming, and embarks on one last project: to determine the identity of the documents’ scribe, the elusive “Aleph.”
Electrifying and ambitious, The Weight of Ink is about women separated by centuries—and the choices and sacrifices they must make in order to reconcile the life of the heart and mind.
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A historical novel that pulled you into the lives of the Jews who had been expelled by the Inquisition and settled in the Netherlands and England.
Great characters, good read. Learned a lot about that time of the century.
I enjoyed this novel. The historical aspects illuminated the contemporary story and added urgency. The characters were universally gifted with fascinating lives, and they were not cursed with contrived love lives. Reading of an inspiring female character in early modern England provided a unique pleasure, and the elderly woman exploring her story in modern England was also poignantly original, not at all a typical heroine in our times. The passions of these people revolved around knowledge and wisdom, although sexual entanglements complicated the plot as well. The Judaism of both eras were unpacked and weighed, shortcomings and joys demonstrated with equal fervor, and hidden treasure took on a new aspect, cloaked in the chemical weaknesses and strengths of ink.
This book provides views of a world that I didn’t know existed–the world of printing and ink and the archeological value of what’s to be learned. Also, the book portrays the dysfunction of people protecting territory related to research and historical findings. I enjoyed this well-written book and its characters.
Loved this story. It was just a bit too long. Could have been tightened up….editor.
One of the most difficult and interesting books I have read in a long time. Took me a long time to finish but well worth it.
one of the best books I’ve ever read!
Although the book was longer than it needed to be, the author’s writing style is so lyrical. She researches historical fiction and educates while telling a wonderful story. Although not a beach book, it was definitely good for a cold winter.
One of the best books I have evr read
I like historical mysteries and I really enjoyed this one. Well-written, good characters and a mystery that I cared about.
Parallel stories of the 17th- and 21st-century England are page-turning as well as informative about philosophy, history, and religion.
Beautifully written. Loved the characters. Highly recommend
Was not a page turner, at times hard to follow. Was interesting learning about ink and preserving paper.
This is one of those stories that switches back and forth in time, but not in a confusing way. Both stories kept my interest. If you read and liked People of the book, you’ll enjoy this one too. It concerns old papers and letters found hidden in the wall of an old house. They were to and from a blind rabbi in the 17th century. The modern story concerns a retiring woman professor and a grad student who is helping her translate .
Started slow, but ended up being a really enjoyable piece of historical fiction.
this is a wonderful book. recommended, especially for Jewish feminists.
A glimpse into 17th Century London and attitudes towards Jews and the woman’s place in Jewish households. This is historical fiction that goes back and forth between the 17th century and 20th century. A mystery involves one of the 17th century characters.
Well worth the read, even if you aren’t Jewish.
Very very slow.
Simply wonderful. This is not an easy read, but stick with it because it is brilliantly written and teaches the reader so much history aka, 1600s to the 2000,s. This novel goes back and forth between the 17th century and now. Fabulous.
Well written and engaging.