In his novel, "South of Sepharad: The 1492 Jewish Expulsion from Spain," Eric Z. Weintraub masterfully unfolds the intricate narrative of that pivotal year, employing the nuanced touch of well-researched historical fiction. Weintraub goes beyond mere recounting, infusing history with a personal touch that breathes life into Renaissance geo-politics, revealing the human side of an era defined by shifting identities. Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of Isabella and Ferdinand's Reconquista, a Jewish family grapples with the challenge of preserving not only themselves but also their identity, now in conflict with the only home they've ever known.

As contemporary headlines inundate us with accounts of successive refugee crises, delving into this chapter of Spanish and Jewish history offers invaluable insights and comprehension. Weintraub emerges as a skillful guide, navigating readers through the complexities of the time. "South of Sepharad" stands as a poignant work of historical fiction, arriving precisely when the need for such narratives is most acute.

South of Sepharad is a wonderful book that I believe perfectly reflects a great many Jews and the complex situations they found themselves in and needing to deal with when the Spanish Monarchs issued the edict for their [the Jews'] expulsion in 1492.

We find the ha-Rofeh family, in Grenada, a Jewish yet average family, with all but one child still at home - the oldest daughter, who converted to Christianity, was,married and lived with her husband and his family. On a Sabbath, the ha-Rofehs and then the rest of the Jewish community hears of the edict of expulsion. Its from this point that the story evolves and branches off, and re-emerges. The details, the diction make it all a poignant story that both Jews and non-Jews will love!

Personally, I loved the story and it flowed so well, that I unintentionally finished the book in less than a 24 hour period! I cannot say that about many books!

I love to support debut authors and I love to read about a topic I know little about. When I saw this debut novel with an eye-catching cover and noticed it centered around an important part of Jewish history, I knew I needed to read and learn.

Weintraub’s protagonist, Vidal ha-Rofeh, is a Jewish physician living in Granada, Spain during the early days of the Spanish Inquisition. The story is told through his family’s eyes. When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand issue the Alhambra Decree, Vidal has a difficult decision to make. Under this new law, all Jews in the kingdom must convert to Catholicism or face expulsion. Does he join the others fleeing to Morocco or does he stay with Catalina, his married daughter? How can they face this as a broken family? Doesn't united mean stronger? How can he just up and leave everything?

Weintraub was able to place me in the action and tap into my emotions as he shared the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Not only did I learn a little about this tragic event, but I also got a clearer understanding of the Sephardic Diaspora that continues. My heart was broken reading about the mass migration, the refugees, anti-Semitism, forced separation, and xenophobia. It certainly felt like a contemporary story despite being set in 1492. I felt Vidal’s inner turmoil, his tight hold on his faith, his desperate struggle to understand his daughter’s choice, what it meant for his family, and if it ensured her safety. I felt the emptiness of selling all and moving on into the unknown, as well as the hunger and the struggle Vidal felt when he felt his hands were tied and couldn’t share his gift of healing.

This story about a Jewish family struggling to maintain its identity and remain as a unit in the midst of upheaval was engaging and enlightening.

Courtesy of History Through Fiction and Netgalley, I received the ARC of South of Sepharad by Eric Z. Weintraub. This well researched historical novel portrays the story of a respected Jewish physician and his family in 1492 Spain, during the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and their edict to expell the Jews. By personalizing this family of faith and their eldest daughter who had chosen to convert to Catholicism, the author created a compelling and emotional narrative of this family and their decisions, the betrayal of community members and religious inquisitors, and their exhausting journey to find religious freedom. I highly recommend this important book!

The storyline was good as well as the plot. The novel is interesting. However, for me, most of the characters were too modern in their thinking and their actions. The dialogues somehow often did not seem natural. Overall a good novel with a plausible conclusion.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.