The Last Jew

By: Noah Gordon

Narrated by: Phillip Church

In the year 1492, the Inquisition has all of Spain in its grip. After centuries of pogrom-like riots encouraged by the Church, the Jews - who have been an important part of Spanish life since the days of the Romans - are expelled from the country by royal edict. Many who wish to remain are intimidated by Church and Crown and become Catholics, but several hundred thousand choose to retain their religion and depart; given little time to flee, some perish even before they can escape from Spain.

Yonah Toledano, the 15-year-old son of a celebrated Spanish silversmith, has seen his father and brother die during these terrible days - victims whose murders go almost unnoticed in a time of mass upheaval. Trapped in Spain by circumstances, he is determined to honor the memory of his family by remaining a Jew.

On a donkey named Moise, Yonah begins a meandering journey, a young fugitive zigzagging across the vastness of Spain. Toiling at manual labor, he desperately tries to cling to his memories of a vanished culture. As a lonely shepherd on a mountaintop, he hurls snatches of almost forgotten Hebrew at the stars, as an apprentice armorer he learns to fight like a Christian knight. Finally, as a man living in a time and land where danger from the Inquisition is everywhere, he deals with the questions that mark his past. How he discovers the answers, how he finds his way to a singular and strong Marrano woman, how he achieves a life with the outer persona of a respected Old Christian physician and the inner life of a secret Jew, is the fabric of this novel. The Last Jew is a glimpse of the past, an authentic tale of high adventure, and a tender and unforgettable love story. In it, Noah Gordon utilizes his greatest strengths, and the result is remarkable and moving.

©2000 Lise Gordon, Jamie Beth Gordon, and Michael Seay Gordon (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Captivating as the others

Familiar themes run through this work. But there are a few twists. Worth the read.

Aprendí mucho de la historia

Me gusto que no es tan larga . Bien narrada . Me gustó que usan palabras en español y cuando los personajes de otro capítulo aparecen nos recuerdan sobré ellos

The Last Jew

Characters, Dialoge, & Description was excellent. More important was this a part of history that isn't taught in school. I enjoy learning & I did with this novel.

Wonderful

Really enjoy this book, this is one of my favorite author . I recommended , the story, the accuracy and history is superb .

Enjoyed very much

The book is written by a very rich in eloquent language. In describes the events in Spain 1480 through 1515 in great detail. The main character, Spain itself, the atmosphere of inquisition, all of and described perfectly.

Great story

I recently made a trip to Spain & learned a lot about the Spanish Inquisition. This book topped off my trip. I enjoyed the book very much.

Lots of great history in a compelling story

The story and the history and nicely intertwined. The characters are good but a bit two dimensional. Still, the story moves along very nicely and the insights into Inquisition Spain are wonderful.

Good writer and great stories

I have enjoyed all of the Noah Gordon books I have read so far 6.

Terrible Narrator

I love Noah Gordon as an author and have read nearly all his books except this one. That said, if this book had not been given to me as a gift, I would have abandoned it because of the terrible narrator. His performance was like he was reading a grocery list.

Disappointing narration

I love Noah Gordon's writing, but the Narrator doe it injustice. It sounds like a computer is reading it. Couldn't get through the first 2 hours...