This book came highly recommended from my friend, Amy. She was not wrong. This story cannot simply be categorized as historical fiction. It is that, but it is also literary fiction at its finest.

Starting out in the 16th century and spanning time and the globe from Spain during the inquisition to the Ottoman Empire through WWII Paris and on to present day America, the book shows us how we all come from somewhere and truly have lived many lives through our ancestors. It also shows that love transcends time and that sometimes things do not turn out quite the way we would wish them to, but it's the little things that make life worth living and cherishing.

I found myself especially drawn to the characters. I felt an emotional connection and their triumphs and tragedies really struck at the heart. Sometimes a story comes along that is just right and this is that story.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is a remarkable debut novel and I'm really looking forward to Ms. Dweck's next book.

Also see the review on my blog here: http://www.truebookaddict.com/2014/04/nicole-dwecks-debt-of-tamar-review.html ( )

In 1544 Portugal José, his rich aunt Doña Antonia, and his cousin Reyna find themselves caught up in the “Death by burning” of six Jews condemned as heretics in the Portuguese Inquisition. Deeply moved José tries to get involved, but his aunt forcibly restrains him. Later she reveals that they’re Jewish – including the parents he’d never known. Stunned by the knowledge his aunt had kept secret for so many years, José dedicates himself to learning everything he can about his Jewish faith.

When it’s discovered that the family is Jewish, they’re forced to run for their lives. Eventually they arrive in Istanbul, where the reigning Sultan allows Jews to safely worship. In time José marries Reyna. Their child Tamar falls in love with the Sultan’s son, but José is unable to bear the thought of her marrying outside of the faith. He banishes her to an unsettled land, allowing everyone to believe she died from a fever. With that act a curse is placed upon his ancestors that isn’t broken until centuries later when readers are introduced to the last Sultan of Istanbul.

Reading how all the generations since José were tied together, of loves lost and found, and learning about the Ottoman Empire was fascinating. I was glad the Sultan allowed his land to be a place of refuge for the Jews when other countries were kicking them out. It’s too bad that goodwill between the two countries has been deteriorating in the past few years.

Recommended for Adults.

Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2019/11/25/the-debt-of-tamar-by-nicole-... ( )

This story that dances between magic and realism begins in sixteenth century Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, and Palestine, then jump five centuries to Nazi-invaded Paris, then to the newly established State of Israel before landing in present-day Istanbul and New York City. The characters are connected by insatiable love of five centuries to its twenty-first century resolution. On the one hand it is a love story, but on the other, it is the reality of sacrifices of love lost. Philosophical issues of free will and fate become apparent. Dweck skillfully weaves tales of love, sacrifice, and faith, all threaded into a compelling tapestry that will enchant readers from the very first page.

Nicole Dweck's debut novel, The Debt of Tamar, spans four centuries and three continents. The story begins in 16th century Portugal, where thousands of Jews are being forced from their homes and livelihoods. While many are killed, some, including wealthy widow Dona Antonia Nissam, her daughter Reyna, and nephew José, are able to escape to Istanbul in the Ottoman Empire, which under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent is religiously tolerant. Life in Istanbul proves to be good for José, whose intelligence draws him to the attention of Suleiman's son and heir, Selim, who arranges to have José's daughter, Tamar, raised in the harem. Once in the harem, Tamar befriends Selim's son Murat, and over time the two fall in love and vow to marry. When Tamar mysteriously vanishes without a trace, Murat falls into a deep melancholy from which he is unable to recover.

After the disappearance of Tamar, the novel's setting shifts to present day Istanbul, where Selim Osman, grandson of the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, is going through the motions of life while shouldering immense guilt and regret. When he is diagnosed with an almost certainly fatal disease, Selim leaves Istanbul behind and heads to Manhattan for experimental treatment. While in the hospital, Selim meets Hannah, the daughter of Selim's roommate, a French Holocaust survivor named Davide. As Selim and Hannah get to know one another, the story flashes back to Davide's earlier life and history, a history that ties Hannah to Selim in ways neither of them could have imagined.

The Debt of Tamar is a beautifully told tale. Dweck's prose is lyrical, and her descriptions rich and full of vivid detail. The novel's principal setting, Istanbul, is compelling, especially during the parts of the narrative set in the past. While the story itself is an interesting one, the way in which it is told, in three distinct parts (José and Tamar's narrative, Selim's narrative, and Davide's flashbacks), failed to work for me. While each part of narrative connects to the others in ways that are clearly conveyed to the reader, these connections aren't emphasized strongly enough to make the novel feel like one complete story rather than three separate ones. This is most pronounced when the setting of the novel shifts from the past to present day, as the modern day storyline makes only a few references to the events of José and Tamar's narrative. The novel's principal characters are appealing on the surface, but aren't fleshed out well enough for the reader to understand some of the motivations behind their actions. This lack of depth is especially evident when it comes to José, whose behaviour in certain instances is never adequately explained.

Despite the fact that I didn't enjoy The Debt of Tamar as much as I had hoped I would, I do feel the novel is worth reading. I certainly enjoyed Dweck's prose and choice of settings, and because of this would not hesitate to read more from her.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Source: I received a copy of this novel as part of Nicole Dweck's Virtual Book Tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Wonderfully written story that explores how badly secrets can destroy until the power of forgiveness heals all.

Opening Sentence: Jose observed his aunt Dona Antonia, an aging aristocrat who’d taken him in as her own.

The Review:

The Debt of Tamar is quite a bit different than what I thought it was. I was expecting a love story with a history lesson, what I got was a history lesson in Judaism, tragedy and loss with a bit of a love story thrown in. It also heavily revolves around fate and destiny and how badly secrets can destroy or enlighten. The synopsis confused me after I started reading, I had to double check that I was reading the book it said it was about because we don’t even glimpse Selim until well over 100 pages in. With that being said, I did enjoy this novel wholeheartedly. Expect for some heartache, tragedy and tears. This novel does make you explore the unfairness of life and how badly people are judged by their religion.

This novel starts off in the mid-1500’s with the persecution and killing of millions of Jews in Europe. Dona Antonia Mendez has kept a huge secret from her daughter and nephew. She has been raising them as Catholic but secretly their family is Jewish. After, Jose’s (Dona’s nephew) parents were killed in the Inquisition, she hasn’t told them about their heritage. She was waiting for them both to grow up before telling them they were in fact Jewish. Dona has also been secretly helping Jewish people get out of Europe with the use of her massive funds. One day the queen of Portugal come to Dona with a proposition she cannot turn down. Dona’s daughter Reyna will marry the Prince. Portugal is having money problems and needs Dona’s money. Dona lets out the secret of their family to Jose and Reyna. Dona cannot let Reyna marry the Catholic prince, so she is now running away from Portugal with her daughter and nephew to Turkey. A bit of a love story plays out with Jose and Reyna but it isn’t without its tragedy.

In Turkey, Jose and Reyna find a bit of happiness and stability. Jose learns a lot more about his religion. When Jose and Reyna are put almost in the same precarious situation that they were in when they left Portugal. Jose concocts a plan that could only work in a plague ridden world. He cannot let his daughter marry a Muslim Sultan. A Sultan that lives out the rest of his days heartbroken and sullen.

The Sultan family now has a curse that will follow them until a green eyed beauty can redeem them from the curse that has forced the family to wait for love and enlightenment. Selim is empty inside. He’s just counting his days until he dies. After his tragic past he hopes it is sooner than later. Selim meets Ayda. He wants to love her but he just can’t. He tries to push her away but Ayda fights for what she wants and will not let him go so easy. Selim skips out on Ayda for New York City. While there he meets the green eyed Hannah, where history has come full circle. It is up to Hannah to release Selim’s family curse.

It wasn’t until Selim’s story that I kept tearing up. I am tearing up just writing this review. Life is just so unfair and sad. The full circle of the story is supposed to be uplifting. It is supposed to show how someone’s actions in the past can weigh heavily on future events. How the power of forgiveness and help heal wounds inside and out. The story was all these things but I still feel a bit melancholy about how the events in this story play out. Because not only is Selim’s curse lifted but so is Hannah’s.

Overall, I learned quite a bit about the Jewish faith. The story itself is pure fiction but based on some real life characters. I love learning about history and the story that was written was stuff I have not really ever read about so I’m glad that I made this journey. If you love history and want something a bit different. I recommend giving this one a try.

Notable Scene:

“This Is not the dream of a fool, Murad. It is a window into the future.”

“Tell me what it means. Tell me now and tell me quickly.”

“A tree such as that can mean only one thing.”

“Please go on, good sheikh!”

“A tree such as yours can only mean life.”

“Murad looked on, bewildered. “Life?”

“Yes, dear boy. The girl lives on.”

“But the girl in my dream, she is dead.”

“Murad,” Sheikh Suca continued, “the girl is certainly not dead. The debt of her household follows her to a faraway land.”

“Debt?” Murad’s voice was faint.

Holding his beads in his lap, the sheikh pressed his lids down tightly, accessing a world of secrets and spirits beyond. “Your forefathers rescued her household and all its descendants, those living and those yet to be born,” he said with his eyes still sealed. “For this, a debt lingers in the heavens. A time will come when she returns to see it paid.”

FTC Advisory: Thomas Dunne/St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan provided me with a copy of The Debt of Tamar. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )