Michelle Cameron

As any of you know who have been reading my book reviews are aware, I do love historical fiction. It's my favorite genre. But in the all the eras I delve into I do love to go back into ancien times. So when I was offered a copy of Babylon to review it hit on two preferred areas of reading; religious and ancient. Yes, this Atheist enjoys reading religious history. Go figure.

The history of the Jewish peoples is not an easy one and this particular part of that story was just one of the many times a conquering horde tried (and failed) to destroy them. I was hooked from the beginning as I followed the trials and tribulations of the people living happily together until suddenly everyting was upended and destroyed.

Many die but those that survive are committed to making sure that despite prohibitions the Faith will live on. The novel covers generations but remains a story of one theme - survival. Not always an easy read, but definitely a book worth reading.

It had me hooked from the beginning and I was reluctant to put the book down at night to go to sleep. The descriptions of the scenery from the city to the desert were vivid and the character development was rich and deep.

A fascinating look at a time period not often covered - at least not in what I have read. But I'll be looking for more.… (mehr)

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.… (mehr)

It's rare to find a historical novel set during Napoleon's invasion of Italy, let alone one incorporating the Jewish experience, so I am glad this book was written. At times, this novel felt like a romance (I kept guessing how the characters might pair up) and at others it felt like a thinly veined version of current events. The violence and hatred directed at the Jewish community is painful to read, but also sadly familiar. Overall, this book wasn't what I was expecting, but in a way that made it better than I anticipated.… (mehr)

For her entire life Mirelle has known life behind the Ghetto gates. Every Jew in Ancona, Italy must live within the gated area. Her father runs a renowned Ketubah workshop and Mirelle relishes in the artistry, she also has a talent for keeping her father's accounting books in check. However, as Mirelle becomes a marriageable age, it becomes improper for her to work in the shop. Mirelle's parents also have a very wealthy suitor in mind for her. As these changes come into Mirelle's life, Napoleon's French Troops arrive in Ancona. With the troops arrives Christopher, a French soldier who makes Mirelle question her faith, her morals and her family.

Beyond the Ghetto Gates is a transformative coming of age story as well as a deeply historical account of Napoleon's influence on Jewish communities during his Italian Campaign in 1796. I didn't know anything about Napoleon's time in Italy and was amazed by the changes he created as well as his infatuation with a miracle portrait of a Madonna. The writing changes between the points of view of Mirelle, Daniel and Christopher in Napoleon's troops and a Catholic family, Emilio and Francesca. All of these points of view are important to the story, however, it takes a little while to set everything up and the story didn't completely capture my interest until everyone's story lines came together. Mirelle's character was very well written. From the beginning I was amazed by her intelligence, steadfastness, caring nature and maturity. Mirelle's journey to find her purpose in life is a difficult one, filled with missteps, challenges and self realization. I appreciated that while romance was a part of the story, it was not what Mirelle fell back on in order to improve herself. Through Daniel and Christopher we see the impact of Napoleon's campaign through the eyes of both a Jewish and Catholic soldiers and their interactions with the citizens of Ancona. They see the effects of injustice as well as the positive and negative effects of faith on people and what that can drive them to do. I didn't know anything about Napoleon's Italian campaign or even the original Italian Ghettos before reading this and was glad to open my eyes to this part of history. The writing created vivid imagery of Ancona, the Ketubah workshop and the dazzling homes. Beyond the Ghetto Gates is an amazing story of courage, hope and doing what's right.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (mehr)