| ABOUT THE AUTHOR | | | BOOKS | | | EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | | | PRESS & INTERVIEWS | | | CONTACT |
Books |
|
The Fruit of Her Hands What makes "The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz" by Michelle Cameron (Pocket Books) a pleasure to read is that the author not only creates realistic historical characters, but also does an excellent job portraying the difficulties of being Jewish in 13th century Europe. What makes these characters believable is that they remain true to their time... What makes "The Fruit of Her Hands" stand out, though, is its portrayal of the increased persecution of Jews during the 13th century. "The Fruit of Her Hands" would make a great selection for book clubs and discussion groups. The prose is easy to read and the plot complex and interesting enough to keep the pages turning. This is Cameron’s first novel and I look forward to future works. excerpted from "Book Review: Life in medieval times" I used to think that historical novels were for sissies. But over the last couple of years, I’ve stumbled upon several books that have completely absorbed and fascinated me, and I have become a believer. “The Fruit of Her Hands,
the Story of Shira of Ashkenaz,”
by Michelle Cameron is one such
novel... A well-researched novel,“The Fruit of Her Hands”
brings vividly to life the challenges
women have faced historically.... If you’re
looking for an inspired read, this
is it. excerpted from "For the Books"by Cynthia Gregory, A book as rich as the cover illustration, The Fruit of Her
Hands is based on the life of Cameron’s 13th century
ancestor, Meir Ben Baruch, a renowned Jewish scholar of Jewish Scene Magazine Historical novelist Cameron weaves fact and fiction together in this tale of European medieval Jewry during one of the most challenging periods in Jewish history. . . . it reads well and is entrancing in parts. excerpted from JT News: the Voice of Jewish Washington Finely written, The Fruit of Her Hands imparts an impressive amount of historical information in a pleasing fashion that contains romantic elements, demonstrating the author’s expertise and passion. . . . Readers desiring a realistic look at Jewish life during the Middle Ages will thoroughly enjoy this book. excerpted from Historical Novels Review. This compelling first novel is based on the life of Rabbi Meir Ben Baruch. Rabbi Meir, known best by his acronym, MaHaRaM, was a universally noted Talmud scholar who lived in 13th century Germany and France. While he wrote no one single large work, his commentaries on the Talmud were solicited throughout the Jewish world at that time. He was also a noted religious poet who wrote many piyyut (religious poems) for Jewish worship. Cameron, a descendent of the MaHaRaM, has constructed a novel that blends history and private speculation on the life of Rabbi Baruch in a time of great anti-Semitism in Europe. Rather than revolve around the Rabbi, the story is a fictional account of his wife, Shira, who is portrayed as the daughter of one of Rabbi Baruch’s teachers and a scholar herself. The author places Shira at the center of some of Jewish history’s great calamities, such as the burning of the Talmud on June 17, 1244 in Paris. We know from historical accounts that Rabbi Baruch witnessed the destruction of twenty-four cartloads of Talmudic volumes and through Shira’s eyes and heart we come to understand the pain of this crime against Jews. The novel gives the reader a unique and
personal view of Jewish life in the Middle excerpted from Jewish Book World A beautifully written saga, THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS is a glowing tribute to the Jewish people of Ashkenaz, a region of Europe that encompassed parts of France and Germany. Shira’s bravery and intelligence symbolize the struggle of so many of her compatriots throughout history. Her love of Meir and their family keeps her strong throughout the years of their marriage as they move from one place to another, trying to preserve their way of life. With strong main characters, a myriad of important secondary players, THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS is a gripping, fascinating, and informative narrative of a tragic, yet important historical period. excerpted from Romance Reviews Today The Fruit of Her Hands is equally rich as history and fiction. Most readers probably know that anti-Semitism was prevalent in Medieval Europe, but in Cameron’s skilled hands, the reader experiences with pounding heart how horrifying, brutal, and pervasive it was. . . . a book so rich with wonderful characters, vivid settings, and an absolutely lush and wonderful depiction of the strengths of the medieval Jewish home and community. Cameron is an author I certainly hope to hear more from. This is a first-rate choice for Jewish book clubs.. excerpted from The San Diego Jewish World The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz (Pocket Books), is a meticulously researched and immensely readable saga that brings to life an often overlooked period in Jewish history. excerpted from Jewish Woman Magazine Cameron's debut is a story about the love of learning, the love of family, and the love of religious tradition. Set in Europe during the 13th century, it traces the life of Shira, a young Jewish woman, from her sheltered childhood to her life as the wife of a prominent rabbi. Cameron cleverly imagines that Shira's father, a rabbi, allowed her to sit in on his daily lessons to his students, unknowingly educating her at a time when teaching a woman was strictly forbidden. But with reading and writing comes her ability to reason for herself, which causes Shira social and personal challenges. Cameron's famed 13th-century ancestor Meir ben Baruch was the catalyst that set this novel in motion, and the rich details show; historical facts are included, from the burning of every copy of the Talmud in Paris to the increasing anti-Semitism that threatens every Jewish family's way of life.VERDICT Readers who appreciated Maggie Anton's "Rashi's Daughters" trilogy will be entertained.—Marika Zemke, Commerce Twp. Community Lib., MI Library Journal 4-1/2 stars. TOP PICK! Romantic Times Book Review With a powerful immediacy, Cameron's meticulously researched historical is told by Shira, an anomalous 13th-century woman raised (and educated) like a son by her widowed father. After falling in love with and marrying the legendary Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, one of her father's most promising students, Shira's beauty and education attract the attention of a French scholar, Nicholas Donin, whose demented vendetta against Judaism threatens the lives of Jews across Europe. Shira and Meir must defend their faith and their marriage from Donin, and take a stand against the anti-Semitism choking Europe, but Shira is a passive, if touching, heroine. Shira is easy to identify with, but not very interesting. Still, readers will drink in the historical detail and be quick to forgive Shira's weaknesses for the sake of other rich characters like Donin and Baruch. Publisher's Weekly
|
|
Join Michelle's Mailing List | Links | Contact |