ISABELA'S WAY

Early in the 17th century, a group of conversos in Portugal attempts a dangerous escape to northern Europe, pursued by a murderous priest.

This historical novel examines the Inquisition, still smoldering and flaring up frequently in Portugal. Many Jews have converted to Christianity (they are conversos, aka “New Christians”), but are they really sincere converts, genuine Roman Catholics? One who obsesses about this is a priest in Abrantes, Padre Alvaro. The inquisitors are coming, so the New Christians are quietly slipping out of their ghetto and heading to the Protestant north and a more tolerant society. Among these are Isabela de Castro Nuñez, a teenager whose mother has died of the plague and whose father anxiously awaits her in Hamburg, Germany; and David de Sousa and his two sisters. They are aided by other conversos and sympathetic Christians who operate a kind of underground railroad up through France to the Low Countries. Some real heroes are Ana Martel Gerondi and her lover, Eduardo Carel. Then there is the Leon family, Simone and her brother, Enrique, and his son, Diego, who all risk their lives shepherding these hapless escapees. Ana, a healer, is in double jeopardy because a woman who deals in potions may well be a witch, and witches are fair game. After several close calls and kidnappings, the courageous allies try to turn the tables on Alvaro. Stark-Nemon, a published writer, handles things expertly, offering strong characters. The book is also well researched. One historically accurate theme is embroidery, Isabela’s specialty (“The embroidery on the finished glove was complex and skillfully stitched….Anchoring the outer corner of the gauntlet, a blossom of pomegranate was stitched in rich red, its contours outlined in gold thread studded with pearls”). Not only is Isabela very accomplished with the needle, but in the Jewish underground, embroidery motifs (hearts, certain flowers, birds) and colors constituted a secret code, announcing safety or danger, friend or foe. That is Isabela’s job during the trek, no small contribution. This novel revisitsan old story, but like most familiar tales, it bears repeating. Intolerance will always be with humanity, but so will heroes willing to fight that scourge, even to risk their lives.

A well-told story with all of the requisite narrow escapes and memorable characters.