The Migdal Press, 2004
Richard Zimler has written several books that intertwine fiction with real history so that times
past dance off the page. His latest novel deals with subjects that initially appear unrelated. The
first part is the story of John Zarco Stewart. We meet him in 1798, aged seven, and follow him for
30 years of his eventful but tragic life. John – born to a Scottish father and a Marrano mother
– grows up in Porto, Portugal. Marrana (Portuguese for 'pig') describes the secret Jews who stayed
in the country after the Inquisition's mass expulsions.
In between tragic deaths and happier episodes of childhood, John discovers he is being stalked by
LourenŤo Reis, an evil priest aiming to revive the Inquisition. Reis is partly successful because,
due to impending war with Napoleon, church authorities turn a blind eye to his malevolent ranting
against seemingly good Christians who have a Jewish background.
After discovering he is a Jew, John's initial rejection slowly turns to acceptance and then to
love of his religion. Popular Portuguese myths about Jews are widespread. In the first instance,
John sees that fact that he doesn't have horns or a tail as proof that he can't be Jewish. However,
Benjamin, Porto's secret rabbi, teaches John Torah and instills in him an appreciation of his
heritage.
At first, Zimler's writing style is a little disconcerting. In particular, his dialogue doesn't
ring true. However, it's a good story that teaches us much about the early 1800s, particularly the
lifestyle of the Marranos in Portugal.
The theme of slavery and the sad plight of native Africans are explored through John's strong
friendship with Midnight, a Bushman from southern Africa. Through Midnight, Zimler interlaces a
third thread with Christian and Jewish themes, that is, the Bushman's native religion and worship of
animals, in particular Mantis, the guardian of humans, and Hyena, the bringer of evil.
The book's second section, set in the American South, gives frighteningly realistic insights into
the lives of slaves. Zimler uses the device of entwining the stories of two narrators – John, whom
we already know, and Morri, a slave–girl. If I tell you how these two narrators are associated, it
will give away the plot, but here goes: John and Morri are both É shppppllll É Hey! Who turned off
my computer?
Review by Albert Isaacs
