The Inquisitor's Wife: A Novel of Renaissance Spain

by Jeanne Kalogridis

From the author of the critically acclaimed BORGIA BRIDE and THE SCARLET CONTESSA, comes another irresistible historical novel set during the Spanish Inquisition about a young woman who will stop at nothing to save her people from Torquemada’s torturers:
THE INQUISITOR'S WIFE.

In 1480 Seville, Marisol, a fearful young conversa (descendant of Spanish Jews forced to convert to Christianity), is ashamed of her Jewish blood. Forced into a sham marriage with a prosecutor for the new Inquisition, Marisol soon discovers that her childhood sweetheart, Antonio, has just returned to Seville and is also working for the inquisitors. When Marisol’s father is arrested and tortured during Spain’s first auto da fe, Marisol comes to value her Jewish heritage and vows to fight the Inquisition. When she discovers that her beloved Antonio is working to smuggle conversos safely out of Spain, she joins him and risks her life on behalf of her people; a passionate romance follows.

Unfortunately, Marisol does not realize that her supposedly kind and gentle inquisitor-husband has been using her all along to lead Antonio and her fellow conversos to their doom...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Spain, Historical, Fiction, Romance, 15th Century, Historical Romance

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jeanne was born in Florida , and has been interested in books ever since. Her interest in language led her to earn an M.A. in Linguistics. She taught English as a Second Language for eight years at The American University of Washington, D.C., before retiring to write full time.

She now lives in California with an overly adored Labrador retriever. Her outside interests include yoga and reading everything ever published.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jeanne...

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an OK read. The story is somewhat interesting, but not particularly well written. The characters are fairly well portrayed but feel a bit cartoonish. I can’t quite put my finger on what was wrong with the book. It held my interest and is a fast read with some interesting information about the Inquisition, but I found that some of the story defied belief. I felt that the main character, Marisol, was a naive idiot at times. There was a feeling of her always being a damsel in distress cliche, even though she truly was in danger during the book.

I gave it 3 stars because it held my interest, but I would not bother reading anything more by this author.

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be perfectly honest, I was a little disappointed in this one. Set in Seville in 1481, we enter the world of renaissance Spain. A time of religious upheaval and uncertainty. And the inquisition. Our protagonist is Marisol, the daughter of Magdalena and Diego, who are Jewish descendants but now known as conversas practicing - outwardly - the Christian faith. But what religion is in their hearts and will the family die as a result? We have good vs evil played put in the churches, in the courts, in the business and in the community. Who can you trust when the inquisition is on your doorstep? Marisol has to uncover the truth in her heart and not look at the world around her, all manipulating her, using her, exploiting her for their own purposes.

An interesting enough read, but I would skip through sections of the book because the author wasn't holding my attention. This was either in situations that I didn't think needed further elaboration or dialogues that weren't enhancing the story. While we follow the journey of Marisol, I found I didn't really connect with her the way I often do when reading historical fiction. It is so easy for my imagination to get lost in the story but this one didn't take me where I had hoped to be...

[Beata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zanim popłynę z recenzją (a piszę zawsze pod wpływem emocji, nie planując wcześniej, co tam będzie), to zaznaczę dwie rzeczy.
Jestem straszną ignorantką, jeśli chodzi o historię. Nigdy mnie ona nie interesowała, nie miałam też zbytnio szczęścia do nauczycieli, którzy by jakąkolwiek wiedzę we mnie zaszczepili. Dlatego byłam świadoma, że istniało coś takiego jak inkwizycja hiszpańska i że tępiło herezje, ale jakie te herezje i dlaczego - pojęcia nie miałam.
Po drugie - jeśli jesteś osobą wierzącą, proszę o wybaczenie, bo może mi się wymsknąć zdanie lub dwa na tematy religijne. Jednak w dyskusje na ten temat wdawała się nie będę, moja opinia jest subiektywna, właśnie Cię za nią przeprosiłam, jeśli Cię ona urazi.
Jestem wzrokowcem i często wybieram książki po samej okładce lub tytule, zupełnie nie czytając opisu ani nie sprawdzając, o czym opowiada historia. I tak było w tym przypadku - zobaczyłam słowo 'inkwizytor', od razu pomyślałam o Mordimerze Madderdinie, do tego spojrzałam na zdjęcie i myślę sobie - 'hej, będą intrygi, będzie się działo, będzie fajnie'. Książkę kupiłam. I odłożyłam na półkę 'na zaś', więc swoje przeleżała, zanim po nią sięgnęłam.
I dałam się tej książce zaskoczyć. Choć tu może też wchodzić ten mój brak wiedzy na tematy historyczne. Ale nie tylko. Bo sam tytuł wydaje mi się dość mylący i mało odnoszący się do rzeczywistej treści książki.
Ale nie powiem, by to było złe zaskoczenie z gatunku rozczarowań. Nie. Ta książka to po prostu nie było nic, co sobie wyobrażałam.
Jest to historia prześladowania Żydów przez dzielnych chrześcijańskich inkwizytorów, w środek którego zostaje wciągnięta Marisol - choć jej ojciec jest starym chrześcijaninem, jej matka ma żydowskie korzenie.
Jedno udało mi się zgadnąć - będzie intryga. I zastanawiam się, jakby to opisać, aby nie zdradzić za wiele z treści, ale chyba nie możecie mnie winić za napisanie tego, co sami możecie wyczytać z tylnej okładki książki. Ojciec Marisol zostaje oskarżony o bycie kryptożydem, więc aby chronić córkę oddaje ją za żonę inkwizytorowi (rzekomemu, moim skromnym zdaniem, jakoś nie mogłam się tego inkwizytorstwa tak na pewno doczytać, ale to może moja wina). W międzyczasie pojawia się dawny ukochany Marisol, królowa Izabela, tajemniczy staruszek i wstrętny szwagier.
Nie mogę powiedzieć, by była to fascynująca opowieść, od której nie można się oderwać. Momentami zdarzało mi się nawet omijać pewne opisy, bo te były nudnawe. Ale to wciąż jest ciekawa historia, która utrzymała mnie przy sobie na tyle, aby książkę udało mi się skończyć w ciągu weekendu. Naprawdę chciałam wiedzieć, jak się rozwiążą poszczególne wątki i do czego prowadzą kolejne.
I przez całą książkę miałam w głowie jedną myśl - wow, czy znając historię chrześcijaństwa, naprawdę są jeszcze na świecie ludzie, którzy wierzą, że nie jest to brutalna religia nienawiści? Nie mam tu nic do samej wiary w Boga, jak to zresztą ładnie w książce było napisane 'Jest tylko jeden Bóg, ale można do niego dotrzeć na tysiące sposobów. Miłość to najważniejszy z nich.'
Niestety o tej miłości w religiach często się zapomina, przez co zmieniają się w one religie nienawiści, prześladowań i dyskryminacji. A chrześcijaństwo zebrało tego bardzo krwawe żniwa na przestrzeni wieków, próbując zawłaszczyć sobie monopol na Boga, jednak wbrew swym zapewnieniom o miłości do bliźnich, dopuszczając do tej boskości całkiem wybiórcze grono.
I tu pozwolę sobie zacytować coś spoza kontekstu książki, jednak podsumowujące moje nastawienie i ucinające wszelkie dysputy religijne - 'If love and grace isn't for all I'd rather be a sinner and take the fall' (cała piosenka bardzo trafnie oddaje moje odczucia na ten temat, chętnych do przesłuchania zapraszam tutaj - https://youtu.be/oCACEXAwSso i przy okazji bardzo polecam, bo jest piękna).
Wracając jednak do samej książki - XV-wieczna Hiszpania, miłość, poświęcenie, strach i odwaga. Smród płonących ciał na stosach. I sprośne przyśpiewki.
Naprawdę jeszcze się zastanawiacie, czy sięgnąć po tę książkę?
Warto. Aby poznać to minimum wiedzy o tamtych czasach, jakie można wyciągnąć z fikcji literackiej o tle historycznym.
I aby poznać historię Marisol, bo jeśli nawet ona nie jest postacią historyczną, to taka historia mogła się wydarzyć. I warto o tym wiedzieć.
A jednocześnie spędzicie nie najgorszy czas nad lekturą.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Przyzwoite czytadło, choć w dużej mierze prześlizgujące się zarówno po faktach historycznych i wydarzeniach z okresu początków inkwizycji w Hiszpanii, jak i dylematach moralnych bohaterki. Niemniej jest to sprawnie napisana i przetłumaczona książka. Nie porwała mnie jednak.

[Pupottina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Durme sin ansia y dolor
Lo stile della Kalogridis è avvincente e riesce a romanzare anche gli aspetti più nascosti della storia. Non ha caso il suo primo lavoro è quello della studiosa specializzata in storia medievale, da cui trae ispirazione per raccontare e romanzare i dettagli delle vite più interessanti, delle figure storiche che sono circondate da maggiore fascino e mistero.
Questa volta la sua attenzione è ricaduta su una figura femminile, Marisol García, non realmente esistita, ma verosimile. A circondarla, però, ci sono personaggi storici reali, come frate Gabriel Hojeda, la regina cattolica Isabella di Castiglia e il terribile Tomás de Torquemada. È proprio per sfuggire alla caccia di quest’ultimo che Mariasol viene costretta a sposarsi con Gabriel Hojeda. Il loro non è un matrimonio d’amore, ma uno combinato. Il padre vuole salvarla dalla terribile tortura dell’Inquisizione, dove non avrebbe scampo. Ma Mariasol ne soffre. Non accetta la vita che è costretta a vivere. Non accetta di dover sopravvivere in quel modo. Vuole capire perché sua madre, Magdalena, ha preferito morire.
Il suo matrimonio è l’estremo tentativo del padre di Marisol di scacciare ogni sospetto dalla famiglia. Da qualche anno l’Inquisizione sta terrorizzando la Spagna e un nome corre sulle bocche di tutti e non lascia scampo. È quello del famigerato Torquemada. L’obiettivo di Torquemada è eliminare i cristiani di origine ebraica, i cosiddetti conversos. Tra questi c’era anche Magdalena, la madre di Marisol, che pochi giorni prima delle nozze di Marisol si è tolta la vita, sperando di salvare il marito e la figlia. Ma forse non è bastato, poiché il pericolo incombe su di loro, anche quando credono di essere al sicuro.
JEANNE KALOGRIDIS è riuscita a ricreare l’atmosfera lugubre della Siviglia del 1481, minacciata dall’Inquisizione spagnola. Mentre le tenebre della persecuzione religiosa si infittiscono intorno a Marisol, lei scopre il grande segreto d’amore di sua madre Magdalena. Marisol è sola, ma è determinata. Non sa di chi potersi fidare, però, coraggiosamente, decide di superare pregiudizi e tradimenti per combattere per tutto ciò che conta realmente. È un romanzo storico avvincente, interessante e che intreccia ai sentimenti individuali tematiche nazionali e religiose.
Un nuovo successo per la Kalogridis che si conferma tra le migliori narratrici di romanzi storici.

“Il prigioniero confessa spontaneamente i suoi crimini e chiede il perdono e la pietà di questo tribunale, della Chiesa e di Dio onnipotente. Giurate davanti a Dio e a questa assemblea di non commettere mai più questi crimini, ma di mantenervi saldo nella fede cristiana per il resto della vita?”

http://youtu.be/_x6KuPJAuG8

[Francesca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, this could have been a really good book with an interesting plot. But it wasn't. I didn't really connect to any of the characters and just wanted to finish the book so I could move on to another one.

[Danielle Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only recently started reading books by this author, and I continue to be impressed. She is able to vividly portray various different periods in history. This story takes the reader into the Spanish Inquisition, a part of history I knew little to nothing about. Marisol is the daughter of a Christian father and a Jew converted to Christianity mother. However, the mother still holds onto her previous religion in private in order to avoid persecution. Marisol is raised in a loving family environment that gets torn apart by the Inquisitors forcing confessions. The story of her family and their sacrifices was riveting, and made me feel like I was there. I think some of the torture scenes were a bit much, but I understand that was unfortunately the reality. I find that Ms. Kalogridis' books give me an extra interest in learning more.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Inquisitor's Wife" - written by Jeanne Kalogridis and published in 2013 by St Martin's Press. This glimpse of life in southern Spain in the late 1400s was a reminder of the many religious frenzies that have consumed our world. This time the perpetually persecuted Jews are called out, made to renounce their religion or face torture and death, all sanctioned by Queen Isabella of Spain and Pope Sixtus of Rome. It was the Inquisition. "You're the daughter of a conversa, Marisol, and the Inquisition has come here to destroy me and you and your father." Marisol is in danger due to her looks, "marked by her hair, features and dark eyes," and Kalogridis tells a detail-rich, exciting but frightening story of her clashes with her accusers. She has written other novels highlighting women in historical times and I'm sure I would enjoy and learn from them also.

[Robin Rashcovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a better understanding of the Spanish Inquisition

[Colleen Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this book for www.luxuryreading.com.

As the new year of 1481 emerges, Marisol Garcia’s life begins to rapidly change. The Inquisition is coming to Seville and, in an effort to protect her family, Marisol’s mother – a Christian conversa – commits suicide to avoid any further suspicion or danger to Marisol or her father. Marisol has long been ashamed of the Jewish blood she inherited from her mother, further complicated by the hideous treatment she has seen some Old Christian’s inflict on New Christians of Jewish descent. Only one boy from a well-connected Old Christian family, Antonio Vargas, has shown her the love and respect she longs for. But when Antonio goes off to school and stops writing to Marisol she begins to believe he has abandoned her and, after her mother’s death and at her father’s insistence, she marries Gabriel Hojeda, a civil lawyer working for the Inquisition that might be able to keep Marisol safe. This is no happy marriage, however, and her vows are only the beginning of what will become an unraveling nightmare for Marisol and everyone she loves.

After finishing The Inquisitor’s Wife I’m torn as to whether I really enjoyed it or not. On the positive side, it was fascinating learning more about the hideous treatment inflicted on the conversos in Seville during the Inquisition and seeing the true motivations behind it. I’m always shocked to see how horrible people will act against those that don’t believe what they do and how greed, power and politics can turn people into true monsters. The author holds nothing back in showing the fierce manipulation and torture inflicted and this really helps the reader immerse themselves in this bleak world. The romance between Marisol and Antonio was also a little bit of sweetness in this otherwise incredibly dark story and helped keep me from feeling utterly depressed by all the horror surrounding their lives.

However, I found the story to be slow and plodding at times. For example, between the snippets of the unhappy wedding ceremony and Marisol’s memory flashes, it takes 60 pages for the wedding to end and the plot to move on. It ended up being a fast read but these slow moments did make me long for the more action packed portions that seemed to happen in the latter half of the book. The ending also left much to be desired as it seemed to cut off too quickly and with only a vague sense of resolution. I was left feeling like I wished the author put less effort into the slow moving beginning and relegated some of that energy to wrapping up the story.

While I can’t say The Inquisitor’s Wife is one of my favorites, it did keep me turning the pages to see how the story would unfold and I look forward to reading something else by Jeanne Kalogridis to get a better feel for her writing style. For any reader already a fan of the author or someone particularly interested in historical fiction based during the Spanish Inquisition this would probably be a worthwhile read. For others I might suggest starting with one of her other novels which readers seem to have really enjoyed, such as The Borgia Bride.

[Carole P. Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jeanne Kalogridis. She captures life from different time periods with an eye for detail and the human experience. While these characters were interesting, I found them slightly too modern and unbelievable. I felt they didn't capture the fear of the time, the relationships didn't fit what was expected from an obedient daughter in 15th century Spain. Marisol seemed too modern in her sensibilities, her father and mother too modern as well. I loved the way she represented Isabella, her duplicity, her formal, pious face and carefree private persona was well written. Jews were thrown out of Spain, losing homes, business, and their Spanish identity. Kalogridis captures some of the torture, and sense of persecution, but it feels isolated, as though it only affected a mere few. This was a major upheaval throughout all of Spain. The Inquisitors attacked anyone who could give any information. In her other books, you can feel the isolation and despair of the main characters, here not so much. I also feel the ending was unrealistic and trite, a bit predictable. Not my favorite of her books, but well written none the less.

Merged review:

I love Jeanne Kalogridis. She captures life from different time periods with an eye for detail and the human experience. While these characters were interesting, I found them slightly too modern and unbelievable. I felt they didn't capture the fear of the time, the relationships didn't fit what was expected from an obedient daughter in 15th century Spain. Marisol seemed too modern in her sensibilities, her father and mother too modern as well. I loved the way she represented Isabella, her duplicity, her formal, pious face and carefree private persona was well written. Jews were thrown out of Spain, losing homes, business, and their Spanish identity. Kalogridis captures some of the torture, and sense of persecution, but it feels isolated, as though it only affected a mere few. This was a major upheaval throughout all of Spain. The Inquisitors attacked anyone who could give any information. In her other books, you can feel the isolation and despair of the main characters, here not so much. I also feel the ending was unrealistic and trite, a bit predictable. Not my favorite of her books, but well written none the less.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inquisitor's Wife

By Jeanne Kalogridis

The Inquisition makes its first appearance in Seville Spain in 1482, Its targets are conversos, Christians of Jewish descent—specifically those who practice Judaism secretly in their homes. The penalty for witch is burning at the stake.

Marisol Garcia, a young conversa, shes forced to marry Gabriel a lawyer working for the Inquisition,in an arranged marriage,in the hope that he will be able to protect her, from suspicion and harm.

Marisol was left heartbroken and abandoned four years earlier by her childhood love Antonio, who shockingly reappears at her wedding celebrations..

When Marisol's father is arrested and tortured, Marisol finds herself caught between her love for him and her desire to save the lives of her people.

After becoming a favorite of the ruthless Queen Isabella, Marisol discovers a dangerous secret about Antonio, and finds herself trapped in a dangerous web of intrigue.

As the danger of the Inquisition closes in around her, Marisol’s love for Antonio and loyalty to her Jewish family are put to the test in a dangerous games that will put her very life at stake...

The Inquisitor’s Wife provides the reader with a terrifying glimpse into the terror that was the inquisition, and the injustice of a maligned and misunderstood people.

4 Stars

[Elli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Inquisitor's Wife" by Jeanne Kalogridis. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The beginning of the Inquisition and all the disorganization, personal ambitions, and the queen's need for money to finance her wars were treated as part of the story, much with the heroine listening in hiding, although that was not the purpose in her being there. The characters were 3 dimensional, the history and legend of the land of Sephard was the prologue. Interestingly enough those who had converted emphasized the love involved for all people whereas what they called "Old Christians" who felt strongly about different faiths and races were non-stop in their hatred and wanted unstoppable violence to punish. It's amazing what mobs can bring out! To tell much of the story would be a real spoiler for reading, and this I will not do. But for one who is interested in this period and the people in it and the customs under which they were raised, It's a really good read!

[Ewelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

„Marisol nie możesz się łudzić, że nic nam się nie przytrafi tylko dlatego, że nigdy wcześniej nie spotkało cię nic złego. Musisz wiedzieć, że na tym świecie mogą się zdarzyć i na pewno się zdarzą najbardziej nawet niewyobrażalne rzeczy. Przytrafią się one całkiem niewinnym, dobrym ludziom. Stanie się to w ułamku sekundy bez względu na to, jak byłaś dobra, uprzejma, jak gorliwie prosiłaś Boga, by chronił ciebie i twoich bliskich…”

Powieść osadzona pod koniec XV wieku w Hiszpanii, za czasów panowania Izabeli Kastylijskiej i Ferdynanda Aragońskiego, poruszająca temat rozszerzenia przez władców na swoich terenach wpływów inkwizycji, w związku z podejrzeniem zgubnego wpływu herezji na społeczeństwo.

Dalsza recenzja na:

http://czytamjestempodrugiejstronielustra.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/jeanne-kalogridis-zona-inkwizytora/#more-565

lub

http://czytam-jestempodrugiejstronielustra.blogspot.com/2014/07/jeanne-kalogridis-zona-inkwizytora.html#more

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review: http://bit.ly/19gJAKL

My opinion: I loved this book. This is my first book by this author and it certainly won't be the last.

The character development in this book was superb with characters drawn so vividly that I felt like I could reach out and touch them. What I love about the characters the most is that when you think you have them pinned down, Ms. Kalogridis throws in twists to change their characters. It left me on the seat of my chair.

I would say that this applies to plot twists as well. I thought the book would be going one way and the author would change it. It would be done slowly and methodically though so it really came off well.

I am not well versed in the Spanish Inquisition and few Historical Fiction novels are set during this period of time. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about incidents during it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Seville, Spain of 1481, we experience this story of the Spanish Inquisition through the eyes of Marisol Garcia. As a child and adolescent, she had secretly watched her mother light the Shabbat candles and pray some central Jewish prayers. As she gets older and the Inquisition becomes more sinister and menacing, Marisol rejects her mother's secret and distances herself from her. Will she become a victim of the regime despite that? Will she learn to prize her heritage as everything falls apart for the Converso community? What must parents do to protect their children? These are all central questions that are raised by the author Jeanne Kalogridis. By personalizing the story through Marisol Garcia the reader learns about the Spanish Inquisition and identifies with it. This book is certainly worth reading.

[Briansmom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this book a 2.5.

It had it's moments; I love the idea of a book set in gorgeous Spain during the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand. However, the book was fairly dry and I didn't think there was enough character development or action.

[Ken Root · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the amount of details unfortunately there was a lack of excitement and action.

[La Lettrice Raffinata]

CHI VA PIANO, ANNOIA IL LETTORE

La storia dell’umanità è destinata a ripetersi in un interminabile ciclo. In questo continuo ritorno di eventi e figure, alcuni temi sembrano ripresentasi più spesso di altri: tra questi c’è senz’altro l’intolleranza tra le diverse religioni che, portata agli estremi dalla collimazione di più fattori, sfocia quasi inevitabilmente nella peggiore violenza. E ne abbiamo prove dall’antichità fino ai giorni nostri.
Questo romanzo non ha però come sfondo l’insensato olocausto durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e neppure l’infinita battaglia che persiste da anni negli Stati del Medioriente. L’ambientazione scelta dalla Kalogridis è invece la Siviglia negli ultimi anni del Medioevo: una città da sempre multietnica, e proprio per questo spesso scossa da tumulti interni derivati proprio dalla coesistenza di cristiani, ebrei e mussulmani, senza contare i moltissimi conversos costretti a mantenere segreta la loro vera fede.
In questo precario scenario si muove la giovane Marisol, figlia di un cristiano e di una conversa, e per questo sempre incerta nella propria fede, in special modo quando è abbastanza grande da capire che il suo aspetto la segnerà per sempre come diversa rispetto ai suoi vicini, cristiani vecchi.
Per molti anni Marisol e la sua famiglia riescono a vivere in modo relativamente sereno, ma il ritorno della feroce Inquisizione accenderà i sospetti prima sulla madre e poi su di lei e il padre, tanto che quest’ultimo arriverà a stringere un misterioso accordo con il vicino Gabriel Hojeda, che porterà al matrimonio di questi con una riluttante Marisol.
Lavorando con il fratello proprio alle dipendenze della Santa Inquisizione, Gabriel dovrebbe poter tenere al sicuro da ogni sospetto la giovane, sebbene il cuore di lei sia ancora legato ad una vecchia proposta di matrimonio fatta da Antonio Vargas. In questa storia c’è però ben poco spazio per l’amore, perché l’autrice preferisce dar voce ai misteri intorno alla vita, e all’improvvisa scomparsa, della madre di Marisol.
Ad appesantire una trama altrimenti abbastanza lineare contribuiscono i molti comprimari, che anziché far procedere la storyline principale giungono a crearne di nuove, con i loro obiettivi o i loro desideri, creando così dell’inutile confusione dal momento che spesso si arriva ad una loro rapida uscita di scena.
Tra questi personaggi secondari è d’obbligo segnalare la presenza di diverse figure storiche, tra le quali spiccano la Regina Isabella e l’inquisitore Torquemada, che mettono così in campo un nuovo elemento nella persecuzione attuata dalla Chiesa: il desiderio di impossessarsi delle ricchezze nascoste degli ebrei e dei conversos, prima che questi riescano a portarle all’estero.
Lo stile della Kalogridis è piacevole e scorrevole, seppur la tendenza ad utilizzare molti flashback faccia procedere la trama con un’eccessiva lentezza nella prima parte del volume. A rallentare la trama sono inoltre le lunghe descrizioni degli ambienti. Anche se l’autrice possiede un innegabile talento per delineare delle descrizioni dettagliate, queste dovrebbero comunque essere funzionali alla storia, anche solo per fornire al lettore degli indizi sul proseguo degli eventi; in questo caso ci troviamo invece di fronte ad interminabili descrizioni che fanno quasi pensare ad una guida turistica alle bellezze di Siviglia.
D’altro canto, l’ambientazione storica è resa più realistica da alcuni piccoli dettagli legati alla vita quotidiana, come le pietanze consumate ai pasti o i diversi arredi degli interni; in questo caso si nota chiaramente l’eccellente preparazione storica dell’autrice.
Già dal prologo, la Kalogridis sceglie di mettere in chiaro il suo obiettivo: grazie ad un’accurata seppur rapida scorta sul passato della città spagnola, il lettore capisce subito che la storia di Marisol è stata scelta tra tante altre, ricche di sofferenze patite in nome della vera fede, del vero Dio. Scordando che nessun vero Dio comanderebbe lo sterminio di persone innocenti.

[Jeffrey Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me angry. Not so much about the story and the plot, but more so about how a class of people were treated during the Spanish Inquisition. But of course this is set in the 1480's so religious tolerance was not a phrase uttered in the vocabulary of the people of that time.

Told in the first person, it's a story about a "converso (convert from Judaism to Christianity)" named Marisol. Her mother secretly practiced Judaism while outwardly appeared to be a Christian. Her father was a well regarded citizen of Seville who tolerated his wife's actions and helped to hide it. They basically kept it from Marisol for her own safety as we learn later in the book. But something like this can only remain hidden for so long.

Marisol's character drove me crazy at times. Sometimes she loved her mother and father and sometimes she loathed them. It took her a long time to understand what the Judaism meant for her mother, which I suppose was one of Marisol's character goals in this story. She is forced into a marriage with her racist neighbor Gabriel who along with his equally racist and more powerful brother supports the Spanish Inquisition's expulsion of the Jews. Meantime, Marisol secretly loves Antonio, another childhood friend.

I have to say that by today's standards Marisol really needs therapy. Anger management issues. Abandonment issues. Self-esteem issues. Unrequited love issues. It is why her character drove me so crazy, particularly just before the finish.

The story and history is well-researched and at the end of the book there is an interview with the author who discusses her research. Some of the characters in this book were real and the Jewish expulsion did happen in 1481-1482 ten years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue to spread his racist ideals around. The book is based on true events .

The first part of the book was a challenge to read because of Marisol's wishy-washiness but the second half became more interesting after her father was arrested by the Inquisitors. That is also when therapy would have done Marisol a world of good. Oh, and what a creep Marisol's husband was. Of course she realized that as much as I, the reader, did.

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1481 and the location is Seville, Spain. Marisol lives with her parents. Her father is what is called an Old Christian; his family having converted from Judaism decades ago and lived as Christians since. Her mother is known as a converso, a Jewish person who has recently converted and is suspected of not truly having adopted the Christian faith.

The family has been safe but times are changing. Queen Isabella married a converso herself, King Ferdinand and had the two had protected the Jews of Spain. But now the Inquisition has come to Seville and it appears that Queen Isabella needs gold more than she needs to protect the Jews in her lands. All Jewish families are given three days to vacate Seville. This is a harsh punishment but perhaps easier than those left behind to face the torturers of the Inquisition.

Marisol's mother walks into the river and drowns herself to protect her family. Her father a week later, marries Marisol off to Gabriel, a neighbor who works for the Inquisition and whose brother is a highly placed official there. He disowns Marisol, all a ruse to try to save her as he knows he is a likely target. Marisol has no love for Gabriel and is soon reunited with her childhood love, Antonio. Can the two of them escape from the horror that has overtaken Seville?

Jeanne Kalogridis has made a name for herself in the historical fiction genre. This book details the quick escalation of the Inquisition and how it was based as much on greed as any religious doctrine. The research the author did is extensive and sensitive readers may want to skim over the passages detailing the tortures prisoners were dealt. The reader will learn much about religious persecution and one of the worst periods in Spanish history. This book is recommended for readers of historical fiction.

[Rena McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inquisitor's Wife was a fascinating and complex novel. The main character Marisol is the daughter of Magdalena, a Jewish woman who became a Christian or converso and married Diego a "old Christian". Marisol is torn between two faiths in Spain a country who is very hostile to all Jews and Arabs. It takes place in the latter part of the middle part of the 1400's right at the beginning of the Inquisition or Holy Order to expel all non-Catholics from Spain and even the conversos are under great suspicion from all quarters from the royal palaces to their next door neighbors spying and reporting on them. In the middle of this she falls in love with Antonio a true Christian who unfortunately goes to study in Salamanca University for 4 years and she loses contact with him and in the meantime is married to Gabriel Hojeda a lawyer and member of the inquisition. In return for his protection her father has given him all his fortune for her protection. In the end it turns out to be of no usse as the Inquisition speeds up with the blessing of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, himself a converso. Believe it or not there is a happy ending to this basically sad story. Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the pleasure of reading this wonderful and emotive story.

[Natascia Tieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

La sposa dell'inquisitore è un romanzo storico scritto da Jeanne Kalogridis. Il libro è ambientato in Spagna nel XV secolo, durante l'Inquisizione spagnola.
La storia racconta la vita di Marisol García, una giovane donna di origine ebraica da parte di madre che viene costretta a sposare Gabriel Hojeda, un inquisitore spietato. Marisol è innamorata di Antonio, un giovane cristiano, e la sua vita cambia radicalmente quando viene costretta a sposarsi con un altro uomo dopo la morte della madre.
Il romanzo è un'immersione nella Spagna del XV secolo, un periodo storico complesso e violento. Kalogridis descrive in modo vivido e dettagliato l'atmosfera di paura e sospetto che regnava durante l'Inquisizione.
I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e realistici. Marisol è una protagonista forte e determinata, che lotta per la sua libertà e per il suo amore. Gabriel è un personaggio complesso e ambiguo, che incarna l'ipocrisia e la crudeltà dell'Inquisizione.
La trama è avvincente e coinvolgente, e il romanzo è ricco di colpi di scena. Il finale è commovente e soddisfacente.
In conclusione, La sposa dell'inquisitore è un romanzo storico di grande valore. È un libro che appassiona e commuove, e che offre una visione realistica di un periodo storico importante.

[GREG J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

judging by the cover (yeah i know) i was afraid i was getting into one of those historical bodice rippers. turns out (happily) that i was wrong. (well mostly as there may have been an element or two of the romantic novel, but not as a main thrust)
very good piece of historical fiction with an up close and personal view of the spanish inquisition and the divisiveness of not so good queen isabela and the always dubious wonders of political religionism.
mix in some outstanding fiction (the truly riveting kind) and you got yourself a very satisfying story.
and this old timer lives for a good story.
some graphic violence, but it only helps to validate the thrust of the tale.
nice job ms. kalogridis, you have won a new fan.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is set in Seville, Spain, in the late 1400s. Marisol lives with her parents, and her mother is a conversa (a Jew who has renounced her religion and become Catholic). Unlike the Jews, who are protected, the conversa are at risk from the Inquisition. Her mother walks into the river, leaving a note in hopes of protecting her family and Marisol is shocked when her father marries her off, later finding that the marriage was also done to protect her. She finds herself caught between the Inquisition and the Jews and must figure out where her loyalties lie and who she can trust.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had been popping up left and right through a variety of ways and I finally broke down and gave it a read. The frightening saga of the Spanish Inquisition is a vague memory to me. I'm sure at some point it was covered in school, or I may have read snatches of it here and there.

It was not a time to be anything. Both Christians and Jews were being persecuted in the name of religion and power. All to raise money for the Queen of Spain to have full control of her country. It didn't help that the Black Plague was making its way across Europe once again.

[Lynne M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. The cover alone was interesting, and I enjoy reading historical fiction. As soon as I started the book, I knew I was going to be let down. The subject matter is interesting, as was the premise. I just could not get into the book or be interested in what became of any of the characters.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a harrowing read. I had heard of the Spanish Inquisition but had no idea the full horror of what had been done in the name of religion, but in actuality for greed. This is the first book I’ve ever read the ending, before the entire book because I wasn’t sure if I could keep reading such horrific details based in historical fact.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Jewish librarian, especially one who's read a great deal of historical fiction about this topic, I applaud the author for her thoroughness. I was caught up in the story from beginning to end. The ending was a wonderful (almost predictable) ending, but I flipped back and forth between chapters to re-read to make sure I was seeing all of the nuances of the book. I read the horrors of the Inquisition, knowing that what I read was true. I read how so many conversos did their best to hide their true selves, and knew it was true. I appreciated the love stories, the conflicted relationships, and the true friendships borne out of this truly abhorrent time. The relationship between Muslims, Jews, and Christians rang absolutely true. I could see all of this as a story that could have indeed happened. And that those who hated the "others" in their midst, is as relevant today as it was then. If we do not learn from the past, we will definitely repeat it.

[Taylor Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off well with the setting and establishment of the characters but quickly became about serving the plot and not allowing us time to really learn about the characters. The blurb says she became a favourite of Queen Isabella - odd since I think she only has a handful of interactions with her and has no effect on the Queen determined to bring the inquisition to Seville.