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The Silversmith's Secret
In April 1949, gifted silversmith Moishe Azani presses a note into the hand of an American pilot who has just delivered hundreds of Yemeni Jews like himself to the Promised Land of Israel. For over sixty years, the note sits untranslated and unread, until it comes into the possession of Hank Amato, the pilot's grandson. Unemployed and aimless, Hank seizes the opportunity to retrieve Moishe's abandoned jewelry, a decision that leads him-in the company of a charming female journalist-to a corner of the globe where poverty, corruption, and virulent terrorism have taken root. As Hank finds himself caught up in a dangerous terrorist scheme, he may also find the makings for a fresh start.
260 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 6, 2025
ARC Review
The Silversmith’s Secret, by Stephen A. Seche, is a captivating and artfully written literary fiction novel that links the lives of Hank and Moishe. Hank is an American journalist and self proclaimed optimist with the ‘larceny gene’. Moishe is a Jewish Yemeni silversmith escaping persecution, forced to leave his life’s work behind.
After being let go by his employer, Hank is given a letter from Moishe, written more than 50 years prior, and is awarded a chance to remake his life. What begins a journey to find the proverbial buried treasure seamlessly morphes into something much more meaningful.
The complicated interweaving of lives and stories sets this book apart. The characters are well introduced and developed. History is brought to life within the pages. Seche educates readers on Yemeni culture, the plight of the Yemeni Jews, their exodus following WWII, and the current War on Terror almost a decade after 9/11.
I recommend this book to all readers. Throughout this work you see trials, hardships, and mistakes turn into growth. Beauty, joy, and human decency shine through despite devastation. The novel is well researched and Seche’s experiences living in Yemen help create a realistic tale. This is the type of book that makes you rue that you reached the end.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot/Structure: 4.5/5
Style: 4.5/5
Engagement and Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Rereadability: 4/5
Recommendation: 4.75/5
The Silversmith’s Secret, by Stephen A. Seche, is a captivating and artfully written literary fiction novel that links the lives of Hank and Moishe. Hank is an American journalist and self proclaimed optimist with the ‘larceny gene’. Moishe is a Jewish Yemeni silversmith escaping persecution, forced to leave his life’s work behind.
After being let go by his employer, Hank is given a letter from Moishe, written more than 50 years prior, and is awarded a chance to remake his life. What begins a journey to find the proverbial buried treasure seamlessly morphes into something much more meaningful.
The complicated interweaving of lives and stories sets this book apart. The characters are well introduced and developed. History is brought to life within the pages. Seche educates readers on Yemeni culture, the plight of the Yemeni Jews, their exodus following WWII, and the current War on Terror almost a decade after 9/11.
I recommend this book to all readers. Throughout this work you see trials, hardships, and mistakes turn into growth. Beauty, joy, and human decency shine through despite devastation. The novel is well researched and Seche’s experiences living in Yemen help create a realistic tale. This is the type of book that makes you rue that you reached the end.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot/Structure: 4.5/5
Style: 4.5/5
Engagement and Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Rereadability: 4/5
Recommendation: 4.75/5
Displaying 1 of 1 review