THE BOOK FAIR

The beautifully written novel details the lives of the Ermosa’s, a Sephardic family originally from Spain who resided in Jerusalem decades before and decades after Israel’s 1948 War of Independence.  The story flows back and forth in time and offers an abundance of history.  The plot relates the relationships within the family of four generations, between the parents and children and between the husbands and wives.  Levi broadens the story to incorporate historic events as the animated, lively characters relate their hopes, dreams and disappointments.  Levi flavors the dialogue with Ladino that liven the figures in colorfully distinct scenes.  The author, adept at revealing different views of the characters, creates a vivid and sensitive depth to each as he or she descriptively espouses his or her own heartbreaks and joys.  Throughout the novel Levi offers crucial bits of information, then travels back in time to expand the story.  The author mentions historic personages throughout the novel.

For those with knowledge of, or interest in, Israel or Jewish history, the more enjoyable the novel.