THE BOOK FAIR

Tobsha Learner

The Witch of Cologne

Review:

Tobsha Learner’s novel, “The Witch of Cologne”, takes place in Cologne, during the mid 1660’s, a time when the Church, the wealthy aristocracy and the belief in superstition, ruled the lives of men.  Ruth bas Elazar Saul, a Jewish midwife, practicing her trade in Cologne, in 1665, is accused of witchcraft by the Inquisitor, Carlos Vicente Solitario.

 

Years Previous:  To escape an arranged marriage, Ruth flees her native Deutz, the Jewish Quarter of Cologne, to Holland.  Seventeen years later, Ruth returns to Cologne only to be arrested by the Inquisitor, Monsignor Solitario, who harbors revenge against Ruth’s family. To Ruth’s defense comes Detlef von Tennen, nobleman, canon and womanizer who longs to learn more of the philosophies taught in the open world of Holland, a land of where Detlef knows Ruth has traveled.

 

The author presents a fascinating story of Ruth’s life filled with colorful descriptions of time and place, food, clothing and architecture.  The plot develops into a beautiful love story between Detlef and Ruth which runs parallel to the evil Solitario, his witch hunt and the Inquisition.