The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover tells the story of Abraham, a young man from Venice who escapes the city’s ghetto and restrictions on its Jewish citizens in the fall of 1598. His work takes him to the Burmese kingdom of Pegu, which has a rather unique custom of asking foreign traders to deflower young brides (this, by the way, is historically accurate).And so enters Mya, testing Abraham’s faith, good manners, and everything he believes in. Just when he thinks he has those things figured out, Pegu goes under siege, and he has to make even more difficult decisions, including whether to try to smuggle Mya to Venice, a crime that could lead to the deaths of many.I think because of its switching narrative perspectives, it took me a while to get into this book; at about 75 pages in, though, I was hooked, and at that point, there was no stopping me.For several days, I took Abraham and Mya everywhere with me. I couldn’t wait to find out what he was learning about himself, Judaism, Catholicism, Mya, and Pegu itself–and how he was expressing it in letters to his cousin Joseph back in Italy. And what was young Mya feeling, in this strange house with a foreign man?The Jewel Trader of Pegu is an extensively researched and beautifully written book. It was surely a great challenge for Hantover to write from the alternating perspectives of Abraham, a 16th century Jew in Venice, and Mya, who is illiterate, but it didn’t show at all in the prose–and I consider that a sign of great writing.If you like well-crafted, well-written, compelling stories that delve into cultural differences, historical customs, and the meaning of true love, The Jewel Trader of Pegu absolutely delivers.It wasn’t a quick read for me as it had me stopping and thinking every few pages, and that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.I give this book four espresso cups out of five.
In the 1590s news reached Italy of the source of Asia's outstanding jewels. Sailors' tales were backed by samples and so Abraham, a dutiful and good nephew, is sent, by his Uncle, on the long and difficult journey from Venice, to trade for the jewels that will make their family fortune. And there begins the tale of Abraham and what happens to him in Pegu, a Burmese kingdom noted for its rubies, sapphires, and spinels. Pegu, ruled by the usual foolish autocratic king, was now at war with its neighbours, and sold its jewels to keep the King in the kind of excessive luxury he preferred. tAbraham is sombre and solemn. Born in the Jewish Ghetto in Venice, losing his parents to the plague when a babe, and his wife and child during the child's birth, he has become morose, inward looking and philosophical. On the journey and in Pegu he writes long letters to his cousin, Joseph, and this is how we read his story, through those letters. For him Pegu is freedom. No longer forced to live in the Jews' Ghetto, wear the yellow hat or star, and be home by sunset, he revels in the vivid and so different tropical city life. All traders are strangers and foreigners, Abraham is just one more, not marked out for his religion. But then he finds that he is expected to initiate selected brides on their wedding night, a blow to this devout man. From that tangle of conscience and duty comes a most unlikely love.tThis is a first novel of merit. A quiet and thoughtful read about different kinds of freedoms, about prejudice and about finding oneself, about culture shock and cultural differences. Watching Abraham open out like a flower in the so different multicultural society, we too gain insights into what people can become. A book to read and reread and cherish.
Do You like book The Jewel Trader Of Pegu (2008)?
When I first read the description of this book I wasn't sure I would like it. I was in a bookclub online where the author joined us for a month and I'm so glad I did it. I really enjoyed the main characters journey and the strong friendships and love he found. I learned a lot about the different cultures and I really liked the characters. Having the author involved made it easier too because he answered so many questions and explained details and told us where the inspiration came from. I will probably read this book again.
—Wrighty
This is a beautifully written book. It takes me to a place I've never known and find it fascinating - such as the details about the bells, the tradition of the bride's wedding night, etc. But ultimately, the canvas of this book was too small. I wish this book had been longer with more of a variety of stories to tell instead of two or three main stories that centered around one theme (I don't want to give it away too much).I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about and visit a place that no longer exists, but I only gave three stars because I'm pretty sure I'm not reading it again.
—Jennifer Kim
On the plus side, this is the only historical fiction (or fictional, for that matter) book about Burma that I’ve ever read or come across. So, points for originality. And what Hantover has to say about life in the Venetian Ghetto and for Jews in Renaissance Italy may not be original, but is worth reading about. But it is all so very tedious. Nothing happens. Abraham thinks and ruminates and thinks and ruminates and buys stones and sexes up virgins and…that’s about it. Also, is this whole thing that a foreigner has to deflower the virgins before their marriage accurate or made up? And why does it have to be white foreigners? Because their arrival would’ve been fairly recent, and what did the people of Pegu do before that? There were nonwhite foreigners in residence; why did the interpreter insist it MUST be one of the white guys?!?!? And this ritual sounds totally made up and as a creepy tool by the author to get together the main couple. And, by the way dude, not romantic AT ALL. Especially since as far as we see from Abraham’s technique, he is not one for foreplay. For virgins who can’t speak his language I would say that being with Abraham is NOT the best experience. But somehow the love interest is SO impressed by him she falls in love. Yes…right…So, there’s the CREEPINESS and the lack of ANY romance and the SLOW slowness that is slow and lack of any conflict, or plot, or anything but unending description and reflection on religion and culture. And then, just when the action hits (fleeing the invading army) (view spoiler)[Abraham goes and gets sick and dies. (hide spoiler)]
—Bonnie
