book review: incantation

by Stephany G

"Some people say, save yourself and save your life. I say, be yourself and save your soul." If one were to read this quote on would think of a wise man that had gone through many difficult situations, but this quote was of the lips of a young teenager, sixteen years of age to be exact. Incantation is one of the most intriguing yet realistic books in the market to date, showing the intensive life of many people during the period of Jewish hatred (1500).This book uses elements in literature that makes the readers seem like one is experiencing this as well with the main character. At the same time it provides history, life lessons, magical twists, which make it not only pleasing to the senses, but you practically can't lay eyes of it. I completely suggest everyone from young to elder to embark upon this expedition that will leave you in awe and open yours eyes to our world's reality.

Incantation purpose was to experience the truth behind the lives of hidden Jews and how a simple fact can change the lives of you and the people in your surroundings, which can reveal the truth about others. In the beginning of this tale Estrella believes she as a person knows who she is a daughter, granddaughter, sister, beloved. Her best friend since young infants had always been the person who cheered her gloomy days and were tighter than ever. After seeing a horrible turns of events in result of hatred, like the burning of sacred books it got her thinking of what her country has come to. Estrella finds that truth about her family and who she is, a hidden Jew. Since the dangerous situation of being a Jew has raised in Spain their family had hidden who they are from friends and her. She is told that her true name is actually Esther and the many things they practice is the Jewish tradition.

In addition to that she is passionately in love with Andres (Catalina's cousin) yet she knows that their love is hopeless. As she is a Jew and she is not allowed to speak, eat a meal, let alone marry a Christian. Her best friend has always dreamed of the day when she marries Andres who unlike her father feels he will provide a better future. Once Catalina discovers their love she does the worst thing imaginable betrays her dear friend by turning her family in to the authorities. When her grandfather and Estrella begin to bond more than ever he gets taken away from his family members. Sadly he dies beaten to death and Estrella knows she now needs to escape to Amsterdam.

During her journey with her grandmother and Andres she learns that her mother and brother were burned to death. She sees Catalina for the last time and can no longer see the friend she loved, all she saw was a human filled with jealousy and hatred. She is now looking upon the stars that she will never see again in hopes of remembering those of her native land. Being so close to Amsterdam she can now imagine her future life where she can calmly continue her traditions and she will later be the one to pass her knowledge by recalling her past experiences, and pleading to the other generation to remember her past.

This top quality book included character that you as the readers will never forget, the characters in this story were what made this book meaningful. The main character, Estrella (Esther) is very wise for her young age and is exposed to horrible things that help her grow as a human being. Abra, Estrella's mother, was more than a mother, but someone Estrella could always confide to and she was amazing beautiful in the inside and out, not to mention she created art with her hands. Louis, Estrella's brother, was very intelligent and spent most of his lifetime in a seminary studying to become a priest, which would of gained justice for her family and other Jews. Andres, the love of Estrella's life, was kind, humble, handsome, and the one who got Estrella and her mother through the difficult journey. Catalina, was Estrella's friend until her horrid betrayal and jealousy overthrew who she was and became a hard, cruel person. Grandfather, was a wise men cold at first towards Estrella, but later on sees her potential and helps her become educated, which was rare at the time. Grandmother, Estrella fearful towards her, but later on she is the only strand of hope that leaves her Grandmother alive. These character together, for the exception of Catalina, create a bond at the worst of times and although many family members dies there history lived on.

Incantation shows the side of a person who's life was changed for the Jewish hatred surrounding her. For a piece a literature to be meaningful and make complete significance it's preferred to speak of only one side of the subject. This book is bias towards the side of Jewish people who suffered plenty throughout their life time. In order to tell the story of a person who experienced predicaments in life it would be confusing if the author were to tell both sides of a topic such as this because it would seem as it wouldn't be such a large problem in life. In this case the bias used wasn't a the truth hidden from the public, but more of a simple improvement in this book. Bias is used in everyday life to support our opinion, but those biases can either be a lie to blind one from reality or a great element in literature.

This piece of literature in my opinion was like a time travel to the important events of history. Incantation includes the cruel punishments that Jews experienced in Spain. For one the other perspective of something similar to a Holocaust, but in Spain rather than Germany. It also informed the readers of the kind of sacrifices Jews had to make in order to pass their traditions and religion onto the future generation. Incantation compared to other books available shows the beliefs of a Jew and what the limitations to their religion that doesn't allow them much freedom or they are given the horrible penalty of death. Knowledge is life and Incantation particularly expands our knowing of history and common life in general.