The Last Jew is a novel by Noah Gordon

Noah Gordon

thumb|250px|Noah Gordon introducing his new book "The Bodega" in Barcelona.Noah Gordon is an American novelist. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts....

, 2000. It is about the Jews in the 15th century Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

, in the time of Inquisition

Inquisition

The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...

, when the Jews are expelled from Spain. It tell the story of the life of a Jewish boy named Yonah Toledano.

Plot summary

The year is 1492 and Spain is in the grip of the Inquisition. The Church has sponsored anti-Jewish feeling, culminating in the expulsion by royal edict of the entire Jewish community from their homes of many generations. Those that have not converted are forced to leave.

However, 15-year-old Yonah Toledano has been left behind. He has lost family members to the troubles, both his father, a celebrated Spanish silversmith, and his brother. On a donkey named Moise, he journeys, remaining a Jew, growing to manhood across Spain to escape his fate.

Literary significance and reception

Many critics have reviewed the book and their comments have often been positive.

"This is an excellent, abundant tapestry of a historical novel that will keep readers on the edges of their seats." — The Providence Journal

"Consistently superb ... The new novel showcases Gordon's strength as a writer of provocative historical fiction." — The San Francisco Chronicle

"[Noah Gordon] illuminates the choices history forces on individuals—and, not incidentally, creates a grand, informative adventure and a completely engaging, unsentimental portrait of a turbulent time." — Publishers Weekly

"Gordon is a natural storyteller, and, given the novel's fascinating setting and a more-than-likeable hero, this superior historical novel should have a place in all libraries." — Library Journal

Awards and nominations

• Que Leer Prize winner (Spain)
• Boccaccio Literary Prize winner (Italy)