Title: By Fire, By WaterAuthor: Mitchell James Kaplan
Publisher: Other Press
ISBN, PUB Date: 978-1590513521, May 18, 2010
Reviewed By: Irene Yeates for Author Exposure
By Fire, By Water 
transports the reader to a chaotic, shameful, yet unprecedented period in world history. Late in the 15th Century, Queen Ysabel of Castile and King Fernando of Aragon, politically connected through their marriage, sought not only to unite all of Spain’s kingdoms, but also to fully purge non-Christians from their unified Roman Catholic sovereignty. While the monarchy’s original intent to unify Spain spawned the transition from kingdoms to the development of nations, it is difficult to justify the methods utilized to acquire power without recognizing the emanating greed in the name of religion.
Amid this historically monstrous quagmire, one surprisingly unfaltering man stands out, Comptroller of the Treasury in Zaragoza, intimate of King Fernando. Luis de Santangel, a third-generation converso/marrano is respected and well-known far beyond the kingdoms of Spain. Luis detests not only the Inquisition, but also its detrimental influence upon Christians eager to conspire against each other.
Aware of the nefarious and depraved proceedings of the newly appointed Chief Inquisitor of Aragon, Luis instigates a plot to murder this man who now possesses infallible proof that may endanger the lives of family, friends and those in his service. Neither his prominent status, his friendship with the king nor his wealth prove sufficient to shield him from covetous eyes and ears that seek the Inquisition’s gratitude. Inquisitor General Torquemada’s relentless wrath is minutely assuaged by Luis’ imprisonment, despite its lack of total deprivation. With little more than the Scriptures in his secluded cell, Luis stumbles upon an auspicious passage prescient of his friend Cristobal Colon’s unwavering belief; the “fulfillment of his destiny.”
transports the reader to a chaotic, shameful, yet unprecedented period in world history. Late in the 15th Century, Queen Ysabel of Castile and King Fernando of Aragon, politically connected through their marriage, sought not only to unite all of Spain’s kingdoms, but also to fully purge non-Christians from their unified Roman Catholic sovereignty. While the monarchy’s original intent to unify Spain spawned the transition from kingdoms to the development of nations, it is difficult to justify the methods utilized to acquire power without recognizing the emanating greed in the name of religion. Amid this historically monstrous quagmire, one surprisingly unfaltering man stands out, Comptroller of the Treasury in Zaragoza, intimate of King Fernando. Luis de Santangel, a third-generation converso/marrano is respected and well-known far beyond the kingdoms of Spain. Luis detests not only the Inquisition, but also its detrimental influence upon Christians eager to conspire against each other.
Aware of the nefarious and depraved proceedings of the newly appointed Chief Inquisitor of Aragon, Luis instigates a plot to murder this man who now possesses infallible proof that may endanger the lives of family, friends and those in his service. Neither his prominent status, his friendship with the king nor his wealth prove sufficient to shield him from covetous eyes and ears that seek the Inquisition’s gratitude. Inquisitor General Torquemada’s relentless wrath is minutely assuaged by Luis’ imprisonment, despite its lack of total deprivation. With little more than the Scriptures in his secluded cell, Luis stumbles upon an auspicious passage prescient of his friend Cristobal Colon’s unwavering belief; the “fulfillment of his destiny.”
“Go swift messengers,Though dismayed by his friend Luis’ perilous dilemma, an annoyingly obdurate Cristobal Colon boldly seeks a resolute Queen's financial support for his exploratory voyage in search of a westward route from Spain to the Indies. Irritated by Torquemada's rampancy, Fernando orders that Luis be released. Luis intercedes on his friend Colon’s behalf. The ultimate unification of Spain not only originates with the ostensibly peaceful Jewish diaspora, but also entails the essential crusade to expel Granada's Moors. Thus, Ysabel firmly demurs until Luis de Santangel startles the Queen with his offer:
to a nation scattered and torn apart
to a people tall and smooth-skinned—
a trampled tribe, waiting and hoping—
whose land is divided by waters…” (247)
“If I were to underwrite Senor Colon’s voyage, with all the benefits accruing to the Crowns, would you then consider supporting such an expedition?...”It is abysmally disappointing to discover how history is often distorted to assuage specific religious cultures' fallacious beliefs, indifferent to the callous inaccuracies. Yet, it is astonishingly redemptive to read such a profoundly elucidating and enlightening book that not only dispels the original premise one remembers, but also offers captivatingly comprehensive facets of a pivotal period in world history. The lyrical prose is ample motivation to linger through the pages. Why Mitchell James Kaplan’s By Fire, By Water is not on the top ten of all historical fiction lists is incomprehensible. If you read just one book this year, I highly recommend that it is this one.
“…Why would any man of sound mind contemplate doing such a thing?...”
“…Because it is time, Your Highness…Because it must be…” (270)
“Who shall live and who shall die
Who at the measure of days and who before
Who by fire and who by water
Who by the sword and who by wild beasts
Who shall have rest and who shall go wandering
Who shall be brought low and who shall be raised high.” (272)
2 comments:
He was on my top 8 list for 2010 ;)
History's truth distorted, making this read quite emotional but very intriguing.
Thanks for posting, Marie. According to the author's website, he is working on his next historical novel. Set in the first century AD, this novel is about the conflict between the Roman Empire and Judea. Should be another great read!
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