Miriam becomes learned in both Torah and women’s medicine when she becomes a midwife. The families face the dangers of the times, but their love for each other and faith brings them through. A nice depiction of Jewish medieval life, ( )

I enjoy these novels, which provide an interesting glimpse of Jewish life more than a thousand years ago. This is an engaging story of Miriam, a midwife who becomes a mohelet, controversial in its time (in addition to her Torah study, which was primarily allowed only to men). Her marriage to Judah, who is a "good" husband but who harbors deep secrets, is compelling.

In many cases throughout this book, it seemed too restrained. It could go further dramatically, and there were some missed opportunities. The ending felt dissatisfying, but that's mainly because I am reading it with modern eyes. The ending is realistic and appropriate for the times...I just wished it could have been different. ( )

I enjoy these novels, which provide an interesting glimpse of Jewish life more than a thousand years ago. This is an engaging story of Miriam, a midwife who becomes a mohelet, controversial in its time (in addition to her Torah study, which was primarily allowed only to men). Her marriage to Judah, who is a "good" husband but who harbors deep secrets, is compelling.

In many cases throughout this book, it seemed too restrained. It could go further dramatically, and there were some missed opportunities. The ending felt dissatisfying, but that's mainly because I am reading it with modern eyes. The ending is realistic and appropriate for the times...I just wished it could have been different. ( )

The second book in the series, this story focuses on Miriam, Rashi's middle child. When Miriam's fiancée dies in a tragic accident, she is thrust into depression and despair. Not even her training as a midwife can bring her out of her funk. Only time and distance seems to help. After marrying Judah, the two struggle with a variety of issues. Judah struggles with homosexual urges, while Miriam decides to learn the art of circumcision, causing great debate within her community.

Overall, I thought this book was well written. It wasn't as engaging as the first book, which I found a bit surprising. I wish the book focused more on her being a midwife and mohl, which would have caught my interest a bit more. I think I just wanted a little more from the story, everything seemed a bit too easy for Miriam. ( )

This second book in a series about Rashi’s daughters continues to give readers insight into the world of Jewish women in a medieval Jewish community in France.
The novels, based on history expanded by the author’s literary creativity, portray a specific daughter and her individuality along with the remainder of Rashi’s extended family. In Book II the focus is on Rashi’s middle daughter, Miriam, a midwife, healer, and female mohel (mohelet).

This story was less plausible and less engaging for me than Book I: Joheved. The intertwining of Talmud, Baraita, and Gemorrah with the portrayal of sexual desires seemed contrived. While Anton weaves a realistic picture of human emotions and family dynamics, the picture is so close to today’s language that it can’t be true for 11th century France. Nevertheless I recommend this book for the many dimensions it offers: the fascinating life of Rashi and Jewish academics; strong women and their desires for love, learning, self actualization; and daily life in feudal France in the Middle Ages. Let me know if you find this riveting and informative and a thumb’s up choice. "Book III - Rachel" is due in 2009.
Cyrille Cobe - February, 2009