I'm happy to share with you a lovely starred review of MIRIAM in the latest Library Journal. This means that lots of libraries will be ordering the book, and because Library Journal is a highly respected source of book reviews for the trade, other magazines and newspapers consult it before deciding what they'll review.
*Anton, Maggie. Rashi's Daughters. Bk. 2: Miriam. Plume: Penguin Group
(USA). Aug. 2007. c.496p. ISBN 978-0-452-28863-8. pap. $15. F
After opening her trilogy on renowned Talmud scholar Rashi's three daughters with the successful debut novel Rashi's Daughters, Book 1: Joheved, Anton delivers a tour de force with this second book. Here, the headstrong determination of middle daughter Miriam enables her to face head-on the many challenges endured by women of the 11th century, even if it does pose a problem for her father. Anton draws readers into life, love, and Talmud in medieval France, and her extensive research into this time period shows in her deft portrait of what life might have been like for the young daughter of a Jewish scholar. Readers will be fascinated as Miriam is appointed the community's midwife and will grimace as she decides to become a mohel, or ritual circumciser. They will fly through the nearly 500 pages and come away wishing for more. This fresh approach to historical fiction is recommended for all public libraries, especially those serving a large Jewish population; a study guide is available online. [Anton's third novel in the trilogy will center on Rashi's youngest daughter, Rachel.-Ed.]-
(* - means that it is a starred review)
For those of you who live in the NYC area, I'll be in town at the end of May to attend Book Expo Amercia (BEA) and the Jewish Book Network. I'll also be speaking at several synagogues in town, if you'd like to come hear me. Here's my schedule:
May 31 - URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) lunch 'n learn, NYC at noon
May 31 - Forest Hills Jewish Center, NY, at 8 pm
June 1 - Congregation Beth Simchat Torah in NYC, at 7:30 pm
June 2 - Park Avenue Synagogue in NYC, shabbat services and lunch
June 3 - Israel Center for Conservative Judaism, Flushing NY at 10 am
And more good news: Plume has moved the pub date for MIRIAM up three weeks to August 7.
The galleys went out to vaious folks to review, and hopefully write a
nice blurb for MIRIAM. Who to ask was tricky because I couldn't use
any of the ones who wrote blurbs for JOHEVED. Well, the results are in
and here the five great blurbs that came back and will go on the first
two pages of reviews. See if you can guess which two will be on the cover.
"In RASHI'S DAUGHEERS Maggie Anton has created a genre all its own:
historical fiction where avid Talmud learning, candid sensuality and
subtle feminism meet. In BOOK II: MIRIAM, Maggie has surpassed
herself. She offers Talmudic insights, true to life yet colorful
characters and a riveting plot, which together make for a most
informative and enjoyable read. Not to be missed!"
--Eva Etzioni-Halevy, Author of The Song of Hannah and The Garden of Ruth
"Rashi and his extended family become real people with very familiar
challenges and triumphs -- difficulty in childbirth, the place of
educated women in a society not used to that, and the sacred quest for
Jewish learning coupled with the need to earn a living. Well
researched and absolutely intriguing to read... what a wonderful story
this is!"
--Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor
of Philosophy, American Jewish University (formerly the University of
Judaism), Los Angeles.
"Rashi's Daughters MIRIAM gives us a fascinating glimpse into the
world of Jewish women long ago. A wonderful read!"
--Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, author ReVisions: Seeing Torah through A Feminist Lens
"Once again, Maggie Anton has delighted us with an engrossing story of
the family and the circle of students around Rashi, the medieval
commentator on the Bible and Talmud. Rashi's Daughters: Miriam is a
sensitive portrayal of a complex young woman, a conscientious midwife
and healer, who strives for learning, love and inner contentment.
This unique historical novel acquaints the reader with a variety of
distinctive men and women who reflect upon and struggle with the
powerful forces within and outside of them."
--Jody Myers, Professor,
Department of Religious Studies, Coordinator, Jewish Studies Program
California State University, Northridge
"Who knew that traditional Jewish life in medieval France could be so
bound up in physical desire? In this compelling and well-researched
historical novel, Anton shows us the love, family, sex and death that
made up the daily lives of those surrounding the greatest rabbinic
commentator in history. This creative reading of the life of Rashi's
second daughter, Miriam, suggests that gender, sex, and sexuality were
as complicated then as they are now."
--David Shneer, Director, Center for Judaic Studies, Associate Professor, History, University of Denver.