Frances Sherwood brings to life the experience of the Jewish community during a period of oppression and rebirth. Set in seventeenth-century Prague, The Book of Splendor is an adventure-filled romance stocked with court intrigue and political tension, including the machinations of the rival Ottoman Empire, the religious controversies of Protestantism, and the constant threat of violence to the Jewish community. At the heart of the novel is Rochel, a bastard seamstress who escapes poverty through an arranged marriage to the tailor Zev, but falls in love with Yossel, the Golem created by Rabbi Loew to protect the Jewish community. Meanwhile, Emperor Rudolph II puts the safety of all Prague at risk in his mad bid for an elixir of immortality. The Book of Splendor is an epic tale reminiscent of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, and a love story as unlikely as Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring. Reading group guide included.

About the Author
Frances Sherwood is a teacher in South Bend, Indiana, where she lives with her husband. Her works of fiction include Vindication, Night of Sorrows, and The Book of Splendor.

Reviews
"Starred Review. A provocative, gripping novel." -- Booklist
"Richly textured." -- Los Angeles Times
"The Book of Splendor is not just a title but truth in labeling...stunning.... [Sherwood] is the rare writer whose work goes far beyond what we think of as historical novels." -- New York Times
"This is a book with splendor to spare." -- Carolyn See - Washington Post
"There is no end to the superlatives to apply to this mesmerizing novel....A truly remarkable achievement." -- Scott Turow
"Frances Sherwood has called to life a remarkable ensemble in The Book of Splendor, from the struggling citizens of the Judenstadt to the alchemists intent on securing immortality for a mad emperor. This is a wonderful book about the meaning of life: what it means to create and what it means to live honorably in the world." -- Sheri Holman, author of The Dress Lodger



Book Information
ISBN 9780393324587
Author Frances Sherwood
Format Paperback
Page Count 360
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 459g
Dimensions(mm) 211mm * 140mm * 23mm