After centuries of pogrom-like riots encouraged by the Church, the Jews — who have been an important part of Spanish life since the days of the Romans — are expelled from the country by royal edict. Many who wish to remain are intimidated by Church and Crown and become Catholics, but several hundred thousand choose to retain their religion and depart; given little time to flee, some perish even before they can escape from Spain.
Yonah Toledano, the year-old son of a celebrated Spanish silversmith, has seen his father and brother die during these terrible days — victims whose murders go almost unnoticed in a time of mass upheaval. Trapped in Spain by circumstances, he is determined to honor the memory of his family by remaining a Jew. The Last Jew is a glimpse of the past, an authentic tale of high adventure, and a tender and unforgettable love story.
Discuss Yonah's sexuality. Consider how his sexual experiences were shaped by his secret existence. What effect do you believe this had on his personality and his life? Consider the novel's title.
Perhaps in there were other unconverted persons who, for one reason or another, failed to depart when the Jews left Spain. Yonah knew there were Jews in other lands. Why did he feel as though he were the last Jew in the world? Consider the character of the physician Bernardo Espina, and discuss how the author used this characterization to impart information about the era, medieval medicine, and the Inquisition.
What does Espina's marriage reveal about the society? Discuss his religious feelings, and his attitude toward both Catholicism and Judaism.
Examine the clandestine Jewish religious service in which Yonah took part while a guest in the Saadi home in Granada. Then consider the religious services which he experienced years later with the same group of conversos in the hidden valley of Pradogrande. Discuss the reasons for the differences. Consider Nuno Fiero, physician of Saragossa.
What prompted his interest in Yonah? Why was he inclined to look favorably upon Jews?
In addition to medical science, what are some of the other lessons that he taught Yonah? In Judaism, Jews may pray when alone, but the presence of ten persons ten men in Orthodoxy is required before a formal religious service may begin.
In your opinion is there a connection between this requirement and the fact that the children and descendants of most of the "secret Jews" ended up as Catholics? Can you think of other reasons why Judaism could not survive in subsequent generations? The period described in The Last Jew was a violent and often barbarous time. Those that have not converted are forced to leave. However, 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. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the novel.