"A good hisoical romance"
In 1800 Porto, Portugal, the memories of the Spanish
Inquisition linger as Jews hide their faith to avoid a
repeat of their previous fate. In this environs nine-year-
old John Zarco Stewart becomes a friend with slightly older
street person Daniel. John soon learns that his family is
Jewish, which is why they are shunned by much of the
townsfolk and fail to practice in their home. Violeta
joins the two boys, but the guys one day find marks on her
body as if someone battered her. She insists she fell, but
her two pals think her odious uncle assaulted her. When Daniel drowns and Violeta's family removes her from
Porto, John feels bored and guilty because he thinks he
caused misfortune for his two only pals until his papa
brings home a new companion, African Bushman Midnight, who
turns into a friend and mentor. As John becomes an adult,
he marries, but a secret from the past propels him to
journey to America where he starts a new adventure with a
black woman. HUNTING MIDNIGHT is a biographical fiction that consists of
two stories. The first part of the book centers on the
coming of age of the narrator. This segment is insightful
as it provides depth to life on the Iberian peninsular
during the Napoleonic Era, but also moves forward slowly as
the misadventures seem somewhat trivial. The latter half
of the book focuses on adventures of John the adult in the
Americas. This is quite exciting as John adapts to a
strange new world. Richard Zimmler returns his audience to
Portugal three centuries after his delightful THE LAST
KABBALIST OF LISBON with a strong historical tale. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 20, 2003
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