More than a Tale…A Super Yarn: The Tale-Teller

Just finished Susan Glickman's most recent novel the Tale-Teller. Selected as the Vaughan Reads book for December 2013, Susan Glickman will be speaking at the Bathurst Clark Resource Branch of the Vaughan Public Library on December 8 2013 at 1 pm.  Mark your calendar now, as this is a great opportunity to speak with Susan about her research efforts, the creative process and the novel's fascinating twists and turns.

The Tale-Teller is a story spun around the real life experience of Ester Brandeau, the first Jewish woman to Canada in 1783.  Here's a little about Brandeau, as sourced from the Jewish Virtual Library: 

Esther Brandeau was actually the first Jewish woman to arrive in Canada in 1783. She was born in France and was able to come to the New World only because she disguised herself as a young boy. She named herself Jaques la Frague and became a well-liked apprentice on her ship and in the area of present day Quebec. Soon, however, Esther's mask was removed and both her gender and religion were revealed. 

As the lone Jew in the country, authorities in "New France" arrested her and attempted to convert her to Christianity. Esther was adamant in her refusal to convert. She wanted to live in Canada as a free citizen, but she also wanted to remain Jewish. The new government could not approve of her religion, and after a few years of correspondence with authorities in France, she was finally sent back to her home in La Rochelle. 

Esther Brandeau is an ideal representation of a woman who would do anything for her freedom except sacrifice her belief in Judaism. (Source: Taitz, Emily, Sondra Henry, Cheryl Tallan. The JPS Guide to Jewish Women. PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 2003.)

I am going to confess that I usually run away screaming from anything akin to historical fiction. I usually find this genre predictable and repressive, steeped in English "stodge" that always seems to deal with the elite class struggling against the monarchy or the church. It makes me crazy, and it usually bores me to tears. 

However, Glickman delivers a refreshing and creative treat to her readers. The Tale-Teller was creative, entertaining and unique. It held surprises and led the reader through many adventures. The female characters were strong and well drawn. I enjoyed the telling of pirate attacks, camel rides through deserts, clashes with slave traders, grim nuns in Canadian convents, lunatic asylums etc.  This story really has it all.

Just when I was convinced that the story was headed for the dreaded Hollywood romantic roundup, the author stays true to her character's independent spirit, and wraps the tale up fittingly.  Glickman cleverly holds back some central details, keeping for the reader a delicious surprise or two that build a solid and satisfying conclusion. It is efficiently written, and well edited. 

I recommend this novel highly. The "Added Value" here is that the reader will discover a piece of Canadian history that has been neglected and untold for hundreds of years. Well done Ms. Glickman!