This novel tells the story of Jessica, the beautiful but vain 16-year-old daughter of Shylock from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. Set in 16th century Venice it vividly portrays the plight of Jews at the time, life in the ghetto and the personal dilemma of a teenage girl who yearns to escape its confines. Jessica’s relationship with her father is conflicted and while Shylock loves his daughter more than life itself, he cannot understand or accept her desire to leave the ghetto. Shylock’s character is also complex as he is shown as a man who was filled with love for his daughter, longing for his late wife, Leah, and compassion for Amalia, who has assumed the position of head of his household. But at the same time, he seeks only revenge on those who he believes have stolen his daughter away from him and have inflicted so much pain on his people over centuries of persecution. Dalilah, the young girl who has grown up with Jessica and is now her servant, comes of age in the story as well. She does not reject her upbringing but also desires to explore the world beyond the ghetto walls.

The author provides a reach introduction to traditional Jewish life and customs and attempts to dispel several stereotypes. It also provides a rich portrait of the social norm, dress, cultural aspects and physical setting of 16th century Venice. The writing seemed a little stilted at times but that is likely because it was translated from the German. The plot always moved forward and maintained my interest throughout. All of the characters were complex—Lorenzo seemed to truly love Jessica but also suspected that she would inherit a large fortune from her father. The subplot of Dalilah and Jehudah was intriguing as you were never sure whether these two would come together or go their separate ways. I really like the ending because Jessica’s fate was not known. She is pregnant at the end of the story, has lost her family, has rejected her past but has come to realize how painful the consequences of her decisions will be for the rest of her life. ( )

The Shylock from the title is the Shylock from The Merchant of Venice. The book does not strictly follow the play but I don’t think it strays too far. Shylock makes his famous ‘do we not bleed’ speech at a different time and place, the pound of flesh comes about differently too as well as a few other things. The main story is there but the focus is different. You get to see a human side to Shylock. Him with his family, with his grief, with his hated for those who hate and humiliate him. He becomes a real person instead of just the villain. You get to see Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, much more closely too and the decisions that she makes have more background and further consequences. There are new characters too. One is Dalilah, Jessica’s adopted sister, and the book alternates between a third person account of Jessica and her father and a first person account by Dalilah. Dalilah’s life is mostly out of her control and it is interesting to hear her thoughts on the actions of those around her since they will have such an effect on her. The other familiar characters from the play also take on different qualities. They are not cast as the heroes of the piece. Although the trial is devastating for Shylock in the play, in the book it takes on a sinister, almost sickening feel as you see Shylock torn apart and it treated as fun and games to everyone else. You also get to see the effect the outcome has on Jessica and learn that maybe the ending wasn’t as happy for everyone as it seemed. It is a look at the other side. You get to see the whole story unfold from Shylock’s perspective. There are more shades of grey when you can see Shylock’s point of view and come to see him as more than an angry, spiteful monster. There is also a lot in the book about how the Jews were treated and how they lived and worked at the time. It is interesting to learn about the Ghettos and how certain jobs were forbidden to Jews. And the history was worked into the book well so it flowed with the story. I don’t think you have to have read the play to appreciate the book but at least a working knowledge of it will certainly help. ( )