Shylock's Daughter

by Mirjam Pressler

Book Overview

As the beautiful daughter of a wealthy moneylender, Jessica leads a relatively privileged life in the Jewish Ghetto. But during her rare walks through the main streets of Venice, she has caught... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803726678
• ISBN13: 9780803726673
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Dial Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Brings the times to life

Mirjam Pressler's Shylock's Daughter tells of a beautiful teen, daughter of a wealthy money-lender who leads a privileged life in the Jewish ghetto. Her involvement with a Christian man in 1568 Venice will change all their lives in this extrapolation from Shakespeare's play, which brings the times to life.

Shylocks Daughter Review

This is an excellent book taking out aspects of the play by Shakespeare; the Merchant of Venice. But don't let this put you off as it is very up to date and has issues that we deal with in every day life such as religous racism and prejudice, loyalty and friendship, greed and pride, and family tentions. Jessica is the daughter of a traditional jew and they live in a Jewish ghetto. There are many historical facts in this book such as: the gates of the ghetto are locked so she and many other Jews are imprisoned in this part of the city. She longs to be free of the rules of the Jewish tradition. When she falls in love with a young christian she leaves and robs her father and runs away to marry Lorenzo. But this new world is not so welcoming to this Jewish girl.We are left wondering if Jessica is ever truly happy. Did she really know Lorenzo when she married him or was she just as much in love with all the riches of a Christian life that her religion forbids?This is a great read and I reccomend that you read it.

Review of Shylocks Daughter

This book is set at a Jewish ghetto in Rome in the twelfth century but adresses issues that I see are in our world today. Issues of racial and religious prejudice, greed and pride and authority figures and teenagers love and reality. Jessica is born in her fathers frugal ways and strict following of the Jewish rules. It is based on the Merchant of Venice and is a story full of adventures and surprises.