Book Review: “Kantika” by Elizabeth Graver

This novel is a kaleidoscopic portrait of one family’s displacement across four countries. Kantika – “song” in Ladino—follows the joys and losses of Rebecca Cohen, feisty daughter of the Sephardic elite of early 20th-century Istanbul. When the Cohens lose their wealth and are forced to move to Barcelona to start anew, Rebecca fashions a life from what comes her way — a failed marriage, the need to earn a living, but also passion, pleasure, and motherhood. Moving from Spain to Cuba to New York for an arranged second marriage, she faces her greatest challenge — her disabled stepdaughter, Luna, whose feistiness equals her own and whose challenges pit new family against old.

This book review, led by Brenda Lind, will take place in the Oshman Multi-Purpose Room. Book reviews are open to the public, and we request that you RSVP online or by contacting the Sisterhood office at 713.529.5771, ext. 233 or sishood@emanuelhouston.org.