Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Acts of Faith is a richly told and well-researched historical novel about two Jewish men, Juan and Isaac, and the events of their lives as they face persecution, the expulsion of Jews from Spain, and the Inquisition. 

Prose: Gorsky's prose is specific, highly detailed, and doesn't shy away from vivid descriptions of unsettling events and circumstances; the plague in particular is described in fascinating, gory detail. 

Originality: Acts Of Faith is unique in that it depicts two very different Jewish men enduring persecution and prejudice, and how they deal with (or deny) their faith, set against the backdrop of the expulsion of Jews and the Spanish Inquisition.

Character/Execution: The men are sympathetic characters, particularly Isaac, a physician who only wants to help people and practice his faith openly. Juan, however, is more layered and problematic; he's a self-hating Jew raised as a Christian, and his shame, confusion, and self-loathing only grow over time; he ultimately emerges as more a figure of pity than a hero.

Date Submitted: May 25, 2024