Kantika by Elizabeth Graver is a multi-generational story about a Jewish family’s journey for survival in 20th Century Istanbul. The Cohens were wealthy and well-known in their community, but when they lost their fortune, they had to abandon their home in Istanbul. They moved to Barcelona, where they started fresh but were still hesitant to be welcomed by the community. While the story explores the background and tales of the Cohen family, the novel predominantly centers on one of the daughters, Rebecca Cohen.
Rebecca is saddened to leave her home in Istanbul, yet she hopes to find her path in Barcelona. She experiences passion and pleasure but must confront a failed marriage and the challenge of providing for her children after her husband abandons them. Rebecca’s older sister encourages her to relocate from Spain to Cuba and then to New York (due to immigration reasons) for an arranged second marriage. Though hesitant at first, Rebecca ultimately decides that this marriage could benefit her and her children, agreeing to marry her new husband, only to discover he has a disabled stepdaughter, Luna.
The book was an okay read. It could be overwhelming at times to keep track of the various characters and their outcomes. At times, I felt there wasn’t much of a storyline. I also thought the ending seemed rushed and pointless. The author shifts between different characters, and the writing style wasn’t always easy to follow, which made it harder to engage with the book. I believe the author should have focused more on the main character, Rebecca, with the majority of the story revolving around her. I would be open to reading more books by the author, but not if they share the same writing style. The book contained themes of memory, belonging, religion, identity, and the impacts of historical trauma.
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