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  • The Weight of Ink

  • Written by: Rachel Kadish
  • Narrated by: Corrie James
  • Length: 23 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (165 ratings)

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The Weight of Ink cover art

The Weight of Ink

Written by: Rachel Kadish
Narrated by: Corrie James
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Publisher's Summary

Set in the London of the 1660s and of the early 21st century, The Weight of Ink is the interwoven tale of two women of remarkable intellect: Ester Velasquez, an emigrant from Amsterdam who is permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi, just before the plague hits the city, and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a love of Jewish history. As the novel opens, Helen has been summoned by a former student to view a cache of 17th-century Jewish documents newly discovered in his home during a renovation. Enlisting the help of Aaron Levy, an American graduate student as impatient as he is charming, and in a race with another fast-moving team of historians, Helen embarks on one last project: to determine the identity of the documents' scribe, the elusive "Aleph". Electrifying and ambitious, sweeping in scope and intimate in tone, The Weight of Ink is a sophisticated work of historical fiction about women separated by centuries, and the choices and sacrifices they must make in order reconcile the life of the heart and mind.

©2017 Rachel Kadish (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Weight of Ink

Average Customer Ratings
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  • E.
  • 2017-11-04

Bad American accent

As much as I loved this story, I kept getting pulled up short by the American accent that the narrator used for one of the characters. Not only does it frequently slip into English sounding vowels, but it bears no resemblance to any dialect in American spoken English. Her narration is sensitive and generally accomplished otherwise.

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3 people found this helpful

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Gripping intellectual, dual time period novel

The narrator coped well with the different characters, providing distinguishable voices. Both storylines were equally interesting and compelling. I learned a fair bit about the history of plague era Jews in England and their history. Throw in academic competition in the contemporary story line, no improbable romances and you have a book that respects the reader and improves them for having read it.

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1 person found this helpful

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The weight of ink - profound statement

Fabulous book- inspiring imagery and vivid portrayal of Jewish life in medieval London. loved it!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Exquisite

Excellent story and recording. Life changing and fully engaging. Strongly recommend. Really enjoyed every moment of the recording

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enthralled

Beautiful writing, captivating story and extremely talented narrator. This is the best book I’ve listened to in years. I’m ready to hear it again.

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Beautiful

This was a beautifully written and beautifully read story. I highly recommend it. I miss it already.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Bridge Across Time

This book will dwell in my heart for a long time. The author's lush descriptions of both 17th century London and the modern places that hold onto the remnants of that earlier time set the reader firmly in time and space. I can see Library Patricia's desk, the white gloves and stubby pencils, smell the ancient dust of the papers as the historians read them. If you loved People of the Book, I would recommend this--it is at once philosophy and psychology, the dedication of the human spirit and the passion of the heart. The gifts that pass from Ester to Helen and thence to Aaron, trace a line across the centuries to inspire all of us. I have the deepest respect for historians who recreate the lives of 'ordinary people', knowing that, as Margaret Laurence said, "There are no ordinary people, just unique human individuals who matter."

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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The power of story and of complex characters.

I loved going back in time - the richness of the details and the philosophy shared was so intriguing. I could picture it all so clearly. I am in awe of the narrator’s capacity to capture so many voices. The American accent of Aaron was the sole disappointment — it did not feel real. Therefore Aaron Levy’s character fell flat for me. The character of Helen Watt will be one that will remain with me for a long time. Oh and “the Patricias”. 😀 too. There was so much to the inner life of a Helen that only the reader had the privilege to know.
Wonderful book.

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engaging historical novel

The time period and Jewish history in Amsterdam and London is the background to a thoroughly engaging story presented by an extent reader.

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amazing

beautifully written book with such history and intimate story of how people cope with being different and the wonders of the difference. I loved the modern and historical couples and the complexity of their characters and how they related to each other though centuries apart.
Jewish history I did not know and found fascinating if not disturbing how they are constantly outcast.

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