The Jewish Husband by Lia Levi

The Jewish Husband by Lia Levi, translated by Antony Shugaar – 209 pages

Book Blurb:

It is 1938 and fascist Italy has imposed its infamous race laws. A young Jewish professor entertains a tormented passion for the beautiful and enigmatic Sonia. She is everything that he is not: the privileged daughter of a family that is wealthy, prominent, and above all, gentile. He wins her affections, but the price is great. He must deny his origins in order to enter that jealously guarded circle of intimates composed of her family and their friends. It is a world that has no use for him and forces him into humiliating and painful compromises.

My Review: 3 stars

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The Jewish Husband is an interesting look at fascist Italy during the 1930’s and a love affair between a privileged Italian girl (her last name is Gentile) and a Jewish teacher. The Pauline law takes place to allow them to marry and the short book takes you through the conflicts that arise during this time period. I found the translation inspiring and some of the quotes from the main character quite insightful.

Quotes I Liked:

But hatred is a poison that moves terribly quickly because, unlike love, it need waste no time seeking a soulmate.”

-“Nothing is unique, this I know, and not even our feelings are “unique,” but it’s equally true that no one can help but believe that their own emotions really are.”