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Guardian of the Dawn
The Zarco family would go to Goa to meet Isaac, their father’s younger brother who had been baptised on deciding to live in Goa, since Jews were not allowed to reside permanently inside Portuguese territories. His wife Maria was a "Christian by birth" and the couple had adopted Wadi, an Arab orphan whom they named Francisco Xavier. As the siblings approach adulthood, Tiago falls in love with Tejal and the growing attraction between Sofia and Wadi can’t be ignored. The peace of the Zarco household is broken when Berekiah is imprisoned by the Inquisition in Goa. Tiago acts merciful and liberates his father for life. Later, Tiago is himself imprisoned, tortured but emerges a survivor forced to convert to Christianity, he is sentenced to prison in Lisbon. While in prison, Tiago shrewdly plans his vengeance. After serving his sentence, he returns to`A0Goa to live with his uncle and aunt as a dedicated convert. The writer is the creator of an unusual narrative that delves into the harsh realities of persecution. The reader will be taken on a journey that will lead to some shocking facts and revelations of history. The reader will actually be able to feel the suspicious glances, awe and fear of the citizens. The Inquisition wrecked havoc on the life of the citizens in India. Temples were burnt, non-believers imprisoned and forced conversions were the order of the day. The converts to Christianity sometimes called conversos had crosses on their houses as a symbol of assurance of their loyalty to the Church. The Inquisition spared none whether Hindu, Jain or Jew. Guardians of the Dawn is a historical novel written with verve that covers many aspects of the Inquisition. The book spans continents, religions and touches several corners of the Portuguese and colonial Portuguese society. The book deals not only with history but is an excellent study of human nature and relationships. The loyalty of Hindu Nupi to her Jewish masters is unwavering. Sofia’s self-destructive passion for Wadi is frightening, while Tiago’s own love life is full of pathos. The writer has painted a beautiful picture of the myriad of characters. Zimler has gracefully interwoven the`A0Indian way of life of the Zarco family and the Jewish traditions kept alive by them. The scenes and scents of India have been depicted correctly. Zimler writes with finesse and honesty when he describes the Portuguese as they appear to little Tiago. "As for the tens of thousands of Portuguese residents, they looked like feudal lords and ladies in their endless layers of gauzy and frilly clothing. The men wore feathers in their caps too, which`A0I thought idiotic...I hated the women’s pencilled eyebrows which looked to me like bat wings." The reader will enjoy this compulsive saga of love, evil, hatred, betrayal and vengeance.
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SET
in the 16th century, Guardian of the Dawn is an unusual narrative
of persecution in Portuguese Goa. The Zarco family is of
Portuguese-Jewish descent and lives on the outskirts of the colonial
Portuguese territory. The family consists of Berekiah Zarco, his
omnipresent dead Hindu wife, son Tiago and daughter Sofia. Berekiah
works as an illuminator for the Sultan of Bijapur. The siblings enjoy
their childhood with Nupi, their Hindu cook, who indulges them
occasionally. With Berekiah as their guide, the children learn to
illustrate manuscripts.