María Rosa Menocal (1953–2012)

While reading this book, I vacillated between rating it a 3, 4, or 5. Upon finishing the book, including the last chapter and prologue, I could not rate it any less than 5. The author addresses very complex issues and history in an understandable way. I thought there was too much redundancy in the third quarter of the book, however I was brought out of that when I read the last of the book. Everything came together.
Religious and cultural tolerance and intolerance exist simultaneously among one race. Ones' beliefs become who one is and is a vital part of self- and community-identity. This is a complexity with which humans have dealt for eternity. To find one place where the essence of tolerance lived in-between eras of intolerance then expand upon its origins and demise is to the author's credit. That she is able to present it in an easy to read framework reflects her genius.
I have not yet read Decameron or Don Quixote, but will do so now with a much greater understanding of the books' contexts than if I had read them prior to reading this wonderful book.… (more)