The Poetry of Secrets

As a piece of historical fiction, this one is packed with cultural and factual information. Spanish, Latin, and Hebrew words are sprinkled generously throughout the text, giving the story context. Dates, locations, and historically accurate characters form the basis of the plot. (Torquemada, a key figure in the Spanish Inquisition comes to the town of Trujillo, where the family in the story lives.) Isabel learns about the Torah, the Megillah, and the Talmud, all of which are Hebrew texts not made available to women in her era. She reads works from Jewish poets and Arab poets who came before her. She learns of the history of Al-Andalusia, the Arab-ruled Spain before her time. Diego speaks of paints and painters (Veroccio, Michaelangelo), philosphers (Maimonides) and different ideologies. 

Isabel's grandmother, her Abuela, is an educated, "lettered" woman who teaches Isabel to read in Spanish and in Hebrew. She's Isabel's confidante and supporter. Isabel's father lets Isabel run aspects of his wine production business, such as the ledger and some of the client relations. Isabel is hungry to learn about her heritage, follow her artistic passions, and be loyal to her family.

Kissing, hand holding, desire to be "lain with," a barmaid's breasts "practically" fall out of her bodice in front of a young man's face. Diego has been known to "sample the flesh."