Reviews and readers' comments
Full review
The Lampmaker is an engrossing and moving fictional account of one Jewish family’s struggle to survive the oppression of Czarist Russia in late nineteenth century Latvia. Author Ian Assersohn has based his debut novel on stories that his father told him about his Latvian grandfather. The warmth and admiration which the author feels for his characters is palpable. We meet Itzhak Yacobson and his wife Scheine who have two boys, Rafael and his younger brother Yossel. Terrified of losing their sons through conscription to the Russian army when they reach the age of just 12 years, they desperately have to come up with a plan to try to protect them. But will their plan be successful and what sort of future can their children ever hope to have if they survive ? During the course of this book we are transported to various locations in Latvia and then to Victorian London. This is a part of history I knew little about previously and I was horrified by the fear, poverty and persecution that these people had to live under. The author painted a picture so vivid of life in Latvia and England at this time that I really felt that I was there with the Yacobson family. This is a story that will have you holding your breath, crying, laughing and cheering as you accompany Rafael and Yossel through the many challenges ahead of them. What I particularly liked about this book was how the author made you care about every single character in the book. Each individual is so well drawn that you feel part of the Yacobson family: like you too have met their friends and contacts, that you have walked the streets of Tukum, Riga and London with them . You share in their tragedies and triumphs, their loves and their losses. Mr Assersohn is very skilled in tying up every ‘loose end’. So many books leave you with unanswered questions . This does not happen here and it is so satisfying for the reader. It really is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The structure, pacing, and balance of the novel is spot on and I very much look forward to hearing more from this author in the future. If you are the type of reader that wants an evocative, thought provoking story of sacrifice and fortitude that will stay with you long after the last page then this book is for you! My thanks to the author for allowing me access to a digital ARC in return for an honest review. Georgia Scott
Readers’ comments
Please note these are genuine reviews from readers posted on Amazon or Goodreads or sent directly to the author
Wow! Wow! Wow!
What a fascinating and incredible achievement your book is. I genuinely loved it. Really immersive, moving and well paced story.
Loved the book
It really was fascinating to read and I really liked the characters
Really enjoyed it
I love getting a book where you don’t want to put it down. You look forward to reading time and you’re sad when it ends.
A 5 star recommended read!
Louise Buckley
Great debut novel from Ian Assersohn. Such an emotional story - set in a bygone era but with lessons which sadly still hold true today. A delightfully eloquent narrative reflecting a captivating story. I didn’t want to put the book down and was sorry when I had finished it. A great read - do recommend!
The Lampmaker
Cathy
I really enjoyed this book, following the lives of a Jewish family. The terrible ordeal of Russian conscription young boys
had to face. The journey to England by Rafi and his brother.
How the family were finally reunited.
Look forward to the sequel.
A great read
MIllieA
Heart warming and heart wrenching in equal measure. It was hard to put down. I felt immersed to the point of thinking of the characters as real people and it brought me to tears at times. Would throughly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good well crafted story and excellent historical setting.
Recalling a bygone era
JohnT
This is a splendid book. Although it tells a story of a century ago, the story of a migrant forging a new life remains relevant
One immigrant's struggle to success
Amazon Dave
This is a wonderful read. Ian Assersohn paints such a realisitic picture of the hardships and heartbreak of early 20th cent immigration. He has clearly done a lot of research and his depiction of late Victorian London feels very true to life.
Thought provoking
AliceE
Well written and hard to put down.
A warm and readable historical tale, spanning continents. A tale of two brothers.
Mrs L Thorne
I loved this story and learnt so much about Jewish culture, as well as the history and geography of the time. It’s easy to read and engage with the characters and share their hopes and journeys. I read it whilst away on holiday in Morocco, but I felt I was actually in Riga and Victorian London, it was so clearly written.
There is an easy to use handy glossary of Jewish words at the back, but in fact it’s easy enough to read through and understand easily without having to look up words. The story flows fluently and with warmth.