The Witch of Cologne

By Tobsha Learner

From the author of the sensational and erotic bestseller Quiver comes an epic love story from the 17th century. this is the story of Ruth bas Elazar Saul, a Jewish midwife who returns to her home of Deutz, outside Cologne in Germany. Imbued with the radical ideas of Spinoza and with the ancient Hebrew Kabbalism, Ruth's revolutionary methods of dealing with illness lead to accusations of witchcraft and imprisonment. Her love affair with Detleff von tennen, a local Catholic bishop, may save her in the short term, but at a time of brutal repression and religious persecution there are few options for those who break taboos. Set against the backdrop of emerging Enlightenment Europe, this is a fast-paced, meticulously researched and beautifully written story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Sep 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9780730491101

Tobsha Learner

Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England and has lived in both Australia and the USA. She is well-known in Australia as a playwright and her first collection of short stories, QUIVER, has sold over 150,000 copies internationally. Her third book - the bestselling THE WITCH OF COLOGNE - was her first work of historical fiction and was followed by another collection of short stories, TREMBLE, and three more novels, SOUL, SPHINX and THE MAP (the last two written as T. S. Learner). Tobsha divides her time between London, Sydney and California. Visit her websites: www.tobshalearner.com or www.tobshaseroticfiction.com

Reviews for The Witch of Cologne

[bookishjoxer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story was fantastic. I loved it. I think the main character was written dull and very boring though.

[magelet33 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing, impossible to put down book. It captures the imagination, and makes you look at history from a different point of view. The characters are alive, their problems real and immediate. If you could only read one book this month, read this one!

[reina10_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. Yes, it is a complex story, but it doesn't take away from the story line. Once you start reading, you will find it difficult to put the book down. Ruth's spirit and strength of character makes this a great read. Living in the 17th century, the main character is a young intelligent Jewish woman named Ruth. Ruth escapes an arranged marriage, lives as a man while studying, and eventually becomes a midwife. As a midwife she combines her medical skills and sacred learning knowledge to provide her patients medical care. Even though she saves lives, this practice backfires when the leader of the Spanish Inquisition accuses her of being a witch. Carlos Vicente Solitario leads the prosecuting party. His hatred for Ruth is fueled by his obsession with Ruth's mother, and his memory of her rejection. During her time in prison, Ruth meets her soul mate Canon Detlef Von Tennen. Their unconventional union causes an outrage. The couple is forced to flee and fight for their beliefs and freedom.The story captivates the imagination. You will have a hard time putting the book down.

[burpykitty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was worried that this book was just a glorified Historical Romance but was pleased that the author was brave enough to write a real and plausible ending.

[jennakim_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

THE WITCH OF COLOGNE by Tobsha Learner thoroughly transported me to a time when the dawning Enlightenment Europe was still dominated by fear and superstition. There are some discrepancies (one reviewer aptly mentioned that though it seems right for Canon Detlef to want the strong-willed and darkly beautiful Jewess, Ruth, we never quite seem to understand what draws the deeply spiritual Ruth to Detlef - make no mistake, the man is charismatic and charming, but would someone like Ruth really let down her guard for him?). Also, the vast number of dramatis personae seems more fitting for a Shakespearean play than a novel, even an epic novel like this one (author Tobsha Learner is also a playwright). Still, the author has her own distinctive voice, and both Christian and Jewish religions are described with equal sympathy. A poignant but weighty historical romance, THE WITCH OF COLOGNE was a satisfying, haunting read. Highly recommended.Jenna Kim

[arctic1stranger · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am into witches, Kabalah, historical fiction, tales of the Inquisition, and I used to live 30 km south of Cologne, so I should have loved this book. I liked it, but it was not flavorful enough for me to love. The impression I got was that the author did not know Ruth well enough to tell her story. She knew the events of her life, but she did not know her life, and because of that, it fell flat, especially toward the end. Why, for instance, was Detlef such a draw for her? How did she handle the disparity between her ideals and her passion? I felt the author ran out of steam at the end, and just pulled strings together to tie it all up.

[lkarr-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was difficult to read. I had to put it down many times as it was just too intense to keep reading. I did finish it and don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, but I didn't like the ending at all.

[jennybeast · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I read about half. I found it depressing, if historically interesting. I just can't put up with the spanish inquisition at the moment, and so I let it go.