The Convert

A brilliant reconstruction of an incredible journey across medieval Europe to Egypt, and an untold story of forbidden love.

‘Enthralling… A spectacular tale told with spectacular accomplishment’ Sunday Times, Books of the Year

In the small village in Provence where Stefan Hertmans has made his home, people have long spoken of an ancient pogrom and hidden treasure. Then, at the end of the nineteenth century, an extraordinary collection of Jewish documents was found in a synagogue in Cairo.

Hertmans has based The Convert on these historical sources, tracing the life of a young Christian noblewoman who abandoned everything for the love of a rabbi’s son. In this startlingly contemporary novel, Hertmans follows in her footsteps as the lovers flee through France together, pursued by crusading knights, and recounts her dazzling journey full of love and hardship, courage and hate, as she travels on towards Jerusalem alone.

Jewish National Book Awards 2020 Finalist