On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, in Ian Assersohn’s The Lampmaker, a Jewish family in Czarist Russia fights to shield their sons from forced conscription, drawing on familial bonds, cultural resilience, and quiet courage to survive oppression, inspired by the author’s grandfather.
The Lampmaker
In his powerful debut novel, The Lampmaker, Ian Assersohn transports readers to late 19th-century Latvia, where one Jewish family’s struggle against the oppressive shadow of Czarist Russia unfolds with heart-wrenching authenticity. Inspired by the life of the author’s grandfather, this deeply personal historical novel vividly captures the sacrifices, resilience, and enduring spirit of Itzhak Yacobson, his wife Scheine, and their two young sons, Rafael and Yossel. Set against a backdrop of political unrest, relentless persecution, and the looming threat of forced conscription into the Russian army at the tender age of 12, The Lampmaker is a story of quiet heroism and unbreakable familial bonds that resonates across generations.
At the heart of the novel is the Yacobson family’s desperate fight to protect their sons from a future not of their choosing. Terrified of losing Rafael and Yossel to the brutal realities of military service, Itzhak and Scheine devise a daring plan to safeguard their boys.
Assersohn masterfully weaves their emotional journey with universal themes of hope, sacrifice, and cultural identity, drawing readers into a world where love becomes the family’s greatest shield. The novel’s emotional authenticity shines through on every page, blending warmth, humor, and fortitude to create characters who feel both relatable and heroic.
What sets The Lampmaker apart is its vivid portrayal of Yiddish culture and Jewish life, not only in the shtetls of Latvia but also in the bustling streets of Victorian London, where the family’s story eventually takes them. Assersohn’s eloquent prose ensures that this tribute to his grandfather transcends the boundaries of a historical account, offering a deeply human connection to a world that feels both distant and strikingly relevant. The novel serves as a poignant reminder of the strength found in cultural resilience and the enduring power of family ties in the face of adversity.
Told with compassion, honesty, and heart, The Lampmaker is an engrossing and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page. Assersohn’s ability to balance the stark realities of Czarist oppression with moments of tenderness and hope makes this novel a standout, striking a profound chord with readers. It is a testament to why stories from the past continue to speak to us today, illuminating the courage required to dream in the face of relentless hardship.
As a debut, The Lampmaker marks Ian Assersohn as an eloquent and resonant new voice in historical fiction. Readers will be left eagerly awaiting more from this talented author, whose storytelling not only honors his grandfather’s legacy but also reminds us of the timeless importance of family and the enduring human spirit. For anyone seeking a moving and evocative tale of sacrifice and fortitude, The Lampmaker is a must-read.
Ian Assersohn
Ian Assersohn, born to Jewish parents of Latvian and Polish descent in North London, studied at Westminster School, the Royal College of Music in London, and the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague. After a 20-year career in IT, he transitioned in 2009 to focus on composing, choral directing, and teaching piano. A prolific creator of short stories, poems, song lyrics, and choral compositions published by Oxford University Press and his own Apple Tree Music, Assersohn debuts as a novelist with The Lampmaker.
Find more from Ian Assersohn now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3GFfbg6
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3GHR3td
Limetree Books: https://www.limetreebooks.net/
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