The Vale of Cedars; Or, The Martyr (ePub)

Grace Aguilar (1816-1847) was a prolific English-Jewish writer, remembered for her literary contributions that intertwined her cultural heritage with Victorian values. Aguilar's work often portrayed Jewish history and identity foregrounding the gender perspectives of her time. Born on June 2, 1816, in Hackney, London, she was the eldest child of Sephardic Jewish parents, refugees from the persecutions in Portugal. Aguilar began writing as a teenager, producing essays and poetry before turning to longer fiction works and historical narratives. Her best-known novel, 'The Vale of Cedars; Or, The Martyr' (1850), is set in Spain during the Inquisition and gives voice to the plight of secret Jews. She positioned herself as a mediator between Jews and Christians, advocating for mutual understanding and religious tolerance. Aguilar's voice was akin to that of Scott and Aguilar, infusing her narratives with elements of romance and historical richness. Although her life was cut short at the age of 31, Aguilar's dedication to the preservation of Jewish culture and the empowerment of Jewish women was formidable. Her writings contributed significantly to the acknowledgment of a shared history and literature during a period when such an intersection was scarce. Aguilar's legacy includes not only 'The Vale of Cedars' but also a considerable body of other works such as 'Home Influence' and 'The Women of Israel,' which have ensured her place in the pantheon of Victorian literature.