In 1492 thousands of people of the Jewish faith were leaving Spain.Inquisitors sought out anyone who might not be Catholic. Those accused could be tortured and burned at the stake.
In this time of uncertainty and terror, fourteen-year-old Maria finds herself alone and homeless. The Church offers Maria the opportunity to work for a wealthy Converso family. But the church also asks something of her in return.Secrets in the House of Delgado confronts issues of faith and bigotry, loyalty and betrayal, and the secrets that may lie in every human heart.
Initially, I wasn't taken by this novel and it sat in my shelf for a couple of months. The only reason I read it was because it was thin enough to bring with me during a work trip recently. Surprisingly, it was rather engrossing.
The story focuses on Maria and her life in the home of the Delgado after the death of her family. The church assigned her to work for the family and kinda of asked her to spy on the family as well. Maria enjoyed her life in the Delgado family as they treated her very well. For a while, Maria was walking the fine line between being a helper and being family and in this vague circumstances, she might have say something she should not to the wrong person.
From there, things escalated to situation rather beyond anyone's control. Although Secrets in the House of Delgado was written for young people, I find it rather suitable for adults too, especially adults.
Having Maria as company certainly allowed time to pass faster and the work trip wasn't so a drag after all.
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