This is the first novel in Maggie Anton's historical trilogy imagining the lives of the daughters of legendary Talmudic scholar Salomon ben Isaac, otherwise known as Rashi. The story opens shortly after the young scholar has left his studies at the academy in Mayence and returned to Troyes to run the family winemaking business. This novel focuses on Joheved, his eldest, who learns the art and business of winemaking, and secretly (with her mother’s disapproval) studies Talmud with her father as he starts his own yeshiva. Dozens of Talmud discussions, about everything from the Sabbath to sex, skillfully engage the reader and expose a thousand years of Jewish thinking in the process. Readers experience the rhythm of these Jewish women’s lives in this extensively researched novel as Joheved begins leading the women’s services at synagogue, negotiates with government officials and merchants on behalf of the family business, is betrothed to and then marries a promising young yeshiva student. "Rashi’s Daughters" brings to life an intimate portrait of medieval French Jewish family life, superstitions, traditions and scholarship, as well as a compelling romance that challenges all the learning and love that Joheved can muster. All is resolved, however, in an ending that satisfies.

I enjoyed the historical facts and picture of Jewish life in France in the 11th century. This story of Rashi's family was a bit slow at first but then I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read Books II and III!