Kantika Summary, Characters and Themes
Kantika, a 2023 historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Graver, traces the incredible journey of Rebecca Cohen, a Sephardic Jewish woman navigating the turbulent early 20th century. Spanning multiple countries and eras, the story weaves themes of identity, resilience, and displacement, as Rebecca and her family confront war, antisemitism, and personal loss.
Graver paints a vivid portrait of cultural heritage, familial bonds, and the power of perseverance as Rebecca carves out a life in the face of constant upheaval. At its heart, Kantika is a rich exploration of survival, belonging, and the will to thrive across continents and generations.
Summary
In 1902, Rebecca Cohen is born into a prosperous Sephardic Jewish family in Constantinople, part of the Ottoman Empire. Her father, Alberto, runs a successful textile business, while her mother, Sultana, is known for her charitable work in the local community.
Rebecca is the second of six children and spends much of her childhood joyfully creating, sewing, and singing alongside her close friend Lika, who bears such a resemblance to her that people often mistake them for sisters.
Rebecca and Lika even share a connection with Alberto’s first wife, Djentil Nahon, visiting her for stories, though they later withdraw from her due to her increasing emotional dependency on them.
The outbreak of World War I shatters Rebecca’s carefree childhood. Her best friend Lika emigrates to America with her family, and the two girls are separated forever.
Meanwhile, the Cohen family faces financial hardships as the political turmoil of the war and mismanagement by Alberto leads to their downfall. In 1924, Alberto relocates the family to Barcelona, accepting a job as the caretaker of a small synagogue.
His bitterness over their diminished status causes tension within the family, though he eventually seeks to make amends, especially when he learns that his daughter Corinne is expecting his first grandchild.
Life in Spain is far from easy. Despite Spain’s initial welcome to Sephardic Jews, the family faces growing antisemitism.
Rebecca takes on a false identity to find work and secretly saves her earnings to open her own business. At 23, she marries Luis Baruch, a Jewish man older than her by several years.
The marriage is not what she expected, as Luis suffers from mental impairments due to mustard gas exposure during World War I. Left to raise their two sons, David and Alberto, Rebecca learns to be both mother and breadwinner, growing her dressmaking business to support her family.
When Luis unexpectedly dies, Rebecca travels to Turkey to retrieve his body but realizes she no longer belongs there and returns to Barcelona with her children.
After Lika’s death, Rebecca is introduced to Sam Levy, Lika’s widower, as a potential match. In 1934, Rebecca moves to America after marrying Sam in Cuba, seeking safety from Europe’s growing unrest.
Life in New York brings new challenges, including raising Luna, Sam’s daughter who has cerebral palsy. Through Rebecca’s persistence, Luna gains confidence and physical strength.
Rebecca is eventually able to reunite with her sons, bringing them to New York just before the Spanish Civil War and intensifying antisemitism in Spain.
As World War II begins, Rebecca and Sam relocate to Cambria Heights. Together, they build a new life, with Rebecca opening a thriving fashion business and helping to establish a synagogue.
Their family expands, with Rebecca and Sam having three children, and Luna attending a specialized school where she meets her future husband. Despite continued tragedies—Rebecca loses both parents and her son David survives a near-death experience in the Pacific during the war—Rebecca perseveres.
In 1950, Rebecca’s resilience and joy shine through when she sings in Ladino at a local event, celebrating her heritage and the new life she has built.
Characters
Rebecca Cohen
Rebecca is the central character of Kantika, whose life reflects the turbulent historical events that shape her world. Born into a prosperous Sephardic Jewish family in Constantinople, her early years are marked by creativity and joy, engaging in activities such as singing, drawing, and sewing.
However, her idyllic childhood is interrupted by the upheavals of World War I, which forces her family to leave their home and fortune behind. As she grows older, Rebecca’s resilience and determination become defining traits.
Her first marriage to Luis Baruch brings disappointment as she learns of his mental incapacity, but she shoulders the responsibility of raising her two sons independently after his death. Later, she remarries Sam Levy, a widower, and moves to America, where she continues to show perseverance, working tirelessly to improve the lives of her stepdaughter, Luna, and her own children.
Rebecca’s adaptability, strength, and compassion define her journey from Constantinople to Spain and finally to the United States. She evolves from a spirited child into a strong-willed matriarch who endures immense personal loss but ultimately finds joy and fulfillment through her family and career.
Rebecca’s artistic talents are manifested in her dressmaking business, allowing her to maintain a sense of autonomy and creativity throughout the narrative.
Alberto Cohen
Alberto is Rebecca’s father, a once-successful textile factory owner in Constantinople whose life spirals after the onset of political instability. His character is marked by a sense of loss and disillusionment, particularly after he is forced to uproot his family to Spain due to dwindling fortunes.
Once a proud and wealthy man, his transition to a caretaker role at a synagogue in Barcelona reflects his inner defeat and growing bitterness. However, he is not entirely lost to despair.
After learning that his eldest daughter, Corinne, is pregnant, Alberto finds a moment of reconciliation and resolves to better himself. Yet, his life continues to be one of hardship, marked by increasing antisemitism and financial struggles in Spain.
His tragic death from malnutrition following the attack on the synagogue he cared for epitomizes the tragic end of a man who once had much but lost it all due to the forces of history.
Sultana Cohen
Sultana, Rebecca’s mother, is portrayed as a compassionate woman dedicated to charitable work within her community. She provides emotional strength to the family, particularly as they face the hardships of displacement and economic decline.
Though not as prominent as some other characters, her role as a supportive and nurturing figure is critical. Sultana remains in the background, often bearing the weight of the family’s struggles silently.
Her death near the end of the novel is a poignant moment. Sultana’s burial in a different cemetery from her husband due to the chaos of war highlights the fragmentation that war brings to families, both geographically and emotionally.
Her delayed immigration approval after her death serves as a tragic reminder of the bureaucratic indifference and displacement that so many Jewish families experienced during this era.
Luis Baruch
Luis is Rebecca’s first husband, a man introduced as one of the few available Jewish bachelors in Barcelona. His character is tragic; the war has left him mentally incapacitated due to exposure to mustard gas.
Despite his good intentions, Luis is more of a burden than a partner to Rebecca, as he is unable to engage fully in family life or provide for their future. His frequent travels and eventual death leave Rebecca as a widow with two sons, forcing her to develop even greater independence.
Luis’s character functions as a narrative device that emphasizes Rebecca’s resilience and ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. His tragic fate reflects the widespread destruction and loss wrought by World War I.
Sam Levy
Sam Levy, Rebecca’s second husband and the widower of her childhood best friend, Lika, plays an essential role in her later life. Sam is portrayed as a kind and reliable man who provides Rebecca with a second chance at companionship and family life.
Their marriage is not only practical—allowing Rebecca to escape rising antisemitism in Europe—but also one of mutual affection. Sam’s character brings a sense of stability to Rebecca’s tumultuous life.
He is a man who, like Rebecca, has experienced loss, but he remains optimistic and hard-working, opening his own store in the United States. His supportive role, especially in Rebecca’s efforts to care for Luna and to bring her sons over from Spain, further solidifies him as a stabilizing force in her life.
Luna Levy
Luna is Sam Levy’s daughter from his first marriage, and she presents one of the most moving subplots in the novel. Born with cerebral palsy, Luna initially struggles with her disability, but under Rebecca’s care, she begins to gain control over her body and develop greater confidence.
Luna’s character demonstrates the intersection of disability and resilience, as she works hard to overcome societal and personal limitations. Her development into a confident young woman who eventually marries and starts her own family highlights the positive impact that Rebecca has on those around her.
Luna’s storyline is a testament to the transformative power of love and support. Rebecca’s encouragement helps her grow into an independent and accomplished person.
Corinne Cohen
Corinne is Rebecca’s older sister, and while not a central character, she plays a significant role in Rebecca’s life. It is Corinne who suggests that Rebecca marry Sam as a way to secure a future in America.
Corinne’s character represents the pragmatic and sometimes harsh decisions that many Jewish families had to make during times of crisis. Her suggestion reflects the broader theme of survival, as marrying for security becomes a necessity rather than a romantic choice.
Corinne’s character embodies the practical concerns of Jewish families facing rising antisemitism and instability in Europe during the early 20th century.
David and Alberto (Al) Baruch
David and Alberto (Al) are Rebecca’s sons from her first marriage to Luis Baruch. Both children are raised primarily by Rebecca, as their father is often absent due to his travels and eventual death.
David’s traumatic experience during World War II, particularly his near-death on the USS Franklin, marks a significant turning point in his life. His loss of faith after surviving the bombing highlights the psychological toll of war on individuals.
Al, though less developed as a character than his brother, follows a similar trajectory of displacement, being brought over to the United States by Rebecca after years of separation. Both sons symbolize the generational impact of war, immigration, and resilience within the Sephardic Jewish community.
Djentil Nahon
Djentil, Alberto’s first wife, is a minor but poignant character in Rebecca’s early life. Unable to bear children, Djentil is divorced by Alberto, a decision that leaves her isolated and lonely.
Rebecca and her friend Lika initially enjoy visiting Djentil, listening to her stories, but they eventually grow uncomfortable with her increasing desperation for their company. Djentil’s character represents the societal pressures on women, especially in traditional communities, where infertility could lead to social and familial exclusion.
Her emotional isolation serves as a dark undercurrent in the otherwise lively and vibrant family life of the Cohens.
Lika
Lika, Rebecca’s childhood best friend, is a significant figure in her early life. Though Lika’s presence in the story is short-lived—she emigrates to the United States during World War I and never reconnects with Rebecca—the bond they shared during their childhood remains a poignant memory for Rebecca.
Lika’s death and the subsequent marriage of Rebecca to Lika’s widower, Sam, bring Lika’s influence full circle in Rebecca’s life. Although Lika is no longer present, her memory and the shared experiences with Rebecca underscore the themes of loss, friendship, and the enduring connections between people across time and distance.
Themes
The Complicated Nature of Identity and Belonging in a Shifting World
One of the most profound lessons in Kantika is the complex nature of identity and belonging, particularly for those forced to navigate multiple cultures, religions, and languages. Rebecca’s journey from Constantinople to Spain and then to the United States is filled with an ongoing tension between preserving her Sephardic Jewish heritage and adapting to the varying demands of the societies in which she lives.
Whether concealing her religion in Spain to avoid antisemitic persecution or assimilating into American society in New York, Rebecca must continuously negotiate the lines between her Jewish identity and the cultural expectations of her new environments.
This theme is made even more difficult by the fact that her native tongue, Ladino, is a dying language that she clings to as a symbol of her roots, even as the world around her changes. The novel teaches us that identity is fluid and often requires painful compromises, especially when survival itself depends on adapting to new cultural norms without abandoning one’s sense of self.
The Intergenerational Impact of War and Political Upheaval on Personal Aspirations and Familial Bonds
Rebecca’s life is deeply affected by the political turmoil that surrounds her, from World War I in her youth to the Spanish Civil War and World War II in her later years. These external forces shape not only her personal aspirations but also the trajectory of her family’s life.
Her father, Alberto, begins as a wealthy textile merchant in Constantinople, but the instability caused by war and political mismanagement forces the family into poverty and exile. His inability to cope with this loss has a ripple effect on his children, and his eventual demise from malnutrition in Spain illustrates how war can strip individuals of both their financial stability and their dignity.
Rebecca’s sons are similarly marked by war, particularly David, whose near-death experience on the USS Franklin during World War II leads him to lose his faith in God. The novel demonstrates how political upheaval not only destroys economies and nations but also has a far-reaching, often irreparable impact on personal relationships and individual futures, with each generation carrying the scars of conflict.
The Resilience of Women in the Face of Societal Expectations, Familial Responsibilities, and Personal Tragedy
Throughout Kantika, Rebecca is faced with numerous challenges, from the collapse of her family’s fortunes to the death of her first husband and the strain of raising her children in a world filled with prejudice. Despite these adversities, Rebecca continually demonstrates resilience, refusing to be defined by the limitations imposed upon her by society.
Whether it is establishing her own dressmaking business in Spain under an assumed identity or moving to the United States to marry Sam, Rebecca constantly reinvents herself, adapting to changing circumstances without surrendering her ambition or self-worth. This theme is further emphasized through her relationship with Luna, Sam’s daughter, who has cerebral palsy. Rebecca’s determination to help Luna gain control over her body and build self-confidence reveals her belief in the importance of overcoming societal and physical limitations.
Ultimately, the novel highlights the ways in which women, particularly those in marginalized communities, must constantly navigate the intersections of personal tragedy, societal expectation, and familial duty, yet remain resilient in their pursuit of a better life.
The Fragile Nature of Cultural and Religious Preservation Amidst Migration and Displacement
Another significant lesson in the novel is the fragility of cultural and religious preservation when confronted with displacement and migration. Rebecca’s journey from Constantinople to Spain and then the United States mirrors the broader experience of many Jewish families during the early 20th century, as they were forced to leave their homes due to political instability and persecution.
Despite these pressures, Rebecca continually seeks to preserve her Sephardic Jewish heritage, whether through her commitment to speaking Ladino or by helping to establish a synagogue in her new community. However, the novel also shows how difficult this preservation can be, particularly as each new generation becomes further removed from their ancestral roots.
Rebecca’s children, particularly David and Al, are shaped by their experiences in Spain and America, and they do not share the same deep connection to their Jewish identity as their mother. The novel teaches us that while cultural and religious identity is deeply meaningful, it is also fragile and vulnerable to the forces of assimilation and displacement. Each generation must make deliberate efforts to maintain their heritage in a rapidly changing world.
The Emotional and Psychological Cost of Survival in the Face of Loss and Disconnection from One’s Homeland
At the heart of Kantika lies the theme of survival, not just in terms of physical endurance but in the emotional and psychological toll that comes with disconnection from one’s homeland and the loss of loved ones. For Rebecca, the constant displacement—from Constantinople to Spain to America—takes an emotional toll, as she repeatedly has to leave behind the people and places that have shaped her identity.
The loss of her best friend, Lika, the death of her first husband, Luis, and the eventual deaths of both her parents are all compounded by the fact that Rebecca is often geographically and emotionally distant from these loved ones when they pass. While she continually demonstrates strength in the face of these losses, the novel makes clear that survival is not without its costs.
Rebecca is forced to suppress her own grief and pain in order to continue providing for her children and build a future for her family in the United States. The novel reveals the emotional complexities of survival, illustrating how the ability to endure often comes with an internal burden of unresolved grief and a profound sense of disconnection from one’s past.