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"The Walls of Cartagena" by Julia Durango

Author:

Julia Durango

Publisher:

Simon & Schuster, New York, 2008

Reviewed by:

Kristine Wildner, Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, Wis.

Validating the inherent value of human life, this relatively short historical fiction novel opens our hearts and minds to a little-known period of world history in 17th Century Cartagena. Fr. Pedro, later canonized as the patron saint of slaves, serves as the historically accurate anchor in the story, while other main characters are also based upon real people. The narrator, Calepino, is born a slave aboard a ship at port; his story is one of privilege, slavery, compassion and suffering. Thanks to the promise of Fr. Pedro to his dying mother, Calepino grows up privileged with one of the priest’s chief benefactors. Within this mining economy, dependent upon slave labor and riddled with disease, Calepino lives an easy life and receives a classical education. Fluent in languages, Calepino reluctantly becomes an interpreter for the priest, as he tends to the physical and spiritual needs of incoming slaves. As he works aboard the slave ships, Calepino’s quick mind and love of literature brings him to the attention of Dr. Lopez, the local physician. Taking him under his wing, Dr. Lopez asks Calepino to work with him within the leper colony. As the story unravels, Dr. Lopez is revealed to be a Jew who has escaped the Inquisition. The excitement builds as the authorities arrest Dr. Lopez, and Calepino must find a way to keep a promise within his own heart to help two slaves escape the brutality.

Based on careful historical research, Durango exposes the best and the worst of the human condition. Interweaving the Inquisition, pirates, lepers, slaves, and mines, the story takes these historical realities down to a personal level within the experiences of 13-year-old Calepino. As he exits his sheltered world of privilege and helps others, his character grows from immature and selfish to brave and compassionate. Scattered illustrations within enhance the story helping the reader to more clearly visualize the characters and setting. Thoroughly researched, the novel grabs the reader’s attention from the beginning and brings us into a world of hope within the midst of suffering. Recommended for students in grades 5-7.