Der Jude der Kaiserin – Vladimir Vertlib presents his new novel

Vienna, circa 1670: Baroque splendour and abject poverty characterise the city. Emperor Leopold I is not only struggling to fund his military campaigns; he also urgently needs an heir to the throne. Only the personal physician, Pedro de Rojas, can help the desperate Empress Margarita Teresa. However, he harbours a dangerous secret: he is a Spanish converso, a converted Jew who practises his faith in secret. The Catholic Empress wants to drive the Jews out of the city; she considers them the root of all evil. Will Don Pedro and his lover, the midwife Esther, succeed in preventing this? Vladimir Vertlib blends comedy and drama into a grand novel about religious strife and class snobbery, slander, intrigue and betrayal, but also love, loyalty and deep friendship.
Vladimir Vertlib was born in Leningrad in 1966. In 1971, his family emigrated to Israel, then to Italy, the Netherlands and the USA, before settling in Austria in 1981. He has lived as a writer in Salzburg and Vienna since 1993. His work includes novels, short stories, essays and numerous articles. In 2025, Vertlib was awarded the Salzburg Business Book Prize. Residenz Verlag has published ‘Zebra im Krieg’ (2022), ‘Heimreise’ (2024) and ‘Der Jude der Kaiserin’ (2025).

Participation in this event is free of charge!