The Coffee Trader

The Coffee Trader is a 2003 historical novel by American author David Liss. Set in Amsterdam in 1659, the story centers around Miguel Lienzo, a Portuguese Jewish merchant, and his foray into the trade of coffee, a new commodity on the market. The story surveys the everyday dealings at the Amsterdam Exchange at the middle of the 17th century and provides perspective on the various cultures (Dutch, Portuguese) and religions (Christian, Jewish) practiced by the city’s inhabitants.

Liss is the author of several historical mystery novels, including A Conspiracy of Paper, which won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. In A Conspiracy, the character of Miguel Lienzo appears as the great-uncle of the protagonist, Benjamin Weaver. The Coffee Trader is a national best seller and a book club favorite.

Plot Summary

Miguel Lienzo is a Portuguese Jew who escapes the Inquisition to begin a new life as a trader in Amsterdam’s bustling commercial center. In this city, fortunes are won and lost during the risky business deals that occur daily on the world’s first commodities market, the Amsterdam Exchange.

At the outset of the novel, Miguel has recently experienced a major setback in his sugar trade and is worried that he will not be able to pay his debts at the end of the month. His friend Geertruid, a Dutch widow, introduces him to a new drink made with coffee berries. She believes coffee will be highly profitable and urges Miguel to enter into trade with her. Miguel agrees, with reservations.

Due to his financial downturn, Miguel is forced to lodge with his brother Daniel and his pregnant wife Hannah, who is secretly attracted to Miguel. Daniel enjoys a friendship with Solomon Parido, a prominent member of the Ma’amad, the Jewish ruling council. Miguel had a falling out with Parido after breaking an engagement with his daughter.

Hannah, who was raised Catholic, is encouraged by her maid Annetje to attend Catholic Mass in secret. Hannah finds this familiarity comforting at first, but she fears what will happen if she is discovered. The Ma’amad enforces strict observance of Jewish law and punishes those who disobey with excommunication.

One man who was permanently excommunicated from the Jewish community is Alonzo Alferonda. Through the “Factual and Revealing Memoirs of Alonzo Alferonda,” he insists that Parido treated him unjustly by making him an outcast. As revenge, and to make a profit for himself, Alferonda works behind the scenes to manipulate Miguel’s coffee scheme.

Unaware of Alferonda’s scheming, Miguel puts his own plans into action, encountering many obstacles along the way. One obstacle is Joachim Waagenaar, a down-on-his-luck Dutch trader who blames Miguel for his misfortune and continually makes demands and threats. Another conflict arises in the form of his own brother Daniel, who discourages Miguel from involvement in the coffee trade. Parido offers a truce and gives Miguel a friendly trading tip, but Miguel remains suspicious of his motives. Eventually Miguel begins to mistrust everyone involved in the deal, including his partner Geertruid, whom he believes works for Parido.

The mutual attraction between Hannah and Miguel increases, as does Hannah’s passion for coffee. Hannah attempts to strengthen her bond with Miguel by revealing to him her secret about attending church. He is at first enraged but cannot deny his feelings for her.

At the exchange on the day of his coffee trade, Miguel makes a wager against Parido, who loses significantly. Still believing that Geertruid plotted against him, Miguel organizes a separate scheme that successfully bankrupts her. Too late, Miguel learns that both Geertruid and Parido were sincere in their business dealings with him.

Hannah falsely tells Daniel that Miguel is the father of her unborn child. Though distraught, Daniel grants Hannah a divorce so she can marry Miguel. Though he regrets his treatment of Geertruid and Parido, Miguel finds contentment in his new business success, his new wife Hannah, and their sons.