Nøglen fra Cordoba
Flemming Oppenhagen Behrend’s latest novel, Nøglen fra Cordoba (The Key from Cordoba), is a beautifully written, well-researched tale of history, culture, and resilience. Inspired by A.H. Behrend’s Some Actual Information on the Life of Agent Behrend (1915), this story takes readers on a journey through the life of Joachim, a young Jewish man who arrives in Copenhagen in 1783 with his life about to change forever.
Sent by his mother for an arranged marriage, Joachim’s path is anything but predictable. Through ambition, love, and the trials of an ever-changing world, he rises to prominence as a successful businessman with ties to Denmark’s royal family. The story unfolds against the backdrop of major historical events—like the Battle of Copenhagen and the Jewish riots of 1820—bringing to life not just one man’s journey but an entire era’s struggles and triumphs.
Before The Key from Cordoba, Flemming wrote two deeply personal books that highlight his passion for storytelling and history. His first book, 78RPM, the Record of a Family (2005), offers a glimpse into his parents’ and grandparents’ lives during the turmoil of two world wars. His memoir, Sojourner in a Foreign Land (2019), shares his own journey growing up in Copenhagen and later immigrating to Germany and the United States, where he found a new sense of home.
If you’re drawn to stories that blend personal struggles with historical moments, this book is for you.
