Finished reading:

THE JEWEL TRADER OF PEGU by Jeffrey Hantover, 2008.
An interesting, well written story set in the Southeastern Asian kingdom of Pegu, 1598-99. The main character, Abraham, a Jewish jewel trader from Venice, arrives for a year long stay to trade in precious stones for his uncle's business. It chronicles his thoughts through a series of letters home about this very different culture, beautiful and lush, but with an undercurrent of brutal, swift violence, religion, and traditions that he doesn't understand. Through his native broker, Win, he discovers that because of his exalted position, he is expected to deflower young brides; the whole idea of this creates tensions and problems with his European values and his strong faith; under pressure, he submits to the local tradition. But after a tragedy befalls one bride, Mya, his life changes in a major way that he would never have expected, with far-reaching consequences. An excellent book for a discussion of multicultural values, Europeans in other cultures, and faith.