Monday, June 22, 2009

The Triumph of Deborah: A Review

"The Triumph of Deborah"
By- Eva Etzioni-Halevy
358 Pages
Publisher: Plume (February 26, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0452289068

“The Triumph of Deborah” by Eva Etzioni-Halevy, takes place in Old Testament times, as war is about to break out between Israel and Canaan. Deborah, the beloved judge and prophetess of the Israelites, has asked the mighty warrior, Barak, to assemble an army and lead it against the Canaanites. The war takes place, and from that point, a cast of strong, determined, and impressive characters unfold.

This beautifully written story is centered on three entirely different women and the man they either love or hate. The main characters are Deborah, the prophetess; Asherah, the beautiful daughter of slain King Jabin; Nogah, the illegimate slave daughter of King Jabin; and lastly, the powerful and virile, Barak.

After defeating the Canaanites, Barak falls in love with Asherah, the daughter of the slain king and takes her to his home to make her his wife. Asherah despises her future husband and is determined to find a way back to her people.

Loosely based on the Biblical story of Deborah, this fictional story takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of murderous revenge and unremitting love. Although there are sensuous scenes, the author spins this love story with sensitivity, tenderness, and poetic grace.

The book was mesmerizing, classically melodic, and impassioned. I look forward to reading it again. It's a "keeper."

(Thank you, Eva Etzioni-Halevy, for my review copy.)

6 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

Really does sound interesting.

Carol Murdock said...

LOVE reading about the women of the bible, they were so strong!

Linda said...

Sounds like a good one--might make a good movie as well. There are many Old Testament stories--not well known--that would make good fodder for larger stories--this sounds like one of them.

Barb Davis said...

Angie- It's very good.

Barb Davis said...

Carol- This is something a woman would really enjoy.

Barb Davis said...

Linda- The author has other books that I'll review in the near future.