Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I’m conflicted over this novel. On the one hand, as a history-lover, I felt it had a lot going for it. It was well researched, it brought to life a period of history that was hitherto unknown to me, and it gave me a protagonist who was anticipating the promised Messiah. I love fiction that explores how God’s faithful viewed and interpreted Scripture prior to the New Testament period, and have found this “Silent Years” series all the more interesting for dealing with a period of time not covered in Scripture.
And yet, as a story-lover, I found it somewhat dissatisfying. I had a teacher at school who was known for the unsympathetic mantra “Life’s tough, then you die,” and that felt a little too true in Salome’s case. In all fairness, Angela Hunt didn’t have a lot to work with. Salome married a guy thirteen years younger than her who was nothing to write home about. (Well, maybe he was, but not in a good way!) In fact, with the exception of Salome’s servant Kissa (who is an invention of the author, as far as I can make out), there was virtually no one in Salome’s life who did not cause her grief. Not even her children were an exception, much as she loved them.
Even so, I think I could have endured all of that if there had felt like more of a payoff at the end. Instead, her actual reign as queen is summarised in the short epilogue, so it felt a little like I was cut off right at the moment when I was finally about to share in her achievements. And just when it seemed like she might find some personal joy in her life, she denied herself for reasons I didn’t totally understand—apart from the fact that it would have been altering history to have it happen.
So I guess my recommendation is to consider what you’re looking for when you pick this book up. If it’s a close-up of this period of history, go for it. As a story, however, you may find it less satisfying.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
And yet, as a story-lover, I found it somewhat dissatisfying. I had a teacher at school who was known for the unsympathetic mantra “Life’s tough, then you die,” and that felt a little too true in Salome’s case. In all fairness, Angela Hunt didn’t have a lot to work with. Salome married a guy thirteen years younger than her who was nothing to write home about. (Well, maybe he was, but not in a good way!) In fact, with the exception of Salome’s servant Kissa (who is an invention of the author, as far as I can make out), there was virtually no one in Salome’s life who did not cause her grief. Not even her children were an exception, much as she loved them.
Even so, I think I could have endured all of that if there had felt like more of a payoff at the end. Instead, her actual reign as queen is summarised in the short epilogue, so it felt a little like I was cut off right at the moment when I was finally about to share in her achievements. And just when it seemed like she might find some personal joy in her life, she denied herself for reasons I didn’t totally understand—apart from the fact that it would have been altering history to have it happen.
So I guess my recommendation is to consider what you’re looking for when you pick this book up. If it’s a close-up of this period of history, go for it. As a story, however, you may find it less satisfying.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.