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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Actual rating: 2.5/3 stars. Originally posted here on my blog. May contain spoilers***
Putting aside the fact that I rather enjoy stories, which take well-known myths or pieces of history and adds a bit of content and character to the legends, so I commend the author for doing that with the story of Delilah & Samson for attempting to bring history and personality to these two characters. Based off of what I know and understand about their connection, Delilah is believed to have been heartless and money-driven Philistine, (perhaps, even a Israeli who betrayed Samson for money) who tricked Samson into falling for her only to betray him. Where as Samson is portrayed as this powerful, physical and influential, protector/savior for the Israeli people who fell in love with a beautiful trickster.
However, Angela Hunt depicts the story of two young individuals from two different worlds are forced into some of the most unpredictable of circumstances; particularly, Delilah, in this case.
With that being said, I gave this book 3-stars based off the lack of progressive growth among the main characters, the decision to link Delilah’s lineage to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia and the sluggish pacing of the narrative which did not always grab or hold my attention.
Regrettably, it seemed as though it was longer than it needed to be. It also did not help the fact that for most of the book both Samson and Delilah’s personalities remain consistently the same, despite the passage of time: naive and passive, respectfully. It was bothersome to continuously watch Samson breeze past warnings and times for caution and to see Delilah’s character be passively lead and directed from one place to another, from Egypt to Gaza and to the Valley of Sorek etc. and never seem to be present.
Moreover, while some will object to Delilah’s lineage being connected to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia due to believability and accurately, my issue with it was on a different scale. In fact, I loved the idea. It was another reason I was interested in reading this book. Delilah in Hebrew is after all Layla, meaning darkness (be it a play or words or not in correlation to the woman’s skin tone). Whats more, research has proven that over and over and over again, Delilah’s background, lineage and original allegiance ties were never made clear. She seemed to be a “nobody.”
Subsequently, this brings the focus to one of the topics I tussled with while reading this book. With the amount of misogyny/ patriarchal disadvantages the women in this novel (and time period) faced, I felt it was entirely possible that the threat of slavery was something that could have been left out. As a result, it made me distrust the author's sincerity and treatment of Delilah's character.
As her ethic and religious background are never stated/clarified—though in all sincerity, she could have easily have been a Philistine—it begs the question, did the author decide to make Delilah (born in Egypt) of Ethiopian/Greek decent simply to play up (or exploit) the slavery plot point/possibility? After suffering at the hands of her stepbrother, Achish and the power he gained with the death of his father, and the loss of her mother, Delilah's story is arguably challenging/difficult enough and lacked the need for that aspect in the narrative.
I also had an issue with the author's push to make Delilah's character a "nobody." She grew up in Egypt; her parents were of Cush and Crete (Cretan) decent. That does not make her a nothing or nobody and I felt that the author lost sight of that.
This book was extremely well researched and it is incredibly clear that the author’s goal with this story was to humanize both Delilah and Samson and emulate that their story together may not have been as straightforward or as black and white as it is commonly believed. Overall, there is a love and empathetic connection between them in this book, but the story, in my opinion, was not something to rave about.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Putting aside the fact that I rather enjoy stories, which take well-known myths or pieces of history and adds a bit of content and character to the legends, so I commend the author for doing that with the story of Delilah & Samson for attempting to bring history and personality to these two characters. Based off of what I know and understand about their connection, Delilah is believed to have been heartless and money-driven Philistine, (perhaps, even a Israeli who betrayed Samson for money) who tricked Samson into falling for her only to betray him. Where as Samson is portrayed as this powerful, physical and influential, protector/savior for the Israeli people who fell in love with a beautiful trickster.
However, Angela Hunt depicts the story of two young individuals from two different worlds are forced into some of the most unpredictable of circumstances; particularly, Delilah, in this case.
With that being said, I gave this book 3-stars based off the lack of progressive growth among the main characters, the decision to link Delilah’s lineage to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia and the sluggish pacing of the narrative which did not always grab or hold my attention.
Regrettably, it seemed as though it was longer than it needed to be. It also did not help the fact that for most of the book both Samson and Delilah’s personalities remain consistently the same, despite the passage of time: naive and passive, respectfully. It was bothersome to continuously watch Samson breeze past warnings and times for caution and to see Delilah’s character be passively lead and directed from one place to another, from Egypt to Gaza and to the Valley of Sorek etc. and never seem to be present.
Moreover, while some will object to Delilah’s lineage being connected to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia due to believability and accurately, my issue with it was on a different scale. In fact, I loved the idea. It was another reason I was interested in reading this book. Delilah in Hebrew is after all Layla, meaning darkness (be it a play or words or not in correlation to the woman’s skin tone). Whats more, research has proven that over and over and over again, Delilah’s background, lineage and original allegiance ties were never made clear. She seemed to be a “nobody.”
Subsequently, this brings the focus to one of the topics I tussled with while reading this book. With the amount of misogyny/ patriarchal disadvantages the women in this novel (and time period) faced, I felt it was entirely possible that the threat of slavery was something that could have been left out. As a result, it made me distrust the author's sincerity and treatment of Delilah's character.
As her ethic and religious background are never stated/clarified—though in all sincerity, she could have easily have been a Philistine—it begs the question, did the author decide to make Delilah (born in Egypt) of Ethiopian/Greek decent simply to play up (or exploit) the slavery plot point/possibility? After suffering at the hands of her stepbrother, Achish and the power he gained with the death of his father, and the loss of her mother, Delilah's story is arguably challenging/difficult enough and lacked the need for that aspect in the narrative.
I also had an issue with the author's push to make Delilah's character a "nobody." She grew up in Egypt; her parents were of Cush and Crete (Cretan) decent. That does not make her a nothing or nobody and I felt that the author lost sight of that.
This book was extremely well researched and it is incredibly clear that the author’s goal with this story was to humanize both Delilah and Samson and emulate that their story together may not have been as straightforward or as black and white as it is commonly believed. Overall, there is a love and empathetic connection between them in this book, but the story, in my opinion, was not something to rave about.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sampson and Delilah. Even now her name is a bad girl name. What could possibly motivate a woman to seduce a man and then eventually cause his death? The scripture verses only go so far. Angela Hunt gives us a possible perspective on this infamous woman from the Bible.
In this book, we meet Delilah, a woman who's step father has passed. She and her mother are now under the dictatorship of her step-brother. This is life changing for her. Meanwhile, Sampson, when he wasn't doing acts of great renowned, was an "ordinary" guy with a calling on his life. He longed for what most men do, a wife and kids. Delilah is not from his linage. He is a Nazarite, sworn to serve God and follow some set rules. She is an exotic, beautiful pagan Egyptian. These opposites are not just attracted, but deadly.
Told from both "sides" of the story, this book was well interwoven with scripture and rich in the settings of the time. I enjoyed it.
My copy came from Net Galley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
In this book, we meet Delilah, a woman who's step father has passed. She and her mother are now under the dictatorship of her step-brother. This is life changing for her. Meanwhile, Sampson, when he wasn't doing acts of great renowned, was an "ordinary" guy with a calling on his life. He longed for what most men do, a wife and kids. Delilah is not from his linage. He is a Nazarite, sworn to serve God and follow some set rules. She is an exotic, beautiful pagan Egyptian. These opposites are not just attracted, but deadly.
Told from both "sides" of the story, this book was well interwoven with scripture and rich in the settings of the time. I enjoyed it.
My copy came from Net Galley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
I was curious to see the spin that Hunt would put on the story of Delilah. In every interpretation of Samson's story that I've heard, Delilah is portrayed as the villain, not the good guy. Hunt worked hard to make Delilah a likable character. But in the end, Delilah's choices just didn't make sense to me. She was being stupid. Either way, not a fan
I really am not sure how I feel about this book. It was a fantastic story, but I'm not 100% sure how I feel about making Delilah into a victim of circumstances. She was in love with Samson but still betrayed him? She could have just left... Taken Samson and left the area. Said "oh, btw, there are people who want you dead that are threatening me, so we should git." But nope. Her love for Samson really made her motivations... lacking.
I did enjoy the biblical references to the book of Judges, but Delilah should have been someone who was using Samson and not just a girl who fell in love with him.
I did enjoy the biblical references to the book of Judges, but Delilah should have been someone who was using Samson and not just a girl who fell in love with him.
2.5 Stars
I've enjoyed this series up until now. This story just did not resonate with me. There was a severe lack of joy as Delilah's every thought was one of bitterness and revenge.
I've enjoyed this series up until now. This story just did not resonate with me. There was a severe lack of joy as Delilah's every thought was one of bitterness and revenge.
This book wasn't terrible, but it wasn't fantastic. Typically if I really don't like a book, I opt not to finish it or review, so at least this one I did finish. However, I have read books by other authors who've written books based on Biblical stories that I've enjoyed much more than this. The main reason I wasn't a huge fan was because I found myself doubting a lot of the artistic liberties that were taken with the story and characters. Granted, I know we don't get all the details in the Bible so somethings do need to be made up, to a point, but I just felt myself being very disconnected from this story and what I know of it. Again, it's not terrible, but personally it wasn't really my type of book.
If you think you know the story of Samson and Delilah, read this book and think again. Despite being well acquainted with the Biblical account, I put this book down at the end (after dabbing at my eyes!) and thought, “Wow. I did not see that story coming.” (And I actually think the publisher's description gives a misleading impression of Delilah's character as it is presented in this book). Angela Hunt has looked beyond the scheming temptress and the strongman weakened by a woman’s wiles, to create eminently human – and relatable – characters who, despite their flaws, were used by God to work His will.
The story opens several years prior to Samson and Delilah’s relationship. Having grown up in Egypt as the daughter of a free woman of Cush and a Cretan sailor, seventeen-year-old Delilah is adjusting to life in Philistia following her mother’s recent marriage to a Philistine businessman. Meanwhile, Samson is arranging his marriage to a young woman of Timnah, against the advice of his parents, and his companion, Rei.
Right here, in these opening scenes, we get a glimpse of the vulnerability that drives these characters, and will eventually draw them together: a deep-seated sense of not truly belonging; of being alien. For Delilah, this comes from being a ‘mixed creature’ (to use her own words) of dark colouring. She has no living kin but her mother, and identifies with no single nation, tribe, or religion. For Samson, it is the mixed blessing of being chosen by God and set apart from birth. He is a judge of Israel, and a ‘freak’ (again, his words). And he is lonely.
When Delilah’s step-father dies unexpectedly, she and her mother find themselves at the mercy of their step-brother and step-son, Achish – a man for whom ‘mercy’ is a foreign concept. Delilah’s mother is sold into slavery, while Delilah remains in Achish’s household, subject to an even worse fate. After enduring for two months, she escapes, determined to make a life for herself as a free woman so that she can buy her mother out of slavery.
Delilah's journey takes her through Timnah, coinciding with Samson’s wedding, and on to the Valley of Sorek, to a widow who makes her living weaving fine textiles. The widow agrees to take her in, teaching her the weaving trade from the ground up. Literally. But all the while, Delilah yearns to revenge herself upon Achish, who is rapidly rising in prominence in Philistia. And who better to help exact this revenge but Samson, strongman and judge of Israel?
I won’t say any more and spoil the story, because even if you know the basics, this is a surprising and engrossing retelling. I loved that Samson and Delilah were portrayed so differently to the common perception; and convincingly so, thanks to the attention Hunt gave to the characters' motivations, circumstances, and emotional vulnerabilities. Most surprising of all, for me, was how uplifting the ending was, in spite of the circumstances. It showed Samson as a genuine, if imperfect, man of faith, and provided a beautiful picture of God’s mercy and grace to sinners.
This is a definite keeper for my Biblical fiction shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
The story opens several years prior to Samson and Delilah’s relationship. Having grown up in Egypt as the daughter of a free woman of Cush and a Cretan sailor, seventeen-year-old Delilah is adjusting to life in Philistia following her mother’s recent marriage to a Philistine businessman. Meanwhile, Samson is arranging his marriage to a young woman of Timnah, against the advice of his parents, and his companion, Rei.
Right here, in these opening scenes, we get a glimpse of the vulnerability that drives these characters, and will eventually draw them together: a deep-seated sense of not truly belonging; of being alien. For Delilah, this comes from being a ‘mixed creature’ (to use her own words) of dark colouring. She has no living kin but her mother, and identifies with no single nation, tribe, or religion. For Samson, it is the mixed blessing of being chosen by God and set apart from birth. He is a judge of Israel, and a ‘freak’ (again, his words). And he is lonely.
When Delilah’s step-father dies unexpectedly, she and her mother find themselves at the mercy of their step-brother and step-son, Achish – a man for whom ‘mercy’ is a foreign concept. Delilah’s mother is sold into slavery, while Delilah remains in Achish’s household, subject to an even worse fate. After enduring for two months, she escapes, determined to make a life for herself as a free woman so that she can buy her mother out of slavery.
Delilah's journey takes her through Timnah, coinciding with Samson’s wedding, and on to the Valley of Sorek, to a widow who makes her living weaving fine textiles. The widow agrees to take her in, teaching her the weaving trade from the ground up. Literally. But all the while, Delilah yearns to revenge herself upon Achish, who is rapidly rising in prominence in Philistia. And who better to help exact this revenge but Samson, strongman and judge of Israel?
I won’t say any more and spoil the story, because even if you know the basics, this is a surprising and engrossing retelling. I loved that Samson and Delilah were portrayed so differently to the common perception; and convincingly so, thanks to the attention Hunt gave to the characters' motivations, circumstances, and emotional vulnerabilities. Most surprising of all, for me, was how uplifting the ending was, in spite of the circumstances. It showed Samson as a genuine, if imperfect, man of faith, and provided a beautiful picture of God’s mercy and grace to sinners.
This is a definite keeper for my Biblical fiction shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.