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kimreadz's review against another edition
3.0
Good book.....disappointing ending.
I enjoyed this book, though at times it 'dragged' a little. Obviously it is only very loosely based on the Bible. It is an imaginative work. I'd read the other reviews before I read the book and went in expecting to be disappointed. It is true that I did not find it as good as Sarah, but it was still an enjoyable book for me. Though there was some 'racism' in the book, I didn't find this to be as large a factor in the book as I'd been led to believe by the reviews. Zipporah was treated as an outsider by her inlaws, with much jealously displayed, and this was attributed to race, but the bottom line was her sister-in-law and her sister didn't like her; were jealous of her; and racism was as good an excuse as any. They would have found another reason if this one weren't so convenient. The one thing I didn't like in this was how Moses' sibs came off as so petty.
Having said that, I DID enjoy the book right up until the end. It ended much too abrubtly. Not wanting to give away the end,I will only say I found it disappointing. In general, if I don't like the way a book ends, I won't like the book, but I still found this one to be worth reading.
I enjoyed this book, though at times it 'dragged' a little. Obviously it is only very loosely based on the Bible. It is an imaginative work. I'd read the other reviews before I read the book and went in expecting to be disappointed. It is true that I did not find it as good as Sarah, but it was still an enjoyable book for me. Though there was some 'racism' in the book, I didn't find this to be as large a factor in the book as I'd been led to believe by the reviews. Zipporah was treated as an outsider by her inlaws, with much jealously displayed, and this was attributed to race, but the bottom line was her sister-in-law and her sister didn't like her; were jealous of her; and racism was as good an excuse as any. They would have found another reason if this one weren't so convenient. The one thing I didn't like in this was how Moses' sibs came off as so petty.
Having said that, I DID enjoy the book right up until the end. It ended much too abrubtly. Not wanting to give away the end,I will only say I found it disappointing. In general, if I don't like the way a book ends, I won't like the book, but I still found this one to be worth reading.
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
3.0
What an interesting perspective - I would have given this book 4 stars, but I felt the author could have been a little more thorough, or perhaps included more of the biblical perspective in Zipporah's story. However, this book is strictly about Zipporah, so I understand why Halter did what he did...it just felt like there could have been more to her story...
So, basically we know very little about Zipporah from the Bible. Sadly, the Holy Bible does not tell us much about women, which is a tragedy in and of itself. However, she must have been worth mentioning, or else she would not have been put in the Bible at all. She was a "Cushite", which apparently means she had black skin. Not surprisingly, the Hebrews (at least Aaron and Miriam, as well as some of the elders) are portrayed as racist and xenophobic. If one really thinks about it, that description is probably accurate. The text of the Bible talks about the Hebrews being "chosen" by God, and only certain people were chosen...God's love (or more specifically, Yahweh) was not for ALL, but for the people of Israel, namely Abraham and Jacob's descendants. Even Jesus, when he first came to save the world, told a Gentile woman that he didn't come for her, he came for the Jews. She told Jesus she would be willing for "the scraps from the table" (using an interesting metaphor), and Jesus healed her on account of her faith. It wasn't until later (after the resurrection, perhaps?) that the message of Jesus was shared for all, not just the Israelites.
Okay, I digress. Zipporah was an outsider her whole life. How (and why?) did she and her mother end up in Midian? This is never really explained. However, we know that her father, Jethro, adopted her and accepted her, even though she was a foreigner and had black skin. However, some of her adopted sisters and other family members did not accept her, either. Such is her life...she was always an outsider and never thought she would find love.
Enter Moses - they were drawn together from the beginning. I loved watching how their love grew, and thoroughly enjoyed the implication that Zipporah pushed Moses to his destiny. Moses, by all accounts, did not seem worthy. It was also interesting how the author implied that Moses's siblings were weary of Zipporah...one can understand a little of where they were coming from, given the time. However, with our 21st century lens, it's hard to imagine such blatant racism and mistrust. After Moses and Zipporah, along with their children, travel to Egypt, her story is basically over. Upon entering Egypt, Zipporah's story is mostly about how the Israelites mistrust her. She leaves Egypt before Moses approaches Pharaoh...we hear about the wonders and plagues performed by Yahweh second hand (word of mouth by merchants).
How I wish Moses would have listened to the wise words of Jethro after escaping Egypt, but alas he didn't. The story ends a little anti-climatically after Moses travels to the top of Mount Horeb (which I believe is another name for Mount Sinai), and the people of Israel, losing faith, make a golden calf. The author's assertion that the people were delirious from hunger was interesting, and more than likely true. It was also interesting hearing Jethro explain why the former slaves were having such a hard time with freedom...it's easy for us to understand their behavior several millennia after the fact; however, I've never heard it quite so well and simply explained. (Well done, Jethro!)
Simply put, Zipporah was a very interesting and intriguing woman who, like too many people, was unfairly judged simply because she had black skin. Moses, Joshua, and Jethro are portrayed in a positive light, as is Moses's birth mother. Most of the other famous biblical characters are portrayed badly, but there is truth where they are concerned. If you enjoy historical fiction, or like reading stories from the Bible (and don't mind if they don't support what you've been taught), you will enjoy this book.
So, basically we know very little about Zipporah from the Bible. Sadly, the Holy Bible does not tell us much about women, which is a tragedy in and of itself. However, she must have been worth mentioning, or else she would not have been put in the Bible at all. She was a "Cushite", which apparently means she had black skin. Not surprisingly, the Hebrews (at least Aaron and Miriam, as well as some of the elders) are portrayed as racist and xenophobic. If one really thinks about it, that description is probably accurate. The text of the Bible talks about the Hebrews being "chosen" by God, and only certain people were chosen...God's love (or more specifically, Yahweh) was not for ALL, but for the people of Israel, namely Abraham and Jacob's descendants. Even Jesus, when he first came to save the world, told a Gentile woman that he didn't come for her, he came for the Jews. She told Jesus she would be willing for "the scraps from the table" (using an interesting metaphor), and Jesus healed her on account of her faith. It wasn't until later (after the resurrection, perhaps?) that the message of Jesus was shared for all, not just the Israelites.
Okay, I digress. Zipporah was an outsider her whole life. How (and why?) did she and her mother end up in Midian? This is never really explained. However, we know that her father, Jethro, adopted her and accepted her, even though she was a foreigner and had black skin. However, some of her adopted sisters and other family members did not accept her, either. Such is her life...she was always an outsider and never thought she would find love.
Enter Moses - they were drawn together from the beginning. I loved watching how their love grew, and thoroughly enjoyed the implication that Zipporah pushed Moses to his destiny. Moses, by all accounts, did not seem worthy. It was also interesting how the author implied that Moses's siblings were weary of Zipporah...one can understand a little of where they were coming from, given the time. However, with our 21st century lens, it's hard to imagine such blatant racism and mistrust. After Moses and Zipporah, along with their children, travel to Egypt, her story is basically over. Upon entering Egypt, Zipporah's story is mostly about how the Israelites mistrust her. She leaves Egypt before Moses approaches Pharaoh...we hear about the wonders and plagues performed by Yahweh second hand (word of mouth by merchants).
How I wish Moses would have listened to the wise words of Jethro after escaping Egypt, but alas he didn't. The story ends a little anti-climatically after Moses travels to the top of Mount Horeb (which I believe is another name for Mount Sinai), and the people of Israel, losing faith, make a golden calf. The author's assertion that the people were delirious from hunger was interesting, and more than likely true. It was also interesting hearing Jethro explain why the former slaves were having such a hard time with freedom...it's easy for us to understand their behavior several millennia after the fact; however, I've never heard it quite so well and simply explained. (Well done, Jethro!)
Simply put, Zipporah was a very interesting and intriguing woman who, like too many people, was unfairly judged simply because she had black skin. Moses, Joshua, and Jethro are portrayed in a positive light, as is Moses's birth mother. Most of the other famous biblical characters are portrayed badly, but there is truth where they are concerned. If you enjoy historical fiction, or like reading stories from the Bible (and don't mind if they don't support what you've been taught), you will enjoy this book.
amandameowly's review against another edition
3.0
The second book in Marek Halter's Canaan Trilogy,Zipporah, Wife of Moses rings with the same themes as the other books: a strong female character. I, again, enjoyed his strong sense of sensory detail and visual depictions. However, I was disappointed with the plot overall. Certain things pertaining to the Pharaoh and the ending didn't make sense and were outlandish at times.
The literary quality is lacking, from a writer's point of view it's shallow when it comes to explanations and consistency.
The literary quality is lacking, from a writer's point of view it's shallow when it comes to explanations and consistency.
kharmacat's review against another edition
4.0
I would give this 3.5 if I could... The book was very readable, and it's a good story. But I think it could have been much better. The storytelling is only skin-deep, and the character development leaves much to be desired.
selmandt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
abbasaurusrex's review against another edition
1.0
The title says it all. Zipporah is Moses' wife, and nothing more. She has no humanity, no depth, and no thoughts whatsoever that don't relate to her husband. The book is lacking because, at the end of it, we really don't know much more about Zipporah than when we started. We've just heard a very long-winded version of the story laid out in Exodus.
mokey81's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think this story was as strong as the story in Sarah, but I still enjoyed reading about the people from this time period. I have to say, even I was frustrated with Zipporah. I didn't find her some strong, independent woman. I found her frustrating. Poor Moses. The details that are mostly general knowledge (as much as we have), that Halter chose to change...I just wasn't sure of the reason. But, it was a good and pretty easy read.
sometimeskass_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beautiful but the ending was SO upsetting!
saycheeze37's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful, touching read. I love stories that turn iconic figures into real people and in this Zipporah and Moses were as real as it gets. Their relationship filled is trials and triumphs. A touching read.
autumn3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0