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livannsams's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at page 214
Some will say it’s along the lines of The Red Tent — they couldn’t be more wrong.
I got this book as a gift for my college graduation from my grandmother, with a lovely little message from her on the inside cover, so I was excited to read it. However, it really just felt very contrived and, as a Jewish reader, from a very modern and Christian lens.
My biggest, most immediate frustration I had was fact that Haman’s symbol was the swastika. Yes, that symbol was used to mark the regime and individuals that brought about a genocide with the Shoah, but before that it was used in other cultures and religions as a positive sign. In Hinduism it symbolizes prosperity and good luck. At the time that this would have happened, it would have been used in such ways, not as a symbol for hate like it became in the 30’s and now.
In relation and juxtaposition, Hadassah’s necklace of the Magen David is also not historically accurate. Yes, it is a symbol for the Jewish community that has existed for centuries, but it existed in a much different way in that time an culture as opposed to modern day. The modern use of the Star of David as symbol for all Jews began in the 17th century in Prague—up until then, it was used mainly to represent priests and religious aspects of Judaism specifically, not just Am Israel itself. So, Hadassah would not have had such a pendant.
Then there’s the whole issue of HaShem’s name. The author is careful to write “G-d,” but has no issue writing out the four letters of the name. Hypocritical, in my opinion, as Jews don’t speak the name, much less write it in a document that can be defiled easily.
There really are so many things I had issues with. The writing style was slow. The addition of the modern storyline is just incredibly Christian to me because our (or at least my view) of Esther’s story isn’t something we parallel to modern day, it’s something we look to with thanks and learn from—we shouldn’t commit a genocide on people who want to genocide us, we only act out of self preservation, not malice. And on top of that, the phrasing and the way everything was paralleled and described just did not feel like it was coming from an authentic lens.
Overall, the author could have done with more research. A lot more.
In the beginning I mentioned The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. That has been a novel close to my heart, while possibly blasphemous to others, I truly loved it. I’ve heard this book was similar and it absolutely wasn’t. Diamant wrote a novel about women, from a woman’s perspective, with all the elements of ancient sisterhood and culture that made it a compelling, emotional read. Tenney does no such thing. It’s flat, boring—cultureless, frankly. And beyond that, it truly feels like and idealization and mild fetishization of the humble, sweet, doe-eyed Jewish woman. I hated it. I really did.
All in all, the Megillah has always been one of my favorite books of the Tanakh, and I’ve yet to find a book written about it that I enjoy and don’t have to force my way through. This one is sadly the same, and even worse in some ways, as this is the one adaptation I couldn’t force my way through.
Some will say it’s along the lines of The Red Tent — they couldn’t be more wrong.
I got this book as a gift for my college graduation from my grandmother, with a lovely little message from her on the inside cover, so I was excited to read it. However, it really just felt very contrived and, as a Jewish reader, from a very modern and Christian lens.
My biggest, most immediate frustration I had was fact that Haman’s symbol was the swastika. Yes, that symbol was used to mark the regime and individuals that brought about a genocide with the Shoah, but before that it was used in other cultures and religions as a positive sign. In Hinduism it symbolizes prosperity and good luck. At the time that this would have happened, it would have been used in such ways, not as a symbol for hate like it became in the 30’s and now.
In relation and juxtaposition, Hadassah’s necklace of the Magen David is also not historically accurate. Yes, it is a symbol for the Jewish community that has existed for centuries, but it existed in a much different way in that time an culture as opposed to modern day. The modern use of the Star of David as symbol for all Jews began in the 17th century in Prague—up until then, it was used mainly to represent priests and religious aspects of Judaism specifically, not just Am Israel itself. So, Hadassah would not have had such a pendant.
Then there’s the whole issue of HaShem’s name. The author is careful to write “G-d,” but has no issue writing out the four letters of the name. Hypocritical, in my opinion, as Jews don’t speak the name, much less write it in a document that can be defiled easily.
There really are so many things I had issues with. The writing style was slow. The addition of the modern storyline is just incredibly Christian to me because our (or at least my view) of Esther’s story isn’t something we parallel to modern day, it’s something we look to with thanks and learn from—we shouldn’t commit a genocide on people who want to genocide us, we only act out of self preservation, not malice. And on top of that, the phrasing and the way everything was paralleled and described just did not feel like it was coming from an authentic lens.
Overall, the author could have done with more research. A lot more.
In the beginning I mentioned The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. That has been a novel close to my heart, while possibly blasphemous to others, I truly loved it. I’ve heard this book was similar and it absolutely wasn’t. Diamant wrote a novel about women, from a woman’s perspective, with all the elements of ancient sisterhood and culture that made it a compelling, emotional read. Tenney does no such thing. It’s flat, boring—cultureless, frankly. And beyond that, it truly feels like and idealization and mild fetishization of the humble, sweet, doe-eyed Jewish woman. I hated it. I really did.
All in all, the Megillah has always been one of my favorite books of the Tanakh, and I’ve yet to find a book written about it that I enjoy and don’t have to force my way through. This one is sadly the same, and even worse in some ways, as this is the one adaptation I couldn’t force my way through.
milo_hek's review against another edition
1.0
This was an absolutely TERRIBLE book. Aside from the awful writing style, swastikas? Reeeeaaallly?? Haman had swastikas? You couldn't figure out how to write a complex character and instead had to refer to the as-bad-as-the-nazis trope? You couldn't figure out anything even marginally more subtle than that? Also, glorification of Jews much? Not all people of any given race are good people. But as I said, no complex characters.
Bach and Mozart did not take their faith and adoration of god as an excuse for sub-par art. For shame.
Bach and Mozart did not take their faith and adoration of god as an excuse for sub-par art. For shame.
abby_punches's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly? This book manages to achieve comical levels of poor writing, weak plot, and unbelievable characters on a level I've only encountered in Wattpad "Your Name" fics.
I've read a lot of biblical novels of varying qualities and I can think of at least two other Biblical novels based on the story of Esther that beat this one to shreds in every aspect. Please, I beg of you, go read one of them. Only read this book if you want to encounter A) a version of ancient Persia that is disappointingly lacking in fact, B) the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes, C) an interpretation of the historical King Xerxes that hand-waves his true nature, D) interpersonal relationships and plot points that flat out couldn't have existed in Persian court culture, and E) the transformation of Haman the Agagite into the first person to appropriate the swastika as a hate symbol.
Read Trudy J. Morgan-Cole's "Esther: A Story of Courage" or "Esther: A Novel" by Gini Andrews. Leave this one alone.
I've read a lot of biblical novels of varying qualities and I can think of at least two other Biblical novels based on the story of Esther that beat this one to shreds in every aspect. Please, I beg of you, go read one of them. Only read this book if you want to encounter A) a version of ancient Persia that is disappointingly lacking in fact, B) the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes, C) an interpretation of the historical King Xerxes that hand-waves his true nature, D) interpersonal relationships and plot points that flat out couldn't have existed in Persian court culture, and E) the transformation of Haman the Agagite into the first person to appropriate the swastika as a hate symbol.
Read Trudy J. Morgan-Cole's "Esther: A Story of Courage" or "Esther: A Novel" by Gini Andrews. Leave this one alone.
boooooooooooe's review
5.0
Al de 5e keer dat ik dit boek lees vlgsm. Nog steeds een sterk verhaal. Mede door mijn naamgenoot als titel. Daarnaast wordt het verhaal van Ester niet uitgebreid in de bijbel besproken. Dit geeft de gedachtegang van Hadassa weer.
lsoccer12's review against another edition
2.0
Esther happens to be one of my top 5 favorite Bible stories.
Translation: Don't mess this one up, Tommy Tenney. I'm going to read into every detail.
*2.5 stars*
The setting, time period imagery, and story were all pretty well written.
I understand that the character of Esther must be difficult to write, but I didn't quite enjoy her development. Headstrong, curious, and deeply but masterfully conflicted becoming boring, sappy, and dull? No thanks.
Translation: Don't mess this one up, Tommy Tenney. I'm going to read into every detail.
*2.5 stars*
The setting, time period imagery, and story were all pretty well written.
I understand that the character of Esther must be difficult to write, but I didn't quite enjoy her development. Headstrong, curious, and deeply but masterfully conflicted becoming boring, sappy, and dull? No thanks.
abigailkayharris's review against another edition
2.0
So, I don't often read Biblical fiction but I tried this one. It was okay but I'm not likely to reread it. There were some things that I felt wouldn't be like they were in Biblical times.
beckybmckinney's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.75
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed the struggles the character went through. Living a life of faith is never easy, unlike the movie rendition of this book seems to make the character into (I really disliked the movie version because it took out the most relatable values of the main character). This book is a great illustrated of how difficult faith is for someone but how rewarding it can truly be.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
4.0
What a wonderful new view on a great story. If you have ever wondered what Ester felt or what she went through this book does a wonderful job of filling in some of those gaps. in the mood for a good love story, I suggest this book.