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A review by sapphisms
The Book of Esther by Emily Barton
5.0
** I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review**
Warnings about this book: It takes place during WWII and the Holocaust, main character though it's handled very well, small amounts (though explicit) sexual content, slavery discussion (in reference to , misogyny (in relation to how Esther is treated on a textual level), classism (Esther is of the upper class, and realizes this)
Overall Feelings: When I went into this book, I definitely realized that I was not its intended audience. In a sea of overtly blonde and Christian heroines, the book was written for a Jewish audience, and was a Jewish book, through and through. While it was slow initially, it picked up (and didn't stop) once I got past around fifty pages, and I figured out that all of that was exposition so that the story would make sense. It's very heavy on history, but with the mixture of fantasy elements, it's blended seamlessly. If you wanted supplementary material, you could just look up the regions and cultures in the book. Beautiful writing and an engaging Jeanne d'Arc story, The Book of Esther: A Novel didn't let me go in a story that left me constantly wondering how it would advance.
Full Review: I have issues sorting out the entirety of my feelings for this book. To begin with, it was incredibly refreshing to read a book thoroughly about Jewish life, without any hand-holding or comparison to Christianity. The book was a celebration of what it meant to be Jewish and, even as a Muslim, I found myself tearing up on multiple occasions at the strong sense of identity and community Esther shared with the Khazar people and fellow Jews. Another thing that was so good was that, even though Esther is Jewish and the book is about them being Jewish and trying to continue their Jewish livelihood, she struggles with her religion (particularly because she's so young and confused as to how she wants to live and how she wants to lead her army). Something I've noticed in novels that are written about non-Christian characters is that they're never allowed to struggle with their faith- otherwise they'll be called a "fake" Jew or Muslim or Hindu.
But Barton breathed life into Esther, and made her real. A little Jewish girl will not live her whole life without doubting if she's doing right by her religion at least once. Seeing her struggle with temptation () gave the story one extra kick that I loved immediately.
Just from the summary, I had assumed that Esther would transition. Yet, when she doesn't (which is not a spoiler, considering the summary again), she makes it very explicit that the only thing she wants to break is the gender role, not her actual gender. I'm glad that that wasn't seen as the whole solution- that her becoming a man would've solved all of her problems, even though she didn't truly want to become a man.
Another thing that was well-handled was the transgender character in this. I won't name names solely so that I can keep this paragraph spoiler free and everyone can read this.One of the best parts of the book is the fact that he transitioned by the faith in Hashem- trans characters are so rarely allowed to be religious that, when this was shown, I got emotional. He is, in fact, one of the most religious characters in this book, and one that goes strictly by the laws of the Torah and the state. Esther and him share a romance, and I've never seen chemistry written that well- they're allowed to have spats and, when she accidentally outs him, he is rightfully angry and has to work to forgive her. On top of that, Esther comes to her own terms that he is a man (and the narrative never once misgenders him), and the fact that she is attracted to him is never impeded by the fact that he was once a woman. I want a book about him alone- that's how well-written his character was.
Another one of my favorite parts is when Esther. To be honest, at the beginning, their relationship made me uncomfortable because it seemed more like Esther was using her for charity instead of actual friendship (with Rukhl being a refugee). The best part is that . In what is honestly some of the best character development, Esther drops this internal monologue:
"As Esther sat her horse, [...] the realization dawned that she had never known Rukhl. She'd admired her strength in the face of hardship, felt proud to be one of the few people of her class to have a connection to someone in the camp. Giving her food had let her feel useful and virtuous. But it was a misnomer to call this a friendship."
Coming into this book, I hadn't expected deep commentary on classism and the social divide, as well as how the rich use the poor and disadvantaged to make themselves feel better. But this book was the gift that kept giving. Honestly? I'm on the lookout for any more books by Barton. Great job!
Some of my favorite quotes:
* "They intend to mount a strong defense. But Germania [...] is so powerful."
"More powerful than Hashem?"
"'Above the thunder of the mighty waters, more majestic than the breakers of the sea is the Lord.'" What Itakh had said was awful. "Of course not."
"The Maccabees defeated Antiochus, though they were outnumbered. Dovid slew the giant Goliath."
* "There will be fighting, bloodshed. You'll have to train to use weapons."
"I have brought two children into the world. I can endure hardship and pain."
"No. I am made of this clay. I assume I'll return to the riverbank. [...] Did not King Dovid sing, 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me'?"
"He did."
"'You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the Lord's house forever.'"
Esther's eyes stung. "But when he sings, 'He restores my soul-'"
"He restores my soul as well." A moment later, he repeated, "He also restores my soul."
Warnings about this book: It takes place during WWII and the Holocaust, main character
Spoiler
accidentally outs her trans friendSpoiler
golemOverall Feelings: When I went into this book, I definitely realized that I was not its intended audience. In a sea of overtly blonde and Christian heroines, the book was written for a Jewish audience, and was a Jewish book, through and through. While it was slow initially, it picked up (and didn't stop) once I got past around fifty pages, and I figured out that all of that was exposition so that the story would make sense. It's very heavy on history, but with the mixture of fantasy elements, it's blended seamlessly. If you wanted supplementary material, you could just look up the regions and cultures in the book. Beautiful writing and an engaging Jeanne d'Arc story, The Book of Esther: A Novel didn't let me go in a story that left me constantly wondering how it would advance.
Full Review: I have issues sorting out the entirety of my feelings for this book. To begin with, it was incredibly refreshing to read a book thoroughly about Jewish life, without any hand-holding or comparison to Christianity. The book was a celebration of what it meant to be Jewish and, even as a Muslim, I found myself tearing up on multiple occasions at the strong sense of identity and community Esther shared with the Khazar people and fellow Jews. Another thing that was so good was that, even though Esther is Jewish and the book is about them being Jewish and trying to continue their Jewish livelihood, she struggles with her religion (particularly because she's so young and confused as to how she wants to live and how she wants to lead her army). Something I've noticed in novels that are written about non-Christian characters is that they're never allowed to struggle with their faith- otherwise they'll be called a "fake" Jew or Muslim or Hindu.
But Barton breathed life into Esther, and made her real. A little Jewish girl will not live her whole life without doubting if she's doing right by her religion at least once. Seeing her struggle with temptation (
Spoiler
be it with Shimon or with AmitJust from the summary, I had assumed that Esther would transition. Yet, when she doesn't (which is not a spoiler, considering the summary again), she makes it very explicit that the only thing she wants to break is the gender role, not her actual gender. I'm glad that that wasn't seen as the whole solution- that her becoming a man would've solved all of her problems, even though she didn't truly want to become a man.
Another thing that was well-handled was the transgender character in this. I won't name names solely so that I can keep this paragraph spoiler free and everyone can read this.One of the best parts of the book is the fact that he transitioned by the faith in Hashem- trans characters are so rarely allowed to be religious that, when this was shown, I got emotional. He is, in fact, one of the most religious characters in this book, and one that goes strictly by the laws of the Torah and the state. Esther and him share a romance, and I've never seen chemistry written that well- they're allowed to have spats and, when she accidentally outs him, he is rightfully angry and has to work to forgive her. On top of that, Esther comes to her own terms that he is a man (and the narrative never once misgenders him), and the fact that she is attracted to him is never impeded by the fact that he was once a woman. I want a book about him alone- that's how well-written his character was.
Another one of my favorite parts is when Esther
Spoiler
reunites with RukhlSpoiler
Esther realizes this"As Esther sat her horse, [...] the realization dawned that she had never known Rukhl. She'd admired her strength in the face of hardship, felt proud to be one of the few people of her class to have a connection to someone in the camp. Giving her food had let her feel useful and virtuous. But it was a misnomer to call this a friendship."
Coming into this book, I hadn't expected deep commentary on classism and the social divide, as well as how the rich use the poor and disadvantaged to make themselves feel better. But this book was the gift that kept giving. Honestly? I'm on the lookout for any more books by Barton. Great job!
Some of my favorite quotes:
* "They intend to mount a strong defense. But Germania [...] is so powerful."
"More powerful than Hashem?"
"'Above the thunder of the mighty waters, more majestic than the breakers of the sea is the Lord.'" What Itakh had said was awful. "Of course not."
"The Maccabees defeated Antiochus, though they were outnumbered. Dovid slew the giant Goliath."
* "There will be fighting, bloodshed. You'll have to train to use weapons."
"I have brought two children into the world. I can endure hardship and pain."
Spoiler
* "Are you afraid?""No. I am made of this clay. I assume I'll return to the riverbank. [...] Did not King Dovid sing, 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me'?"
"He did."
"'You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the Lord's house forever.'"
Esther's eyes stung. "But when he sings, 'He restores my soul-'"
"He restores my soul as well." A moment later, he repeated, "He also restores my soul."