Grab My Blog Button
#142 ~ The Triumph of Deborah
The Triumph of Deborah
Deborah was an amazing woman. She is a beloved and honored Hebrew prophet, judge, and leader. She loves God and His people and wants to live in peace with those living around them. Unfortunately, the Hebrew people were seen as intruders. After a shaming encounter with Sisra, the military leader of the Canaanites, where she was attempting to obtain a peace treaty, she determines that not all people are as open to having women participate in politics. It is then that she decides to send the Hebrew army to war with Barak, a young soldier with new ideas. She made the right decision for her people, but at the cost of her marriage. Deborah had to learn to live and lead on her own with only her God as her guide.
I really loved the way in which this novel opened. Deborah, anxiously awaiting the outcome of the war she sanctioned, was juxtaposed against, Asherah, the young wife of Sisra. Both women wanted their commanders to be successful, but only one would get what she wanted. It set the tone of the novel and got me interested immediately. Given the title, the outcome of the war was not shocking to me, but that war wasn’t the end. Asherah and Deborah continue to be linked through Barak and both of their lives are impacted by Nogah, a Hebrew slave who was freed from King Jabin after the Hebrew defeat of the Canaanites.
The Triumph of Deborah is not what I would consider a typical of biblical fiction. In this novel, all of the characters were portrayed as true human beings, not superhuman beings powered by God. It is not tame and it does not show always show the biblical characters in the most positive, read moral light. The characters in this novel are sensual beings who find ways to rationalize their sexual behavior. The writing is as uninhibited as the characters, making this a novel that I could not recommend to my mother who would otherwise be interested in fiction with a biblical twist. In that way, however, it may open up the world of the Bible to others.
I was very pleased with my first experience in Eva Etzioni-Halevy’s rich early Hebrew world. If I had one complaint about the novel, it was that there wasn’t enough of Deborah in it. I loved her character and would have liked to have gotten to know her even more. The action within the story most definitely followed Barak, but I missed Deborah when she wasn’t front and center. I would have liked to have been with Deborah more as she planned her victory dance with Barak and felt her regret with her afterwards. That being said, I enjoyed Nogah and her story as well. I would highly recommend The Triumph of Deborah and look forward to reading more of Etzioni-Halevy’s fiction.
Have you read The Triumph of Deborah, The Song of Hannah, or The Garden of Ruth? I would love to hear what you think.
******
To buy this novel, click here
February 14, 2009 | Filed Under book review, fiction
Comments
7 Responses to “#142 ~ The Triumph of Deborah”
-
pingback:
Posted: Feb 14th, 2009 at 10:01 pm1Topics about Christian life and Bible readings » Archive » #142 ~ The Truimph of DeborahReply to this comment.[...] SCAE \ Acts of the Apologists placed an observative post today on #142 ~ The Truimph of DeborahHere’s a quick excerpt…who would otherwise be interested in fiction with a biblical twist. In that way, however, it may open up the world of the BBible/B to others. [...]
-
pingback:
Posted: Feb 15th, 2009 at 6:29 pm2The Sunday Salon ~ 02.15.09 : literatehousewife.comReply to this comment.[...] My girls like to play at the local Barnes & Noble and I was able to write my review of The Triumph of Deborah while I was there. [...]
-
Shana @ Literarily
Posted: Feb 16th, 2009 at 4:03 am3Reply to this comment.Nogah was my favorite character. I really enjoyed this book too.
Hey, Shana! I liked Nogah a lot. She was a strong character. I think the book should have been all about her or more about Deborah. I want more!
-
Anna
Posted: Feb 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm4Reply to this comment.This one sounds good. I’m glad it’s different than most biblical fiction. I’ll be reading this one soon. Great review!
-
Sheri
Posted: Feb 21st, 2009 at 12:45 pm5Reply to this comment.I liked this book so much. Here’s my post: http://anovelmenagerie.com/ghost/2009/02/20/book-review-the-triumph-of-deborah/
Sheri’s last blog post..Book Giveaway Carnival – Coming Up!
We are of like minds on this novel. I really want to read her other books.
-
Sheri
Posted: Feb 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm6Reply to this comment.Also, Jo-Jo is giving away a copy of this book on her review at http://jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-and-giveaway-triumph-of-deborah.html
Sher
Sheri’s last blog post..Book Giveaway Carnival – Coming Up!
-
pingback:
Posted: Jul 24th, 2009 at 5:20 pm7Vacation Reading 2009 | literatehousewife.comReply to this comment.[...] of Hannah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy ~ Eva sent me a copy of this book after I published my review of The Triumph of Deborah. I enjoyed her portrayal of women from the Bible – like I said in my review, this isn’t [...]
Got something to say?
Book Blogger Con
Have you heard about the 1st Annual Book Blogger Convention that will be held in NYC during the BEA? You should check it out. I know it will be a fantastic experience. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to family obligations, but I'll be trolling blogs for up to the minute news.
WE Magazine’s A Woman Blogger to Watch
Literate Challenges
What's in a Name? 3
Random Reading Challenge
