Peeking Between the Pages

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The Triumph of Deborah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy

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The Triumph of Deborah is a historical (Biblical) fiction novel and yet so much more. I have always enjoyed Biblical stories and this one did not disappoint me. The author had contacted me and asked if I’d be willing to read and review her novel on my blog and really it should be me thanking her because I enjoyed it that much.

  • Deborah, a Prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the palm tree of Deborah…in the hill country of Efraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. -Judges 4:4-5

The story is about Deborah who was a very powerful woman in Israel-people stood in awe of her. As the above quote from the Bible tells us the people of her land looked to her for guidance and advice so she became a judge in the land. She also felt herself a ‘mother figure’-from the time she was young she had taken on the role of telling others how to handle issues and they would abide by her. Deborah was also a prophetess-God spoke to her and she carried out his wishes among his people. Deborah is a fascinating character not only because of the power she had but also the way she was willing to overlook being treated in not a respectful way by men who knew no better-she was a better person than that. When she was dealing with men who did not think a woman’s place was that of a leader she would, to some extent, not flaunt her power. I respected that about her-she wasn’t arrogant in her power, she just knew it was there and I imagine so did these men and that’s what scared them. Deborah is the one who instigates the war between the Israelites and Caanaanites. She had a prophecy from God that they would win so she goes with Barak to war and they do indeed prevail.

However, I don’t think that Deborah is the only powerful woman in this novel. There is Nogah, who is the King of the Caanaanite’s illegitimate daughter who was powerful in her own more quiet way. She is another character I felt very drawn to. She started out as a slave, her mother Reumah watching over her very closely as she knew who Nogah was. Eventually the King finds out who Nogah is and welcomes her into his heart although will not recognize her publicly. She learns to read and she and her mother have a much better life for a while. Then there is a war and Nogah’s life is upset once again. She goes to live in Barak’s home being a maid once again. However, she falls in love with him and he with her although he is oblivious at the time and only after she leaves him, does he realize his love. Finally they come together again and in Nogah’s quiet way she tells Barak that peace between the Israelites and Caanaanites is the best for both. Deborah agrees and they meet together with the Caanaanites and an agreement of peace is established.

There is so much more than I can ever possibly put in a review. This book is very rich in detail of both the people and the land-I felt as though I was a part of everything happening. It also has a romantic element which is enjoyable. I loved that we saw the power, especially of Deborah, in a time when this was really unheard of. Women had no rights in that time and yet here was Deborah rising above that to be a judge and highly respected.

Eva Etzioni-Halevy has a way of making us love these characters. I felt so strongly for them and their welfare. I was sad to see this novel end-it is a story I could have kept reading for another 400 pages. It is a testament to women that we can overcome almost anything to succeed. We are strong and brilliant and beautiful!

There are many quotes throughout this novel that are amazing but with my love of flowers I picked this out as one of my favorites just for the visual aspect and feeling of peace that it brings to me.

  • ‘A gentle breeze was moving the branches of the blooming pomegranate trees and mandrakes, whose fragrances it bore into the distance. A mulitude of colorful wildflowers had sprouted; they glistened like precious stones from the dew of the night that still clung to their petals’.

I think this book is well worth reading especially if you love Biblical fiction. It’s a great story with an even greater lesson. Many thanks to Eva for the pleasure of reading this novel. You can visit her website here. For myself, I will definitely be reading her other two novels, The Song of Hannah and The Garden of Ruth.

Other reviews to note: Literarily, Presenting Lenore

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Comments

  1. I haven’t read any of the biblical historical fiction, but your review does intrigue me!

  2. You finished the book quickly! Great review! I definitely want to read this book now after reading your review. I will be adding it to my wish list. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  4. Swapna, there is some good stuff out there-my favorite has always been Francine Rivers but Eva is now on that list too.

    Bonnie, I just could not put it down last night. I endedup reading till about 1am. lol.

    Thanks Karen 🙂

  5. Interesting to read about my namesake; I will definiately have to check out this book – great review! JP/deb

  6. Hi Dar, glad you liked this one. I was contacted by the author but just didn’t take advantage of the offer. Next time I will! Thanks for the review.

    PS I really like your new blog format!

  7. Thanks JP/deb and thanks for popping in-hope you do again.

    Mary, if you like Biblical fiction at all then yes. I love it so I knew right away that I wanted to read her book. Thanks for the compliment on the blog-I really like it now too. I doubt I’ll change back to the old one.

  8. I think the last Biblical historical fiction I read was The Red Tent and I loved it. This one sounds just as good and I’m glad you liked it. I’m always leary of reading books when the author has contacted me because I haven’t had the best of luck loving them. Stuff like that makes me anxious.

  9. Yup. On the TBR with this one! 🙂 I’ll be curious to see how you like the others.

    Lezlie

  11. Dear Dar,

    Your review of my novel is so thoughtful incisive and encouraging, no wonder I loved it.

    Here is a comment that strengthened what you wrote in your review, which I hope people may find interesting.

    I am by profession a sociologist and sometimes friends ask why I turned from academis to writing BIBLICAL novels.

    It so happened that at some stage in my life I began reading the Old Testament of the Bible, and was entranced by it. What fascinated me is that it is full of the most DRAMATIC and the most TRAUMATIC stories about people who lived thousands of years ago, and yet are so strikingly similar to us, in their hopes and fears and anxieties. I began to identify in particular with the women, who are presented as persons with strong feelings, desires and jealousies, which I could visualize as if they were my own.

    What also fascinated me about these biblical women was that they lived in a male-dominated society, had few legal rights and were rather downtrodden in family and society. Yet, paradoxically, they are described as strong women, who did not sit around and bemoan their fate, but took destiny into their own hands and achieved what they wanted to achieve in their lives. Mostly this was a marriage, or the birth of a son.

    But in some cases, such as that of Deborah, as described in my novel, it meant the “breaking of the glass ceiling,” and becoming a revered judge, religious and national leader.

    Most women do not want to become political leaders, but all women can learn a lesson from Deborah: Whatever is right for me, and no matter how difficult the circumstances, I can do it!

    With all good wishes,

    Eva

  13. Trish, I loved The Red Tent also. I agree it’s a bit nerve wracking to read an author’s book as you’re worried-what if I don’t like it. I was fairly certain I would like this as I do like Biblical fiction but I am so grateful I wasn’t disappointed.

    Lezlie, I’m glad I could put on on your tbr list for once. lol.

    Eva, I’m so glad you liked the novel and thank you for popping in and leaving a comment-that’s wonderful. Your comment is very insightful. I think it’s great how you can turn a Bible story that people may not understand as well into an enjoyable and informative fiction novel-it’s a great talent. Thanks again for the opportunity to read it.

    J.Kaye, thanks. It was very good. I’m anxious to read the others now 🙂

  14. Wow, girl, you are on a roll with these awesome reviews.

    I read this one too and loved it. It reminded me of The Red Tent in that it took a very boring, dry story from the Bible and made it so real that I couldn’t put the book down.

    If the Hannah and Ruth stories are as good, I am so there!

    Nogah was my favorite character. I loved her but sometimes wanted to slap her silly with her blind love of that neanderthal Barak.

    Okay, I actually liked him too, but sheesh that guy really got around, didn’t he? Somehow he managed to redeem himself in my eyes despite that.

  15. Shana, thanks. I’ve been lucky with good books lately and I have another one to post today. lol.

    I think that’s what I love so much about these types of books-you take a story you may not understand so much and it’s made into this wonderful tale.

    Like you I got frustrated with Nogah but she was still so endearing to me. I know what you mean by Barak-you read all he was up to with women and everything else and yet underneath it all he was a good man-he was good to his people, better than most.

    I’m going to pop over and find your review and give it a read.

  18. I used to read a lot of Biblical fiction – I kind of over-dosed on it and I don’t think I’m ready to begin again. However, I’m glad it was a good read for you.

  19. Joy, I’ve read quite a bit of them and it never fails I get hooked every time. They have always been a favorite of mine.

  20. I wonder if I’m the only person who hasn’t read this book? 🙂

    This sounds like a wonderful read. I love it when a book is so good, so powerful you can’t quite put it in words. I cherish those books when I’m lucky enough to find them!

    –Anna
    http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com

  21. Anna, I agree. I’ve had a couple books lately that have been so good that I sit and stare at my computer screen and wonder how I can possibly write about it.