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The Leper Messiah
Sometimes we just need a dark page-turner. The Leper Messiah is that book. This grand adventure follows one of the greatest heroes of the western world, David, and draws the reader deeply into the ancient world. The David Unlock the ancient secrets of Egyptian mysticism and the Hebrew desert world. For the Ark of the Covenant, the powerful voice of the Rose, and King David's adventures as a young boy.....are all cloaked in the robes of the Leper Messiah.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2018
Power, Love, History, Mysticism - this book has it all!
R.M.L.’s story The Leper Messiah is a dark fantasy set in the ancient world of Biblical Old Testament times. Inspired by the story of David, king of ancient Israel, the saga explores the childhood of his character up through exile and into adulthood. While not Biblically based, the author, having worked in Israel and the around the areas where King Saul and Saul’s son died, does a fantastic job with the setting of his book. His descriptions bring the reader right into the moment with touch, taste, smell and food common to the times. The prose is written like scripture of that time, adding to the feel of the setting. It’s world-building at its best.
The author, having grown up as an orphan, was long intrigued by David’s own mother, who is not mentioned in the Bible. Creating his vision of her helped him understand some of his own struggles as a child. The additional story he portrays of David is as old as time: the youngest of many brothers, wanting to stand out, to be loved and noticed by his father. To matter. Some of the author’s own personal adventures lend realism to David’s story, as he himself survived a scorpion bite in the Negev desert, and at one time won a camel-hair robe from a Bedouin in an arm-wrestling match. He also ran with the bulls in Spain, so is no stranger to adventure.
The book is a dark read. Full of danger, intrigue, battles, love, and power, as well as mystics, dark spirits, and evil influences, it’s an adventure from page one until you reach the end.
R.M.L.’s story The Leper Messiah is a dark fantasy set in the ancient world of Biblical Old Testament times. Inspired by the story of David, king of ancient Israel, the saga explores the childhood of his character up through exile and into adulthood. While not Biblically based, the author, having worked in Israel and the around the areas where King Saul and Saul’s son died, does a fantastic job with the setting of his book. His descriptions bring the reader right into the moment with touch, taste, smell and food common to the times. The prose is written like scripture of that time, adding to the feel of the setting. It’s world-building at its best.
The author, having grown up as an orphan, was long intrigued by David’s own mother, who is not mentioned in the Bible. Creating his vision of her helped him understand some of his own struggles as a child. The additional story he portrays of David is as old as time: the youngest of many brothers, wanting to stand out, to be loved and noticed by his father. To matter. Some of the author’s own personal adventures lend realism to David’s story, as he himself survived a scorpion bite in the Negev desert, and at one time won a camel-hair robe from a Bedouin in an arm-wrestling match. He also ran with the bulls in Spain, so is no stranger to adventure.
The book is a dark read. Full of danger, intrigue, battles, love, and power, as well as mystics, dark spirits, and evil influences, it’s an adventure from page one until you reach the end.
October 1, 2018
A king unites the tribes and protects us from our enemies.” David stood up. “I will do that.”
Rob Levinson steps into the historical fiction limelight with his debut novel THE LEPER MESSIAH. Not only has Rob crafted a deeply impressive novel about the birth and childhood of David, the slayer of Goliath and the eventual King of Israel, but he taps into historic tradition (the “Leper Messiah” being the two aspects of the Messiah – a sufferer and a conqueror) and a contemporary concept – of Metallica’s and David Bowie’s musical statements by that name.
Rob Levinson offers his initiation as a writer in a manner that seduces the reader into this mystery – the birth and childhood and young adult aspects of David that resulted in his becoming the hero King of Israel. And yes, stories of David‘s slaying of Goliath and his adulterous affair with Bathsheba are well known as his triumphs as King, but Rob explores how this great man developed.
Another reason this history works so well is Rob’s affinity for the beginnings of David: ‘I was adopted after being in an orphanage and did not know my mother’s name. I somehow felt a powerful connection with David’s mother, Nitzevet. Nitzy, my nickname for her, proved to be a hard taskmaster. After a few ill-written words, she came to me in a dream with grave misgivings. Her gaze shook me from my sleep; the eyes pierced my soul and demanded much more than my feeble words could bring to life. I vowed to honor her son David.’
The pleasures of Rob’s eloquent prose keep the reader involved in this ‘created biography’ – based on truth and biblical reference and conjecture and imagination. The development from the birth to the young lad status is shared in short sentences or paragraphs, much like reading the Bible. Example – ‘A few days later Nitzevet cradled David in the late afternoon shadow of an olive tree. She gently anointed his forehead with rose oil and whispered of her mother’s love through the rolling hill country of Hebron. “I am The Mystical Rose, the light of the burning bush that burns brighter than the sun. The light of The Rose will guide thee and the path of The Rose will lead you.’
Mysticism, raw reality, the introduction of the lineage/family, the Scorpion (‘The warrior priest who becomes David’s protector, the former thief who sold David to the slave trader, and the baby in the cave’), King Saul, Princess Rose - all add to the tension and fascination this creative novel brings to readers of every following. Highly Recommended for all audiences. This is a sign that a new and important author has joined the literary ranks.
Rob Levinson steps into the historical fiction limelight with his debut novel THE LEPER MESSIAH. Not only has Rob crafted a deeply impressive novel about the birth and childhood of David, the slayer of Goliath and the eventual King of Israel, but he taps into historic tradition (the “Leper Messiah” being the two aspects of the Messiah – a sufferer and a conqueror) and a contemporary concept – of Metallica’s and David Bowie’s musical statements by that name.
Rob Levinson offers his initiation as a writer in a manner that seduces the reader into this mystery – the birth and childhood and young adult aspects of David that resulted in his becoming the hero King of Israel. And yes, stories of David‘s slaying of Goliath and his adulterous affair with Bathsheba are well known as his triumphs as King, but Rob explores how this great man developed.
Another reason this history works so well is Rob’s affinity for the beginnings of David: ‘I was adopted after being in an orphanage and did not know my mother’s name. I somehow felt a powerful connection with David’s mother, Nitzevet. Nitzy, my nickname for her, proved to be a hard taskmaster. After a few ill-written words, she came to me in a dream with grave misgivings. Her gaze shook me from my sleep; the eyes pierced my soul and demanded much more than my feeble words could bring to life. I vowed to honor her son David.’
The pleasures of Rob’s eloquent prose keep the reader involved in this ‘created biography’ – based on truth and biblical reference and conjecture and imagination. The development from the birth to the young lad status is shared in short sentences or paragraphs, much like reading the Bible. Example – ‘A few days later Nitzevet cradled David in the late afternoon shadow of an olive tree. She gently anointed his forehead with rose oil and whispered of her mother’s love through the rolling hill country of Hebron. “I am The Mystical Rose, the light of the burning bush that burns brighter than the sun. The light of The Rose will guide thee and the path of The Rose will lead you.’
Mysticism, raw reality, the introduction of the lineage/family, the Scorpion (‘The warrior priest who becomes David’s protector, the former thief who sold David to the slave trader, and the baby in the cave’), King Saul, Princess Rose - all add to the tension and fascination this creative novel brings to readers of every following. Highly Recommended for all audiences. This is a sign that a new and important author has joined the literary ranks.
December 12, 2018
I am a big fan of biblical fiction and history fiction. I was advised The Leper Messiah by Rob Levinson on Goodreads. And I'm glad I readed this book. I'm still impressed. Such books are events in life. It seems to me that everyone can find something completely different for themselves. Read this necessarily. This book is for every person. Without a doubt, The Leper Messiah by Rob Levinson deserves the highest praise!
October 25, 2018
I am not Christian—if anything, I’m agnostic—but I can honestly say that despite the subject matter, this book would easily capture the attention of anyone into dark, supernatural, historical, and/or biblical fiction. The writing is simple and easy to follow, most of the characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story itself is fascinating. It’s David—of David and Goliath fame and King of the Israelites—like you have probably never seen him before.
David is an outcast, even within his own family. Something has always seemed off about the boy, causing most people—including his father and all but one of his brothers—to ostracize him and perhaps fear him as well. While lonely and longing for some sort of approval, David has not given up yet. In fact, he feels he is destined for something much greater than a farmer’s life and will do whatever it takes to prove himself right. But what will it take to get other people to see his worth? How will he get from David, the shepherd son of Jesse of Bethlehem, to King David of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah? Most importantly, what sort of relationships—human and divine—will he form along the way?
Right away this book took a hold of me and wouldn’t let go. The author’s original fiction met the biblical canon in such a way that I almost never saw what was coming even with knowing how David’s story in the Bible ends, a rare and refreshing occurrence for me. I’ll admit that the book did confuse me at times. Mostly, transitions from one character’s section to another within a chapter were often rough and it would take me a few sentences to even realize who was involved in that part of the story. Regardless, Levinson’s simple writing style—almost a more engaging version of the style used in English translations of the Bible—always pulled me right back in, and it was almost as though the rhythm had never been broken in the first place.
While the book is centered on David and his childhood—his whole life before he becomes a king—he is far from the only important player. Several other characters, such as The Scorpion and Arlemay, are also introduced and, at times, their stories were even more captivating than David’s. These characters emphasized the themes brought up by David’s main story, especially the need to pay heed to society’s outcasts, and brought new layers of meaning both to the story within The Leper Messiah and the original biblical text. It often took a while for these new characters to tie back into the main story, which might frustrate other readers, but the different threads do come together in the end and it’s worth seeing through to the end.
Unfortunately, despite all the research put into the biblical stories here, I feel that the historical research left something to be desired. I am very far from an expert on this time period or these cultures. However, after some digging of my own following a suspicion I had about one of the characters, I think I can reasonably say that Levinson mentions a religion which did not really exist at this time. One of the characters teaches David about her religion—which David’s brother Shimea refers to as “Arab”—and it is fairly clear that she is talking about Islam (mentions the pilgrimage to Mecca, the great mosque Ka’bah within Mecca, etc.). While there is debate about Islam’s origins, it most likely came into existence LONG after David died. Such details might go unnoticed by many readers, but it truly bothered me that something so obviously incorrect was added here rather unnecessarily, in my opinion.
All in all, this book is very entertaining and compelling. Biblical fiction lovers will definitely want to read it, and I think that fans of dark supernatural fiction will like it as well. (Although, I think that it really isn’t any darker than what people are already exposed to with the Bible, especially the Old Testament.) Deep thinkers will also appreciate things such as the double-meaning of leper (i.e. someone with leprosy and a social/moral outcast) and the scorpion-fighting-snake metaphor which weaves its way throughout the novel. Historical fiction fans will probably like it as well but will also want to take everything with a grain of salt. As I mentioned before, my own research indicates that at least some of this is historically inaccurate, so sticklers for facts will either want to take it with a grain of salt or avoid it altogether. Unless you’re offended by any Judeo-Christian-Islamic imagery, I think it’s worth a read for everyone.
David is an outcast, even within his own family. Something has always seemed off about the boy, causing most people—including his father and all but one of his brothers—to ostracize him and perhaps fear him as well. While lonely and longing for some sort of approval, David has not given up yet. In fact, he feels he is destined for something much greater than a farmer’s life and will do whatever it takes to prove himself right. But what will it take to get other people to see his worth? How will he get from David, the shepherd son of Jesse of Bethlehem, to King David of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah? Most importantly, what sort of relationships—human and divine—will he form along the way?
Right away this book took a hold of me and wouldn’t let go. The author’s original fiction met the biblical canon in such a way that I almost never saw what was coming even with knowing how David’s story in the Bible ends, a rare and refreshing occurrence for me. I’ll admit that the book did confuse me at times. Mostly, transitions from one character’s section to another within a chapter were often rough and it would take me a few sentences to even realize who was involved in that part of the story. Regardless, Levinson’s simple writing style—almost a more engaging version of the style used in English translations of the Bible—always pulled me right back in, and it was almost as though the rhythm had never been broken in the first place.
While the book is centered on David and his childhood—his whole life before he becomes a king—he is far from the only important player. Several other characters, such as The Scorpion and Arlemay, are also introduced and, at times, their stories were even more captivating than David’s. These characters emphasized the themes brought up by David’s main story, especially the need to pay heed to society’s outcasts, and brought new layers of meaning both to the story within The Leper Messiah and the original biblical text. It often took a while for these new characters to tie back into the main story, which might frustrate other readers, but the different threads do come together in the end and it’s worth seeing through to the end.
Unfortunately, despite all the research put into the biblical stories here, I feel that the historical research left something to be desired. I am very far from an expert on this time period or these cultures. However, after some digging of my own following a suspicion I had about one of the characters, I think I can reasonably say that Levinson mentions a religion which did not really exist at this time. One of the characters teaches David about her religion—which David’s brother Shimea refers to as “Arab”—and it is fairly clear that she is talking about Islam (mentions the pilgrimage to Mecca, the great mosque Ka’bah within Mecca, etc.). While there is debate about Islam’s origins, it most likely came into existence LONG after David died. Such details might go unnoticed by many readers, but it truly bothered me that something so obviously incorrect was added here rather unnecessarily, in my opinion.
All in all, this book is very entertaining and compelling. Biblical fiction lovers will definitely want to read it, and I think that fans of dark supernatural fiction will like it as well. (Although, I think that it really isn’t any darker than what people are already exposed to with the Bible, especially the Old Testament.) Deep thinkers will also appreciate things such as the double-meaning of leper (i.e. someone with leprosy and a social/moral outcast) and the scorpion-fighting-snake metaphor which weaves its way throughout the novel. Historical fiction fans will probably like it as well but will also want to take everything with a grain of salt. As I mentioned before, my own research indicates that at least some of this is historically inaccurate, so sticklers for facts will either want to take it with a grain of salt or avoid it altogether. Unless you’re offended by any Judeo-Christian-Islamic imagery, I think it’s worth a read for everyone.
November 26, 2018
When I picked up a copy of Rob Levinson's The Leper Messiah, I was reminded of my first encounter with the story of David while studying the Book of Samuel at a Hebrew parochial school “many moons ago.” It is here where I learned of God's choice of David to replace Saul as king of Israel and his subsequent establishment of the Judahite Kingdom. Yet, did I really know and understand David 's humble beginnings, his complex character, his pragmatism, his loyalty, his faith, his transgressions, and his flaws. Did I have any understanding as to what really made him “tick” and charismatic? These were themes that were never fully explored by my teachers. Perhaps, because I was too young to fully understand the depth of David's character, his conflicts, his villainous behavior, his fornication with Bat Sheba, and the ordering of her husband Uriah to be sent to die at war, that they were ignored?
Now along comes Levinson's novel of this fascinating character, which, according to its author, was inspired from the time he had been a young lad driving a tractor and gathering cotton in the field surrounding Kibbutz Sede Nahum, Israel. It was here that he read about Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed, and as he quotes David, “Oh, how have the mighty fallen.” He goes onto to say that he was entranced with David's story and even imagined himself “one of his outlaws, traveling with him on his journeys through Judah and Israel, gathering food, wine, and adventure like so many leaves on a fig tree.” As Levinson states, it was not so much that he wanted to tell the story of the mighty King David, but rather “the outcast, the troubled one, the desperate David” that filled him with wonder. With this in mind, Levinson has produced a fast-paced, intricately plotted tale that uses as its springboard the Book of Samuel. And to add an extra dimension, Levinson cleverly incorporates the tools of metaphor, symbolism, and mysticism, which enhances the story with more depth and color drawing in his readers and keeping them hooked.
Levinson lures his readers to travel with him into the past examining David's life as a young lad from the small town of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. David, who was the youngest in his family, was shy, afraid of his brothers and torn by his father Jesse's disdain. And from his earliest days, he felt like an outcast and “it became a mantle he wore like a brand that was burned into his very being. This was all he ever knew and it shaped his world.” We can feel his pain being “banished from his father's love, banishment from brother's love, this is pain.” If we are to describe the novel as merely historical fiction, we would not do it justice, thus depriving it of its individuality. What Levinson has accomplished is a form of realism which makes its biblical setting as immediate, vivid, and chaotic, as anything set in the present.
Several themes are touched upon including the strong women in David's life such as his mother Nitzevet and the supernatural Rose, who has a knack of appearing in pivotal moments in his life destroying anyone who dares to harm David. There is also King Saul's jealousy of David while serving in his army forcing him into hiding and finding asylum with Achish, the ruler of Gath. We also read about the true bond between David and Saul's son Jonathan,which proved itself, even in the most difficult of times.
Towards the end of the novel, Levinson succinctly sums it all up as follows: “he had to fight for everything or take it by force or sometimes charm. He learned quickly to survive in each situation, what mask to wear and when what to say and how to say it. He was gifted and realized at a young age that he could receive things with his natural ability to charm. He did not have to play a heavy role as a gentle way would deliver twice as much to his cause.”
The novel is not without its shortcomings, particularly the lack of smooth transitions between one chapter and the next, the popping in and out of characters with little introductions that I needed a scorecard to keep tab. Nonetheless, there is still a great deal to chew on that in a way doesn't trivialize David or his emotions. We have a fascinating, mysterious, and complex creation, all the more attractive for being flawed. And although, he is someone we don't especially like, yet we still admire him for his achievement in uniting his people.
FOLLOW HERE https://waa.ai/ojpn TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH ROB LEVINSON
Now along comes Levinson's novel of this fascinating character, which, according to its author, was inspired from the time he had been a young lad driving a tractor and gathering cotton in the field surrounding Kibbutz Sede Nahum, Israel. It was here that he read about Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed, and as he quotes David, “Oh, how have the mighty fallen.” He goes onto to say that he was entranced with David's story and even imagined himself “one of his outlaws, traveling with him on his journeys through Judah and Israel, gathering food, wine, and adventure like so many leaves on a fig tree.” As Levinson states, it was not so much that he wanted to tell the story of the mighty King David, but rather “the outcast, the troubled one, the desperate David” that filled him with wonder. With this in mind, Levinson has produced a fast-paced, intricately plotted tale that uses as its springboard the Book of Samuel. And to add an extra dimension, Levinson cleverly incorporates the tools of metaphor, symbolism, and mysticism, which enhances the story with more depth and color drawing in his readers and keeping them hooked.
Levinson lures his readers to travel with him into the past examining David's life as a young lad from the small town of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. David, who was the youngest in his family, was shy, afraid of his brothers and torn by his father Jesse's disdain. And from his earliest days, he felt like an outcast and “it became a mantle he wore like a brand that was burned into his very being. This was all he ever knew and it shaped his world.” We can feel his pain being “banished from his father's love, banishment from brother's love, this is pain.” If we are to describe the novel as merely historical fiction, we would not do it justice, thus depriving it of its individuality. What Levinson has accomplished is a form of realism which makes its biblical setting as immediate, vivid, and chaotic, as anything set in the present.
Several themes are touched upon including the strong women in David's life such as his mother Nitzevet and the supernatural Rose, who has a knack of appearing in pivotal moments in his life destroying anyone who dares to harm David. There is also King Saul's jealousy of David while serving in his army forcing him into hiding and finding asylum with Achish, the ruler of Gath. We also read about the true bond between David and Saul's son Jonathan,which proved itself, even in the most difficult of times.
Towards the end of the novel, Levinson succinctly sums it all up as follows: “he had to fight for everything or take it by force or sometimes charm. He learned quickly to survive in each situation, what mask to wear and when what to say and how to say it. He was gifted and realized at a young age that he could receive things with his natural ability to charm. He did not have to play a heavy role as a gentle way would deliver twice as much to his cause.”
The novel is not without its shortcomings, particularly the lack of smooth transitions between one chapter and the next, the popping in and out of characters with little introductions that I needed a scorecard to keep tab. Nonetheless, there is still a great deal to chew on that in a way doesn't trivialize David or his emotions. We have a fascinating, mysterious, and complex creation, all the more attractive for being flawed. And although, he is someone we don't especially like, yet we still admire him for his achievement in uniting his people.
FOLLOW HERE https://waa.ai/ojpn TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH ROB LEVINSON
September 19, 2018
Interesting take on the life of David
What an interesting view from the author on the life of David. Most people know the story of David and Goliath even if they aren’t of the Christian faith. This book is about that David. There are definitely religious connotations and some verses within the text, but the author is in no way preaching to the reader. The reader journeys throughout the life of David and it is anything but pleasant. The description of the book is justified in stating that it is a dark and twisted tale. There is a lot of deep and dark aspects within the Bible, so this is not surprising; however, it may be surprising to a reader who is not well versed in the Christian faith. As a Christian, I am not fully knowledgeable about the stories of David; but I would imagine that there is creative licenses given to his life by the author. I would definitely recommend this book to the mature adult reader whether or not you believe in a higher power or not. The writing is phenomenal although it can be wordy and drag on at times. This still did not stop me from turning the pages quickly.
What an interesting view from the author on the life of David. Most people know the story of David and Goliath even if they aren’t of the Christian faith. This book is about that David. There are definitely religious connotations and some verses within the text, but the author is in no way preaching to the reader. The reader journeys throughout the life of David and it is anything but pleasant. The description of the book is justified in stating that it is a dark and twisted tale. There is a lot of deep and dark aspects within the Bible, so this is not surprising; however, it may be surprising to a reader who is not well versed in the Christian faith. As a Christian, I am not fully knowledgeable about the stories of David; but I would imagine that there is creative licenses given to his life by the author. I would definitely recommend this book to the mature adult reader whether or not you believe in a higher power or not. The writing is phenomenal although it can be wordy and drag on at times. This still did not stop me from turning the pages quickly.
September 18, 2018
First, you should be aware that this does have somewhat of a religious theme as its the story of David and his birth to the point he becomes King. It is also dark themed and you should keep that in mind as you read it.
That being said, I found the journey David was on to be both fascinating and scary in some parts. The author plays into how the reader perceives David in the first place. Even though the characters are from the same stories, it's like its being told all over again. you get a more in-depth view of the man behind the history. It will keep you on your toes as you follow the adventure. I would categorize it more of fantasy or even sci-fi genre more so than anything. It was a fun read, and enlighting.
That being said, I found the journey David was on to be both fascinating and scary in some parts. The author plays into how the reader perceives David in the first place. Even though the characters are from the same stories, it's like its being told all over again. you get a more in-depth view of the man behind the history. It will keep you on your toes as you follow the adventure. I would categorize it more of fantasy or even sci-fi genre more so than anything. It was a fun read, and enlighting.
November 3, 2018
The life of David, one of the most important people in Jewish religious history, revealed.
The author, Rob Levinson was born in a Gypsy clan in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, unusually he was given up for adoption, however it was his adopted parents who raised him into a tradition of literature and encouraged is early writing talents. He was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to explore the world, and it was as a young man that his fascination with the story of David was born. From then on this interest evolved, culminating in his studying the writing of historical fiction. This amazing book is the result of his passion for David and his life, and in it he transports his reader back into ancient times, as he offers them his version of the life of David, one of the most important figures in Jewish religious history.
The content is written as a fictional biography, containing some biblical references, however it is written very much as a historical fiction story, not a preachy biblical tome. This wonderful tale grabbed my interest from the very first page, and kept it throughout. This was because of the author’s great ability to describe scenes and characters in such detail, and bring them to life before your very eyes. I quickly found myself settling into the story and taking up the author’s invitation to step with him into the past and get real feel for life in those far distant times.
At each turn of the page more of David’s story is revealed, from his birth growing up through his childhood, his life as a shepherd, and his adventures until he became King of Israel. His journey was a hard one, very dark and twisted at times, however the insight it gives us into Old Testament life are priceless. Through his eyes we live through harsh living conditions, the dangers of travelling, and learn about the hard lives of the poor people living with the terrible disease leprosy. With him we experience desert sand storms, terrible battles, and much more. However, for David, as for us all, it is these life lessons which character build and formed him into the man he became, instilling in him important values, morals and strengthening his ideals.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, geography or just like to read a thoroughly entertaining story by an author who has the ability to transport you to another time and place, you are sure to enjoy The Leper Messiah.
Merged review:
The life of David, one of the most important people in Jewish religious history, revealed.
The author, Rob Levinson was born and raised in Israel, and it was as a young man that his fascination with the story of David was born. From then on this interest evolved, culminating in his studying the writing of historical fiction. This amazing book is the result of his passion for David and his life, and in it he transports his reader back into ancient times, as he offers them his version of the life of David, one of the most important figures in Jewish religious history.
The content is written as a fictional biography, containing some biblical references, however it is written very much as a historical fiction story, not a preachy biblical tomb. This wonderful tale grabbed my interest from the very first page, and kept it throughout. This was because of the author’s great ability to describe scenes and characters in such detail, and bring them to life before your very eyes. I quickly found myself settling into the story and taking up the author’s invitation to step with him into the past and get real feel for life in those far distant times.
At each turn of the page more of David’s story is revealed, from his birth growing up through his childhood, his life as a shepherd, and his adventures until he became King of Israel. His journey was a hard one, very dark and twisted at times, however the insight it gives us into Old Testament life are priceless. Through his eyes we live through harsh living conditions, the dangers of travelling, and learn about the hard lives of the poor people living with the terrible disease leprosy. With him we experience desert sand storms, terrible battles, and much more. However, for David, as for us all, it is these life lessons which character build and formed him into the man he became, instilling in him important values, morals and strengthening his ideals.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, geography or just like to read a thoroughly entertaining story by an author who has the ability to transport you to another time and place, you are sure to enjoy The Leper Messiah.
The author, Rob Levinson was born in a Gypsy clan in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, unusually he was given up for adoption, however it was his adopted parents who raised him into a tradition of literature and encouraged is early writing talents. He was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to explore the world, and it was as a young man that his fascination with the story of David was born. From then on this interest evolved, culminating in his studying the writing of historical fiction. This amazing book is the result of his passion for David and his life, and in it he transports his reader back into ancient times, as he offers them his version of the life of David, one of the most important figures in Jewish religious history.
The content is written as a fictional biography, containing some biblical references, however it is written very much as a historical fiction story, not a preachy biblical tome. This wonderful tale grabbed my interest from the very first page, and kept it throughout. This was because of the author’s great ability to describe scenes and characters in such detail, and bring them to life before your very eyes. I quickly found myself settling into the story and taking up the author’s invitation to step with him into the past and get real feel for life in those far distant times.
At each turn of the page more of David’s story is revealed, from his birth growing up through his childhood, his life as a shepherd, and his adventures until he became King of Israel. His journey was a hard one, very dark and twisted at times, however the insight it gives us into Old Testament life are priceless. Through his eyes we live through harsh living conditions, the dangers of travelling, and learn about the hard lives of the poor people living with the terrible disease leprosy. With him we experience desert sand storms, terrible battles, and much more. However, for David, as for us all, it is these life lessons which character build and formed him into the man he became, instilling in him important values, morals and strengthening his ideals.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, geography or just like to read a thoroughly entertaining story by an author who has the ability to transport you to another time and place, you are sure to enjoy The Leper Messiah.
Merged review:
The life of David, one of the most important people in Jewish religious history, revealed.
The author, Rob Levinson was born and raised in Israel, and it was as a young man that his fascination with the story of David was born. From then on this interest evolved, culminating in his studying the writing of historical fiction. This amazing book is the result of his passion for David and his life, and in it he transports his reader back into ancient times, as he offers them his version of the life of David, one of the most important figures in Jewish religious history.
The content is written as a fictional biography, containing some biblical references, however it is written very much as a historical fiction story, not a preachy biblical tomb. This wonderful tale grabbed my interest from the very first page, and kept it throughout. This was because of the author’s great ability to describe scenes and characters in such detail, and bring them to life before your very eyes. I quickly found myself settling into the story and taking up the author’s invitation to step with him into the past and get real feel for life in those far distant times.
At each turn of the page more of David’s story is revealed, from his birth growing up through his childhood, his life as a shepherd, and his adventures until he became King of Israel. His journey was a hard one, very dark and twisted at times, however the insight it gives us into Old Testament life are priceless. Through his eyes we live through harsh living conditions, the dangers of travelling, and learn about the hard lives of the poor people living with the terrible disease leprosy. With him we experience desert sand storms, terrible battles, and much more. However, for David, as for us all, it is these life lessons which character build and formed him into the man he became, instilling in him important values, morals and strengthening his ideals.
Whether you are interested in religion, history, geography or just like to read a thoroughly entertaining story by an author who has the ability to transport you to another time and place, you are sure to enjoy The Leper Messiah.
March 15, 2019
A Dark and Brooding Look at the Life of King David
I’ll admit it – I’m a Bible nerd. I’ve read it. I’ve read countless books and articles about it. I even watch bible movies. I feel like the stories in the Bible give us a series of vivid snapshots of the world at the birth of our modern civilization. And one of the most iconic characters in the Bible is David, the holy but deeply flawed King of the Israelites.
So you have to know that Rob Levinson’s book, “The Leper Messiah,” is right up my alley. Levinson has gone into the realm of historical fiction to explore the childhood and ascent of David, from shepherd boy to arguably the first recorded example of a King ordained by God.
The tone of the book is dark and often brooding, with an often sinister undertone of mysticism running throughout. Life is gritty and dangerous for David, Kings Saul, his brothers, and the rest of the Israelites and their enemies. The story of David and Goliath, possibly the most cliché laden story of all time, is told in a very different, startlingly raw and realistic context.
I don’t believe “The Leper Messiah” is intended to necessarily be a religious work, but I think many religiously-inclined people will thoroughly enjoy it. If you want to walk a few miles in the sandals of a king who lived a thousand years before the birth of Christ, you will enjoy this book.
I’ll admit it – I’m a Bible nerd. I’ve read it. I’ve read countless books and articles about it. I even watch bible movies. I feel like the stories in the Bible give us a series of vivid snapshots of the world at the birth of our modern civilization. And one of the most iconic characters in the Bible is David, the holy but deeply flawed King of the Israelites.
So you have to know that Rob Levinson’s book, “The Leper Messiah,” is right up my alley. Levinson has gone into the realm of historical fiction to explore the childhood and ascent of David, from shepherd boy to arguably the first recorded example of a King ordained by God.
The tone of the book is dark and often brooding, with an often sinister undertone of mysticism running throughout. Life is gritty and dangerous for David, Kings Saul, his brothers, and the rest of the Israelites and their enemies. The story of David and Goliath, possibly the most cliché laden story of all time, is told in a very different, startlingly raw and realistic context.
I don’t believe “The Leper Messiah” is intended to necessarily be a religious work, but I think many religiously-inclined people will thoroughly enjoy it. If you want to walk a few miles in the sandals of a king who lived a thousand years before the birth of Christ, you will enjoy this book.
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September 22, 2018The first thing I want to disclose is that this is a religious book in nature as I know that's not for everyone. It is also dark in nature so if that's not something you enjoy it may not be the book for you. It focuses on David (yes from David & Goliath - a story just about everyone knows), from his birth up to when he becomes King. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book since I'm not particularly religious in nature but even I enjoyed this.
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