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Biblical Fiction
A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther
Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman, becomes the wife of the Persian king, Ahasuerus, but when the king is tricked into persecuting the Jews by his minister she feels she must reveal the truth about her identity and save her people.
372 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2011
75 people are currently reading
2651 people want to read
About the author
Joan Wolf
100 books368 followersJoan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
August 23, 2016
I would have to say that growing up, the story of the biblical Esther was one of my favorite parts of the bible. Over the years, I have read various re-tellings and adaptations written by multiple authors about Esther. Each bent on providing their own insights into why this story is deeply important in Judeo-Christian tradition. A Reluctant Queen is an interesting departure because Joan Wolf is more focused on telling the "Cinderella" love story of the young Jewish girl that captures the eye and the heart of a powerful Persian king. In doing so, JW turns this story into something that barely resembles the original biblical story. I'm not altogether comfortable with the author's need to "tinker" with what already exists of a beautiful and important story.
On the other hand, if I step back and distance myself from the accuracy problem, I felt the book had the right ingredients of a masterfully told story. JW sets out to tell a love story and she produces a beautifully written fairytale sheen. There is a great host of strong secondary characters and a satisfactory conclusion to the story.
On the other hand, if I step back and distance myself from the accuracy problem, I felt the book had the right ingredients of a masterfully told story. JW sets out to tell a love story and she produces a beautifully written fairytale sheen. There is a great host of strong secondary characters and a satisfactory conclusion to the story.
June 9, 2011
The story of Esther is one of the most compelling, inspiring stories in the Old Testament. The tale of a young, ordinary Jewish girl who rises to become a Queen, and subsequently the savior of her people, is rich with dramatic – and romantic, if you’re a die-hard romantic like myself – possibilities. In A Reluctant Queen, author Joan Wolf attempts to bring a fresh take to the idea of a love story between Esther and her king. Wolf introduces Esther while she’s still living with Mordecai, and follows her through her culture shock introduction to the royal harem and the beauty regimens that prepared her for her introduction to the king, whose favor put her in a position to change the fate of her people.
Biblical fiction can be a tricky genre. What I look for in biblical fiction is a firm grounding in scripture that expands on what is known, and breathes fresh life into “bare bones” of the characters we meet on the page, reminding the reader that they were once flesh-and-blood humans like ourselves. A Reluctant Queen falls short in that regard, serving as more of a rewritten than retold version of the Esther story, with several unaccountable alterations to the scriptural basis for Esther’s story that robs the tale of a great portion of its dramatic impact.
To begin with, Esther is referred to as Esther, and not Hadassah (her Jewish name) from the start of the novel. Wolf also reinvents Esther’s parentage, asserting that while her mother was Jewish, her father was a Persian cavalryman, a possibility contradicted by Esther 2:15, which states that her father was Abihail, Mordecai’s uncle and therefore a Jew. By making Esther half Persian - notwithstanding the fact that she would be considered Jewish since that is transferred through the mother’s line - the impact of her status as a hidden Jewess in the king’s court is dramatically lessened. Mordecai is also transformed from Esther’s kindly cousin into a manipulative, almost conniving uncle, which forcibly strikes me as a complete misreading of his character and role in Esther’s story. In A Reluctant Queen, when Queen Vashti is deposed, a “competition” to win the king’s favor is established. Mordecai, concerned that the king’s closest friend Haman is an Edomite (a long-standing enemy of the Jewish people), decides to take pre-emptive action and enter Esther in the competition to become Queen. Should she win, she would then gain the king’s ear and could serve as an undercover advocate for the Jewish people. There are major problems with this plot twist, though, not the least of which is the fact that according to the scriptures, Esther had no choice in the matter – she was “taken to the king’s palace” (Esther 2:8) well prior to Haman’s elevation to a position of power in the Persian government. Having Esther’s closest family member essentially guilt trip her into seeking the king’s favor – well prior to anything actually threatening the Jewish people in the novel – screams of paranoia and unnecessary manipulation, distasteful qualities that negatively alter the tone and impact Esther’s rise to favor in the palace has in the biblical text.
Speaking of Haman, he is constantly referred to throughout the novel as an Edomite or “the Palestinian,” and he has a severe inferiority complex based on relatives of the king resenting his position of favor. Wolf also gives Haman a distractingly unhealthy obsession with receiving and maintaining the king’s favor, positing that simple jealousy over the king’s marriage and the later favor bestowed on Mordecai for uncovering an assassination plot are the reasons for his attack against the Jewish people as a whole. In scripture, Haman is referred to as “the Agagite” (Esther 3:1), likely denoting him as a descendant of Agag, king of the Amaleks (1 Samuel 15:20). The Amalekites, specifically, are long-standing enemies of the Jews, and in Deuteronomy 25:19, the Lord instructs Israel to “blot out the memory of Amalek,” setting the stage for long-standing enmity between the two groups, a richly dramatic possibility that remains sadly revised and glossed over in A Reluctant Queen. The decision to make Haman’s driving motivation for hatred toward the Jews jealousy over the loss of the king’s favor denigrates the historical potency of the Jewish/Amalek conflict in scripture and reduces Haman to a sniveling, misunderstood mess of a character instead of the villain of the piece.
The king in question is Ahasuerus in Wolf’s novel – more commonly referred to as Xerxes in the Bible and historical record. Inexplicably A Reluctant Queen chooses to ignore generally accepted record that Ahasuerus and Xerxes were, in fact, the same individual, instead placing the crown on a fictional Ahasuerus’s head and making Xerxes his younger brother. In the Author’s Note it’s implied that the king in scripture isn’t admirable enough to be a romantic hero; however, I would argue that this alteration to the historical record unnecessarily muddies the storyline. Enough is left unknown about Xerxes in the scriptures that inventing a brother isn’t required. I also question the believability of a king in Ahasuerus’s position allowing his wife to largely dismantle his harem because he’s tired of the drama that goes along with it. On the plus side, the Ahasuerus of the novel is an ideal romantic hero – it’s easy to see how Esther can’t help but fall in love with her husband.
The character of Esther is nicely drawn in this novel. Wolf succeeds in letting us see her human frailty – the fear at losing her home and being thrust into a wholly foreign lifestyle is compellingly portrayed. I really enjoyed Esther’s compassionate heart and her interactions with the servants who eventually become close friends and allies. As a humble outsider, unused to the constraints of court life, it’s easy to imagine how mind-blowing the rules imposed on eunuchs and harem girls would appear to the uninitiated. I do wish that less time had been devoted to Esther’s angst over concealing her Jewish identity from Ahasuerus, instead of cutting pivotal plot elements, such as her fasting from three days to one and only a single banquet with Ahasuerus and Haman instead of two. Esther’s role in scripture and Jewish history is an amazing one, and while I appreciate some exploration of her understandable fear at stepping out in faith to save her people, I wish there’d been a greater adherence to the actual account of events that led Esther to fulfill her destiny “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The peril faced by the Jews in the Book of Esther is drastically reduced in the novel, somewhat minimizing Esther’s remarkable actions – instead of a decree allowing Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:11), with risks taken and costs exacted, A Reluctant Queen ties everything up with a neat bow, handily canceling out the peril faced by Esther & her people.
A Reluctant Queen is a fast-paced novel, with a bit too much reliance on “padding” or wholesale rewriting the biblical framework within which it purports Esther’s love story to occur. I enjoyed Wolf’s fleshed-out vision of Esther the woman, caught up in events wildly out of her control. I also think it was a wise call to compress the timeline of scriptural events (though that does raise the question of why some biblical events were omitted in favor of fictional padding). Esther is an engaging character, and the fictional Ahasuerus honorable and swoon-worthy. The elements of a love story are there, but it’s not necessary to sacrifice panoramic drama and intrigue that make Esther’s story so memorable. I really wanted to love this novel, but this reimagining of Esther’s story would benefit from a greater reliance on the source material. Occasionally cumbersome prose and stilted dialogue slows the narrative’s pace, and with a setting that feels like a generic historical, instead of Persian-specific, detracts from full immersion in the storyline. But the genesis of a fascinating love story is found within A Reluctant Queen’s pages, and with a tighter focus and a solidly established framework from the biblical text, Wolf’s next foray into biblical fiction could be a satisfying addition to the genre.
Biblical fiction can be a tricky genre. What I look for in biblical fiction is a firm grounding in scripture that expands on what is known, and breathes fresh life into “bare bones” of the characters we meet on the page, reminding the reader that they were once flesh-and-blood humans like ourselves. A Reluctant Queen falls short in that regard, serving as more of a rewritten than retold version of the Esther story, with several unaccountable alterations to the scriptural basis for Esther’s story that robs the tale of a great portion of its dramatic impact.
To begin with, Esther is referred to as Esther, and not Hadassah (her Jewish name) from the start of the novel. Wolf also reinvents Esther’s parentage, asserting that while her mother was Jewish, her father was a Persian cavalryman, a possibility contradicted by Esther 2:15, which states that her father was Abihail, Mordecai’s uncle and therefore a Jew. By making Esther half Persian - notwithstanding the fact that she would be considered Jewish since that is transferred through the mother’s line - the impact of her status as a hidden Jewess in the king’s court is dramatically lessened. Mordecai is also transformed from Esther’s kindly cousin into a manipulative, almost conniving uncle, which forcibly strikes me as a complete misreading of his character and role in Esther’s story. In A Reluctant Queen, when Queen Vashti is deposed, a “competition” to win the king’s favor is established. Mordecai, concerned that the king’s closest friend Haman is an Edomite (a long-standing enemy of the Jewish people), decides to take pre-emptive action and enter Esther in the competition to become Queen. Should she win, she would then gain the king’s ear and could serve as an undercover advocate for the Jewish people. There are major problems with this plot twist, though, not the least of which is the fact that according to the scriptures, Esther had no choice in the matter – she was “taken to the king’s palace” (Esther 2:8) well prior to Haman’s elevation to a position of power in the Persian government. Having Esther’s closest family member essentially guilt trip her into seeking the king’s favor – well prior to anything actually threatening the Jewish people in the novel – screams of paranoia and unnecessary manipulation, distasteful qualities that negatively alter the tone and impact Esther’s rise to favor in the palace has in the biblical text.
Speaking of Haman, he is constantly referred to throughout the novel as an Edomite or “the Palestinian,” and he has a severe inferiority complex based on relatives of the king resenting his position of favor. Wolf also gives Haman a distractingly unhealthy obsession with receiving and maintaining the king’s favor, positing that simple jealousy over the king’s marriage and the later favor bestowed on Mordecai for uncovering an assassination plot are the reasons for his attack against the Jewish people as a whole. In scripture, Haman is referred to as “the Agagite” (Esther 3:1), likely denoting him as a descendant of Agag, king of the Amaleks (1 Samuel 15:20). The Amalekites, specifically, are long-standing enemies of the Jews, and in Deuteronomy 25:19, the Lord instructs Israel to “blot out the memory of Amalek,” setting the stage for long-standing enmity between the two groups, a richly dramatic possibility that remains sadly revised and glossed over in A Reluctant Queen. The decision to make Haman’s driving motivation for hatred toward the Jews jealousy over the loss of the king’s favor denigrates the historical potency of the Jewish/Amalek conflict in scripture and reduces Haman to a sniveling, misunderstood mess of a character instead of the villain of the piece.
The king in question is Ahasuerus in Wolf’s novel – more commonly referred to as Xerxes in the Bible and historical record. Inexplicably A Reluctant Queen chooses to ignore generally accepted record that Ahasuerus and Xerxes were, in fact, the same individual, instead placing the crown on a fictional Ahasuerus’s head and making Xerxes his younger brother. In the Author’s Note it’s implied that the king in scripture isn’t admirable enough to be a romantic hero; however, I would argue that this alteration to the historical record unnecessarily muddies the storyline. Enough is left unknown about Xerxes in the scriptures that inventing a brother isn’t required. I also question the believability of a king in Ahasuerus’s position allowing his wife to largely dismantle his harem because he’s tired of the drama that goes along with it. On the plus side, the Ahasuerus of the novel is an ideal romantic hero – it’s easy to see how Esther can’t help but fall in love with her husband.
The character of Esther is nicely drawn in this novel. Wolf succeeds in letting us see her human frailty – the fear at losing her home and being thrust into a wholly foreign lifestyle is compellingly portrayed. I really enjoyed Esther’s compassionate heart and her interactions with the servants who eventually become close friends and allies. As a humble outsider, unused to the constraints of court life, it’s easy to imagine how mind-blowing the rules imposed on eunuchs and harem girls would appear to the uninitiated. I do wish that less time had been devoted to Esther’s angst over concealing her Jewish identity from Ahasuerus, instead of cutting pivotal plot elements, such as her fasting from three days to one and only a single banquet with Ahasuerus and Haman instead of two. Esther’s role in scripture and Jewish history is an amazing one, and while I appreciate some exploration of her understandable fear at stepping out in faith to save her people, I wish there’d been a greater adherence to the actual account of events that led Esther to fulfill her destiny “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The peril faced by the Jews in the Book of Esther is drastically reduced in the novel, somewhat minimizing Esther’s remarkable actions – instead of a decree allowing Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:11), with risks taken and costs exacted, A Reluctant Queen ties everything up with a neat bow, handily canceling out the peril faced by Esther & her people.
A Reluctant Queen is a fast-paced novel, with a bit too much reliance on “padding” or wholesale rewriting the biblical framework within which it purports Esther’s love story to occur. I enjoyed Wolf’s fleshed-out vision of Esther the woman, caught up in events wildly out of her control. I also think it was a wise call to compress the timeline of scriptural events (though that does raise the question of why some biblical events were omitted in favor of fictional padding). Esther is an engaging character, and the fictional Ahasuerus honorable and swoon-worthy. The elements of a love story are there, but it’s not necessary to sacrifice panoramic drama and intrigue that make Esther’s story so memorable. I really wanted to love this novel, but this reimagining of Esther’s story would benefit from a greater reliance on the source material. Occasionally cumbersome prose and stilted dialogue slows the narrative’s pace, and with a setting that feels like a generic historical, instead of Persian-specific, detracts from full immersion in the storyline. But the genesis of a fascinating love story is found within A Reluctant Queen’s pages, and with a tighter focus and a solidly established framework from the biblical text, Wolf’s next foray into biblical fiction could be a satisfying addition to the genre.
May 31, 2011
"You've read it as a Biblical tale of courage. Experience it anew as a heart-stirring love story.
The beloved story of Esther springs to fresh life in this inspired novel that vibrates with mystery, intrigue and romance."
The book of Esther is unique. God places a young minority woman in a place to do His work, yet He isn't mentioned once. There's a marriage to a king, a threat of death, and a definite villain. This novel has all those elements. So, what's the problem?
There isn't one problem with this book, there are several. The first is on page two, where I immediately noticed the author hadn't done her homework. While the king's name is the Biblical Ahasuerus, Wolf gives him a brother called Xerxes. Except most theologians and Biblical historians agree that they're the same person. Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name for Xerxes, just as Esther is the Persian name for Hadassah. Worse is that in her author's note at the end, she writes, "Historically, there is no king called Ahasuerus." This is a tricky issue; as Christians, we can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible are true and which are not.
Then, there's Mordecai. Here, he comes off as thoroughly manipulative and generally not a character to be liked. There is no mention of his time in sackcloth and ashes as described at the beginning of chapter 4. Therefore, Esther finds out about the plot to kill the Jews through someone else. Wolf also gets wrong the relationship between Esther and Mordecai. He was not her uncle; Esther 2:7 describes her as "his uncle's daughter," in some translations, and "his cousin" in others. Finally, nowhere in the Bible can I find any indication that Esther was half-Persian as Wolf describes.
To be honest, Wolf changes so much that this novel read more like a plagiarized version of the book of Esther than an interpretation of it. There are more differences than I've written about here, and they're so major they jump out to anyone who has read or studied Esther. Even the most famous line of all is missing. "If I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)
If you want a love story and you're not bothered by historical or Biblical accuracy, you may enjoy this book. I believe such details are important, especially when it comes to the Bible. I mentioned some of the differences to a couple of ladies at my Bible study group and they were horrified to think that certain details could be ignored. I donate a lot of the books I review to my church's library. A Reluctant Queen will not be one of those books.
I received my free copy of A Reluctant Queen from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.
The beloved story of Esther springs to fresh life in this inspired novel that vibrates with mystery, intrigue and romance."
The book of Esther is unique. God places a young minority woman in a place to do His work, yet He isn't mentioned once. There's a marriage to a king, a threat of death, and a definite villain. This novel has all those elements. So, what's the problem?
There isn't one problem with this book, there are several. The first is on page two, where I immediately noticed the author hadn't done her homework. While the king's name is the Biblical Ahasuerus, Wolf gives him a brother called Xerxes. Except most theologians and Biblical historians agree that they're the same person. Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name for Xerxes, just as Esther is the Persian name for Hadassah. Worse is that in her author's note at the end, she writes, "Historically, there is no king called Ahasuerus." This is a tricky issue; as Christians, we can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible are true and which are not.
Then, there's Mordecai. Here, he comes off as thoroughly manipulative and generally not a character to be liked. There is no mention of his time in sackcloth and ashes as described at the beginning of chapter 4. Therefore, Esther finds out about the plot to kill the Jews through someone else. Wolf also gets wrong the relationship between Esther and Mordecai. He was not her uncle; Esther 2:7 describes her as "his uncle's daughter," in some translations, and "his cousin" in others. Finally, nowhere in the Bible can I find any indication that Esther was half-Persian as Wolf describes.
To be honest, Wolf changes so much that this novel read more like a plagiarized version of the book of Esther than an interpretation of it. There are more differences than I've written about here, and they're so major they jump out to anyone who has read or studied Esther. Even the most famous line of all is missing. "If I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16)
If you want a love story and you're not bothered by historical or Biblical accuracy, you may enjoy this book. I believe such details are important, especially when it comes to the Bible. I mentioned some of the differences to a couple of ladies at my Bible study group and they were horrified to think that certain details could be ignored. I donate a lot of the books I review to my church's library. A Reluctant Queen will not be one of those books.
I received my free copy of A Reluctant Queen from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2013
A creampuff of a novel that tries to take a Jewish story and make it somewhat Christian. The writing is leaden and slow, the author mangles most of the story (Esther's real name is never given, she eats pork (!!!), the real reason that Haman wants to kill all the Jews, the king rewarding Mordecai, blah, blah, blah, blah). A real snoozer and not worth the time and effort to find or read. Not recommended, and just barely three stars.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Joan_W...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Joan_W...
August 12, 2016
3.5 stars. I'm kind of a sucker for Esther stories! It's one of my favorite Bible stories. Love and and a powerhouse queen-what's not to like?!
Erika's Amazon Link
Erika's Amazon Link
November 12, 2011
Raised a Roman Catholic, I have read many parts of the Bible, enrolled in a Bible School, and endured Christian Living classes. Esther, along with the other courageous women in the Bible, has a special place in my heart as a heroine who loves her people and sticks up to her faith in God.
So, when I discovered A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther through Booksneeze, I was thrilled! Not often do I come across fiction books with biblical characters. I must point out, though, that this treasure find is a fictional story, but it is very believable that it could readily be the actual story of the Old Testament in the Bible itself.
To save her people from a massacre prophesied through a dream by her uncle, Esther joined King Ahasuerus’ search for a wife. She, a daughter of an Achaemenid soldier and a Jew, is chosen among the scores of “well-connected” girls. As the Great King’s wife, she has the advantage of keeping the massacre far from happening. What she does not count to happen, and so does King Ahasuerus, is that they would fall in love with each other. But it’s a love that is tested by internal and external factors. For one, Esther is a Jew and she has lied to her husband about it, and the king’s trusted right hand, Haman, is plotting a scheme that will force Esther to reveal her true identity in order to save her people.
I really love the way Esther is presented as a God-fearing human being first and then as a Jew. Despite her faults that are still rampant among women today, Esther’s strength and faith in God shine through. If you were a Jew during her time with a faith so devout, would you go up the aisle earnestly to marry a Persian king? I don’t think so. Esther feels the same way. At first, she is a walking interrogation room, oftentimes questioning God if this is His will for her.
One of her personal prayers (Esther does a lot of talking to herself) is: “Father in Heaven, let me be rejected so my uncle will realize how impossible this plan of his really is. Let me be rejected so the way will be open for the true savior of our people to show himself.” But no, God did not heed this prayer, because He has a plan for her and her people.
This is the premise that the novel and the Book of Esther in the Bible share—God wants His people to work with Him in carrying out His plan for the world and, even though they have the free will to accept or refuse Him, they should listen to Him and open their hearts for Him to use them for His purposes. Admirably, through Esther, the author illustrated this premise well.
There are several variations, though, of the story in comparison with the story in the Bible. I cannot blame Joan Wolf for this. In fact, I appreciated her for taking the necessary risk to provide the characters reasons for acting the way they did. I appreciated her more for explaining these at the end of her novel. The Bible never quite stated clearly reasons for the things happening the way they are; it stated clearly what is evil and what is not. Joan, though, admirably linked her made-up reasons well to create a masterpiece. She even went far as to create a new character not found in the Bible and put him—very naturally—in the history of the vast Persian Empire.
Another thing I love about Esther is her humor—smartass and intentionally outspoken if in a humiliating situation, smart yet shy if in good spirits. As an example, when she was being “checked” during her application for the Great King’s search of a wife, for Esther, the eunuch “sounds as if he’s discussing a horse”. Another is the scene when she said she would “dearly love” to see her husband sitting cross-legged around a campfire to talk with the ordinary people about their problems.
Speaking of King Ahasuerus, his marriage to Esther is a match made in Heaven. But the revelation of Esther’s identity will greatly challenge that match.
Now if you are looking for a heavy historical fiction, then A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther is not for you. In this book, Joan’s writing style is simple, contemporary, and light, which I liked very much, given that the Bible is written quite simply such that even the children could understand it.
The author did her homework and presented her readers the richness of several cultures in one kingdom and how the characters reacted to other cultures. For instance, Esther and her friend Rachel “looked at each other in mutual recognition of their own superiority to the pitiful Persian women who had not been lucky enough to be born Jews” (Chapter 2). That sure made me smile!
I learned something new, too. Since my Christian Living classes were limited to reading the Bible, I never get to learn the surrounding historical facts by heart, such as the fact that most of the “population of Susa laboriously washed and cooled themselves with a basin and a washcloth” because “Persians…believed that rivers were sacred” and “no one was allowed to bathe in them”; “the use of river water was permitted only after it had been removed from its natural flow”. Also, Joan described the beauty regimen of the women more than the Bible and well, I got some tips (LOL)!
I enjoyed reading A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther so much I’m going to give it my five stars with thumbs up and a little prayer that more will take it up to read and enjoy as well.
From my blog, http://www.nancycudis.com
So, when I discovered A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther through Booksneeze, I was thrilled! Not often do I come across fiction books with biblical characters. I must point out, though, that this treasure find is a fictional story, but it is very believable that it could readily be the actual story of the Old Testament in the Bible itself.
To save her people from a massacre prophesied through a dream by her uncle, Esther joined King Ahasuerus’ search for a wife. She, a daughter of an Achaemenid soldier and a Jew, is chosen among the scores of “well-connected” girls. As the Great King’s wife, she has the advantage of keeping the massacre far from happening. What she does not count to happen, and so does King Ahasuerus, is that they would fall in love with each other. But it’s a love that is tested by internal and external factors. For one, Esther is a Jew and she has lied to her husband about it, and the king’s trusted right hand, Haman, is plotting a scheme that will force Esther to reveal her true identity in order to save her people.
I really love the way Esther is presented as a God-fearing human being first and then as a Jew. Despite her faults that are still rampant among women today, Esther’s strength and faith in God shine through. If you were a Jew during her time with a faith so devout, would you go up the aisle earnestly to marry a Persian king? I don’t think so. Esther feels the same way. At first, she is a walking interrogation room, oftentimes questioning God if this is His will for her.
One of her personal prayers (Esther does a lot of talking to herself) is: “Father in Heaven, let me be rejected so my uncle will realize how impossible this plan of his really is. Let me be rejected so the way will be open for the true savior of our people to show himself.” But no, God did not heed this prayer, because He has a plan for her and her people.
This is the premise that the novel and the Book of Esther in the Bible share—God wants His people to work with Him in carrying out His plan for the world and, even though they have the free will to accept or refuse Him, they should listen to Him and open their hearts for Him to use them for His purposes. Admirably, through Esther, the author illustrated this premise well.
There are several variations, though, of the story in comparison with the story in the Bible. I cannot blame Joan Wolf for this. In fact, I appreciated her for taking the necessary risk to provide the characters reasons for acting the way they did. I appreciated her more for explaining these at the end of her novel. The Bible never quite stated clearly reasons for the things happening the way they are; it stated clearly what is evil and what is not. Joan, though, admirably linked her made-up reasons well to create a masterpiece. She even went far as to create a new character not found in the Bible and put him—very naturally—in the history of the vast Persian Empire.
Another thing I love about Esther is her humor—smartass and intentionally outspoken if in a humiliating situation, smart yet shy if in good spirits. As an example, when she was being “checked” during her application for the Great King’s search of a wife, for Esther, the eunuch “sounds as if he’s discussing a horse”. Another is the scene when she said she would “dearly love” to see her husband sitting cross-legged around a campfire to talk with the ordinary people about their problems.
Speaking of King Ahasuerus, his marriage to Esther is a match made in Heaven. But the revelation of Esther’s identity will greatly challenge that match.
Now if you are looking for a heavy historical fiction, then A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther is not for you. In this book, Joan’s writing style is simple, contemporary, and light, which I liked very much, given that the Bible is written quite simply such that even the children could understand it.
The author did her homework and presented her readers the richness of several cultures in one kingdom and how the characters reacted to other cultures. For instance, Esther and her friend Rachel “looked at each other in mutual recognition of their own superiority to the pitiful Persian women who had not been lucky enough to be born Jews” (Chapter 2). That sure made me smile!
I learned something new, too. Since my Christian Living classes were limited to reading the Bible, I never get to learn the surrounding historical facts by heart, such as the fact that most of the “population of Susa laboriously washed and cooled themselves with a basin and a washcloth” because “Persians…believed that rivers were sacred” and “no one was allowed to bathe in them”; “the use of river water was permitted only after it had been removed from its natural flow”. Also, Joan described the beauty regimen of the women more than the Bible and well, I got some tips (LOL)!
I enjoyed reading A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther so much I’m going to give it my five stars with thumbs up and a little prayer that more will take it up to read and enjoy as well.
From my blog, http://www.nancycudis.com
March 9, 2025
A lot in this "version" of Esther by this author, was historically incorrect.
More of a historical romance, with "inspirational elements"
Was ok, I guess after watching "A Night With The King" it just couldn't match that.
Just IMO.
More of a historical romance, with "inspirational elements"
Was ok, I guess after watching "A Night With The King" it just couldn't match that.
Just IMO.
August 19, 2014
Wallis Simpson. Guinevere. Diana. Kate Middleton. For some reason, royal romance is particularly enthralling to many of us. Though I must admit that I didn’t watch the most recent royal wedding, I have enjoyed playing princess in my imagination a time or two. One of my favorite royal stories brings to mind this verse . . .
“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever He wishes.” ~Proverbs 21:1~
These words remind me of Esther, a Jewish girl whose beauty God used to capture the attention–and maybe the heart–of a Persian king. Instead of marrying and raising a family, she was forced into the ranks of the harem and then promoted to become a queen. From this key position, God used her to influence royal policy and save His chosen people. I love reading versions of her story!
In A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther, Joan Wolf uses Esther’s life as a foundation but changes the details to focus on Esther’s relationship with Ahasuerus, the Great King of the Persians. As I read this version, I missed some of the historical aspects that make Esther’s story significant to our spiritual heritage. However, the love story is beautiful. For me, watching the noble hero woo his pure-of-heart bride always brings to mind God’s pursuit of His bride, the church.
Joan Wolf portrays Ahasuerus as a good and just man of conscience, who only follows royal ways because it helps him rule his country. Because of his growing love for Esther, he makes changes in the way things are done in his court. In reality, I doubt many pagan kings would’ve so quickly spurned the harem and settled into quiet family life with their true love, but it worked for me! I also enjoyed the secondary characters—the eunuchs, slaves, and harem women who befriended and supported Esther. We know her life made a difference in matters of state, so why not imagine how she might have affected the individuals around her?
The change I found most difficult to get past concerned the character of Mordecai. The book presents Mordecai as someone who uses Esther to fulfill his own purposes and instigates a competition with Haman, holding a personal grudge against him. Yet the Bible presents Haman as a mortal enemy of God’s chosen people and Mordecai as a devout man who visited Esther everyday, held fast to the Torah, and refused to bow before anyone but Yahweh. In spite of that change, A Reluctant Queen is a story I’ll save to read again.
“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever He wishes.” ~Proverbs 21:1~
These words remind me of Esther, a Jewish girl whose beauty God used to capture the attention–and maybe the heart–of a Persian king. Instead of marrying and raising a family, she was forced into the ranks of the harem and then promoted to become a queen. From this key position, God used her to influence royal policy and save His chosen people. I love reading versions of her story!
In A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther, Joan Wolf uses Esther’s life as a foundation but changes the details to focus on Esther’s relationship with Ahasuerus, the Great King of the Persians. As I read this version, I missed some of the historical aspects that make Esther’s story significant to our spiritual heritage. However, the love story is beautiful. For me, watching the noble hero woo his pure-of-heart bride always brings to mind God’s pursuit of His bride, the church.
Joan Wolf portrays Ahasuerus as a good and just man of conscience, who only follows royal ways because it helps him rule his country. Because of his growing love for Esther, he makes changes in the way things are done in his court. In reality, I doubt many pagan kings would’ve so quickly spurned the harem and settled into quiet family life with their true love, but it worked for me! I also enjoyed the secondary characters—the eunuchs, slaves, and harem women who befriended and supported Esther. We know her life made a difference in matters of state, so why not imagine how she might have affected the individuals around her?
The change I found most difficult to get past concerned the character of Mordecai. The book presents Mordecai as someone who uses Esther to fulfill his own purposes and instigates a competition with Haman, holding a personal grudge against him. Yet the Bible presents Haman as a mortal enemy of God’s chosen people and Mordecai as a devout man who visited Esther everyday, held fast to the Torah, and refused to bow before anyone but Yahweh. In spite of that change, A Reluctant Queen is a story I’ll save to read again.
June 16, 2011
The book of Esther in the Bible has always been a book I longed for more of.. more detail, more insight into the times, more depth to the story. Joan Wolf has taken the book of Esther, created a scene rich in history and added dynamic characters to satisfy our imaginations as readers.
Esther had a Jewish mother and a Persian father. Dad was killed early in Esther’s life, leaving Mom and Esther living with Uncle Mordecai until Mom’s death. Uncle Mordecai and Esther lived together for many years to come
Uncle Mordecai, years later has a dream that “the whole of the Jewish race was doomed to destruction”. The Jews need to have someone on the inside to catch the King’s ear. Uncle Mordecai requests of Esther that she enter the competition to become Queen, which the King began when he ousted his last king Vashti for her insubordination. Esther would use her lineage through her Persian father and disregard her Jewish heritage for the time being.
After much prepping and time, Esther of course is chosen by the King Ahasuerus, following the Biblical account. Esther though finds herself falling in love with the King, and he with her.. ahh, the love story component.
The life of a Queen is detailed so exquisitely that I could imagine the Queen’s chambers, her beauty, and her love for the King. The historical places and descriptions brought to life the Biblical Esther in a beautiful novel.
I appreciated the authors note on how she came to write this love story. “To turn the book of Esther into a novel, I had to give the characters humanly understandable reasons for acting as they did”.
Joan Wolf also writes “Where the bible story and novel come together is the underlying premise, God has a plan for the world, and He works His plan through the action of humans. The big question is, will we allow God to work through us?”
I received a free copy of A Reluctant Queen from Litfuse Group to review
June 29, 2011
I want to thank Firstreads for giving me a chance to review this book. And I absolutely loved it!
This is a retelling of the biblical story of Esther who married the Persian King to save her people. Wolf really brought this story to life. It was so easy to get pulled into this story and it flowed so well that it was really hard to put down. The characters were really brought to life and we see the reasons behind the way they acted the way they did. Esther never thought that she would become queen and when she did she didn't forget where she came from. She was a good and kind woman and that was exactly what the king had saw in her and who he fell in love with. This is a wonderful telling on the love story between Esther and the king and it is full of joy as well as sadness and betrayal.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody that loves historical fiction or biblical fiction. Its one that I shall read again. Sorry bookswappers, this one stays on my bookshelf.
This is a retelling of the biblical story of Esther who married the Persian King to save her people. Wolf really brought this story to life. It was so easy to get pulled into this story and it flowed so well that it was really hard to put down. The characters were really brought to life and we see the reasons behind the way they acted the way they did. Esther never thought that she would become queen and when she did she didn't forget where she came from. She was a good and kind woman and that was exactly what the king had saw in her and who he fell in love with. This is a wonderful telling on the love story between Esther and the king and it is full of joy as well as sadness and betrayal.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody that loves historical fiction or biblical fiction. Its one that I shall read again. Sorry bookswappers, this one stays on my bookshelf.
July 1, 2011
This is a retelling of the story of Esther, with a bunch of made-up details and research thrown together to make something entertaining. It's a book I won through firstreads, and it's... not really my kind of book.
The prose isn't particularly compelling, but gets the job done, although some conversation is truly terrible. A line from Mordecai to Esther: "'Your father might have been Persian, but a Jew is defined as the child of a Jewish mother. Among our people, the father's blood does not count.'" ...not very subtle, and it doesn't make sense for Mordecai to be telling Esther something she would already know.
I wanted to give this book and the genre a fighting chance, but everything from Esther's inner conflict to Mordecai's dream seems so artificial. I kept being reminded that I was reading BIBLICAL HISTORICAL FICTION and it was hard to feel immersed. I only got a third of the way through before my desire to read something else overcame me.
The prose isn't particularly compelling, but gets the job done, although some conversation is truly terrible. A line from Mordecai to Esther: "'Your father might have been Persian, but a Jew is defined as the child of a Jewish mother. Among our people, the father's blood does not count.'" ...not very subtle, and it doesn't make sense for Mordecai to be telling Esther something she would already know.
I wanted to give this book and the genre a fighting chance, but everything from Esther's inner conflict to Mordecai's dream seems so artificial. I kept being reminded that I was reading BIBLICAL HISTORICAL FICTION and it was hard to feel immersed. I only got a third of the way through before my desire to read something else overcame me.
June 23, 2015
This was one story that was never far from my thoughts! It really made me think when I was reading it, and gave me insight into a Biblical story that I hadn't considered before. The story was intricate in it's detail, which slowed it down somewhat, but it made up for this flaw in richly drawn characters. It was fairly easy to identify with Esther, even as a modern Christian woman, and I really began to feel for her and her situation. Likewise, you really see the struggles that face the Great King, despite the poetic license that the author took with him. While religion is a prevalent theme in the book, I never felt beat about the head with it. I would heartily recommend this book!
August 14, 2011
I love the cover. But I was unhappy with the changes from the Bible. I understand that some changes must be made, but after reading Jewel of Persia, I knew that the story of Esther can be written in a historical fiction manner without changes to what happened. Overall it was a clean story, and I enjoyed it, but the changes from the Bible really bugged me. I'll probably go into more detail on what they were when I review it on Austenitis.
December 1, 2018
Although the book took definite liberties with the Biblical account of Esther, I loved this story! Joan brings the story to life, describing Esther’s feelings, Ahasuerus’ personality, and giving vivid character to the role of Haman. She has created an environment of the ancient world so well and into this setting she leads the reader on a magical journey from the duty to love, from reluctance to passion.
September 1, 2012
Great story, great book!
October 12, 2014
{To Review Later}
January 28, 2016
Interesting interpretation of the story of Esther... We all have a purpose, we all can be an instrument
June 16, 2016
Bits of inaccuracies here and there aside that it was a good story.
March 11, 2015
I absolutely loved this book.
First, I should point out that although I love Biblical fiction, I'm an atheist. I consider the Bible to be exactly as open to artistic interpretation as any other ancient literary source, such as Egyptian tomb paintings, the Historia Augusta, or the Iliad and the Odyssey. I don't feel that it's wrong or bad to deviate from the specifics of the Biblical inspiration in pursuit of a well-constructed, entertaining story.
A Reluctant Queen certainly succeeds as a well-constructed and entertaining story. In fact, it may be one of the most satisfying Biblical novels I've ever read. That's entirely due to the ambiguous treatment of every one of the characters, which makes their interactions and their journeys feel so much more real and emotionally involving than they might otherwise be if Joan Wolf had stuck religiously (pardon the pun) to only what is contained in the Book of Esther.
In the relatively large canon of Esther fiction, the typical pattern is Esther and Jews = GOOD, Haman = BAD. Occasionally this expected pattern is drawn up in such stark terms that it becomes farcical, impossible to take seriously. Often flimsy reasons are presented for Haman's "badness," or he's turned into a silent-film-melodrama style caricature of a villain, simply because he has to be bad enough to justify his death at the end of the familiar Bible story.
I found Haman's complexity in A Reluctant Queen the most refreshingly stand-out aspect of this novel, and that's out of several refreshing stand-outs that made me enjoy the book so thoroughly. I haven't seen any other reviewers comment on it yet, so I'm just going to come out and say it: Haman is gay. He's in love with Ahasuerus. I don't believe it was ever stated clearly in the novel (I might have glossed over it, if it was) but it was blindingly obvious to me that he was desperately, painfully in love with his king, and hopelessly, too.
That unexpected but welcome angle humanized him in a deep, satisfying way, making his role in the story far more tragic than villainous. I got a little teary-eyed over Haman in the end. His love for Ahasuerus was both genuine and doomed to never be returned; in such a situation, it's easy to see how his bitterness against Esther and her people took root and eventually flourished. This complexity of character makes for an infinitely more satisfying reading experience than "Agagites don't like Jews."
Haman wasn't the only complex character, though. Mordecai, typically represented as unequivocally good in most Esther novels, was much harder to like here. Esther's reasons for loving and protecting him are obvious, but the reader has a harder time getting 100% behind Mordecai. He often makes comments that imply he truly thinks that Jews are unequivocally superior to all other people, and while that was one of the most important messages in the entirety of the Old Testament and much of the New Testament, one group declaring superiority over all others "just because" doesn't sit well with modern sensibilities. Today's reader can't help but feel reserved when it comes to Mordecai.
Ahasuerus is a man who's largely controlled by politics--at first acquiescing to a political marriage to a woman he dislikes, then maintaining a harem because people keep sending him women as gifts, when in reality his preference is for monogamy, but he's so embroiled in politics that it's hard to assert himself against the expectations of so many city-states. One the whole, he is likable, and easy for Esther to fall in love with--another welcome change from typical Esther novels, wherein the great king is kind of a scary monster until Esther "tames" him with whatever wiles the author imagines.
Esther is deeply troubled by the deceptive life she must live, even though it was all Mordecai's idea. She finds ways to bear up under her affliction and to handle her difficult situation, and the great love she feels for the king (and her great guilt at deceiving him.) Her methods are always full of grace, intelligence, sensitivity, and consideration. She's a heroine who is at once self-sacrificing and true to her own needs--a delicate balancing act for any author, but one Joan Wolf pulls off with apparent ease.
The language and dialog of the novel weren't my favorite parts. It was a little "beach-read" for my tastes; I would have loved a deeper exploration of ancient Persian and Jewish customs and culture, and more details of time and place. But this is a minor complaint when set against the truly masterful display of character all throughout the cast, and not enough to deduct even a single star from my rating. I truly enjoyed the book, in spite of its lighter style.
In fact, I'd give it a bonus star for all the clever ways Joan Wolf wove in tidbits of Persian history which have nothing to do with the Biblical account of Esther. Keep an eye out for Cambyses for a fun historical bonus. (Speaking of history and Biblical references, I've always read that Ahasuerus of the book of Esther was not Xerxes, but Artaxerxes--two different guys. Artaxerxes was associated with a certain Cambyses and a certain Darius, although I'm not sure if any scholar is clear on whether that's the same Darius who would have ruled just prior to Esther's accession as Queen of Persia. This is why I find it expedient to take the Bible and inspiration, not as a solid historical reference.)
This was my first Joan Wolf novel, but it won't be my last. I'm eager to check out more of her books. Highly recommended for fans of ancient historical fiction and for open-minded readers of Biblical fiction.
First, I should point out that although I love Biblical fiction, I'm an atheist. I consider the Bible to be exactly as open to artistic interpretation as any other ancient literary source, such as Egyptian tomb paintings, the Historia Augusta, or the Iliad and the Odyssey. I don't feel that it's wrong or bad to deviate from the specifics of the Biblical inspiration in pursuit of a well-constructed, entertaining story.
A Reluctant Queen certainly succeeds as a well-constructed and entertaining story. In fact, it may be one of the most satisfying Biblical novels I've ever read. That's entirely due to the ambiguous treatment of every one of the characters, which makes their interactions and their journeys feel so much more real and emotionally involving than they might otherwise be if Joan Wolf had stuck religiously (pardon the pun) to only what is contained in the Book of Esther.
In the relatively large canon of Esther fiction, the typical pattern is Esther and Jews = GOOD, Haman = BAD. Occasionally this expected pattern is drawn up in such stark terms that it becomes farcical, impossible to take seriously. Often flimsy reasons are presented for Haman's "badness," or he's turned into a silent-film-melodrama style caricature of a villain, simply because he has to be bad enough to justify his death at the end of the familiar Bible story.
I found Haman's complexity in A Reluctant Queen the most refreshingly stand-out aspect of this novel, and that's out of several refreshing stand-outs that made me enjoy the book so thoroughly. I haven't seen any other reviewers comment on it yet, so I'm just going to come out and say it: Haman is gay. He's in love with Ahasuerus. I don't believe it was ever stated clearly in the novel (I might have glossed over it, if it was) but it was blindingly obvious to me that he was desperately, painfully in love with his king, and hopelessly, too.
That unexpected but welcome angle humanized him in a deep, satisfying way, making his role in the story far more tragic than villainous. I got a little teary-eyed over Haman in the end. His love for Ahasuerus was both genuine and doomed to never be returned; in such a situation, it's easy to see how his bitterness against Esther and her people took root and eventually flourished. This complexity of character makes for an infinitely more satisfying reading experience than "Agagites don't like Jews."
Haman wasn't the only complex character, though. Mordecai, typically represented as unequivocally good in most Esther novels, was much harder to like here. Esther's reasons for loving and protecting him are obvious, but the reader has a harder time getting 100% behind Mordecai. He often makes comments that imply he truly thinks that Jews are unequivocally superior to all other people, and while that was one of the most important messages in the entirety of the Old Testament and much of the New Testament, one group declaring superiority over all others "just because" doesn't sit well with modern sensibilities. Today's reader can't help but feel reserved when it comes to Mordecai.
Ahasuerus is a man who's largely controlled by politics--at first acquiescing to a political marriage to a woman he dislikes, then maintaining a harem because people keep sending him women as gifts, when in reality his preference is for monogamy, but he's so embroiled in politics that it's hard to assert himself against the expectations of so many city-states. One the whole, he is likable, and easy for Esther to fall in love with--another welcome change from typical Esther novels, wherein the great king is kind of a scary monster until Esther "tames" him with whatever wiles the author imagines.
Esther is deeply troubled by the deceptive life she must live, even though it was all Mordecai's idea. She finds ways to bear up under her affliction and to handle her difficult situation, and the great love she feels for the king (and her great guilt at deceiving him.) Her methods are always full of grace, intelligence, sensitivity, and consideration. She's a heroine who is at once self-sacrificing and true to her own needs--a delicate balancing act for any author, but one Joan Wolf pulls off with apparent ease.
The language and dialog of the novel weren't my favorite parts. It was a little "beach-read" for my tastes; I would have loved a deeper exploration of ancient Persian and Jewish customs and culture, and more details of time and place. But this is a minor complaint when set against the truly masterful display of character all throughout the cast, and not enough to deduct even a single star from my rating. I truly enjoyed the book, in spite of its lighter style.
In fact, I'd give it a bonus star for all the clever ways Joan Wolf wove in tidbits of Persian history which have nothing to do with the Biblical account of Esther. Keep an eye out for Cambyses for a fun historical bonus. (Speaking of history and Biblical references, I've always read that Ahasuerus of the book of Esther was not Xerxes, but Artaxerxes--two different guys. Artaxerxes was associated with a certain Cambyses and a certain Darius, although I'm not sure if any scholar is clear on whether that's the same Darius who would have ruled just prior to Esther's accession as Queen of Persia. This is why I find it expedient to take the Bible and inspiration, not as a solid historical reference.)
This was my first Joan Wolf novel, but it won't be my last. I'm eager to check out more of her books. Highly recommended for fans of ancient historical fiction and for open-minded readers of Biblical fiction.
April 14, 2018
No creí me fuese a gustar tanto.
Basado en el libro de Ester, esta novela narra el cómo una chica (15 o 16 años, lo cual era la norma en aquellos años y no la mujer adulta en portada) judía, a instancias de su tío, se casa con el rey persa de turno con el propósito de asegurar el bienestar de su gente.
La novela da mucha más personalidad a los personajes de Ester, Mardoqueo, el rey Asuero y el antagonista Amán. Además, incorpora un motivo extra para encausar la historia como la conocemos. Si bien la novela sigue en líneas generales al relato bíblico no es una copia calcada, hay escenas y diálogos omitidos, la incorporación de varios personajes secundarios especialmente dos de ellos que sirven de apoyo a Ester.
Creo el personaje más interesante es Amán, básicamente lo tenía todo, pero lo hecho todo a perder tanto por la enemistad entre edomitas e israelitas. Sin embargo,
Tanto en el relato como en la novela Ester representa la obediencia, por acatar las órdenes de su tío, y el valor, para ir contra la ley al auxiliar a su pueblo. Asuero es representado como un hombre atractivo, justo y que antepone la verdad a todo lo demás, cómo no se iba a enamorar la protagonista de él.
Me dio risa casi al final cuando
Al inicio hay una nota sobre “el lenguaje” y es que según estamos leyendo algo traducido (¿y adaptado?) al inglés de antiguos textos, buen recurso de la autora XD, por eso vemos luego la palabra genética, no es boca de los personajes, pero si me quede un poco eeeehhh.
Por último, la autora me parece es religiosa y me parece quiere transmitir entre otras cosas, dos enseñanzas religiosas, creo, las de:
- Ayúdate que yo (Dios) te ayudaré, por Madroqueo y ancianos urdiendo el plan de salvar a su pueblo (aunque algunos dirán se llevan entre las patas a una adolescente como Ester).
- Aquel que se engrandece será humillado, aquel que es humilde será engrandecido, o algo así.
Muy entretenida, fácil de leer, y me engancho a pesar de ya saber en que terminaría todo, pero necesitaba saber que sucedería a continuación XD. A sido una buena introducción a las novelas bíblicas.
“It would be ironic, would it not? He put Vashti away because she would not show herself before him at a banquet, and now you are saying he may put me away for doing the very thing that Vashti would not.” Ester.
Basado en el libro de Ester, esta novela narra el cómo una chica (15 o 16 años, lo cual era la norma en aquellos años y no la mujer adulta en portada) judía, a instancias de su tío, se casa con el rey persa de turno con el propósito de asegurar el bienestar de su gente.
La novela da mucha más personalidad a los personajes de Ester, Mardoqueo, el rey Asuero y el antagonista Amán. Además, incorpora un motivo extra para encausar la historia como la conocemos. Si bien la novela sigue en líneas generales al relato bíblico no es una copia calcada, hay escenas y diálogos omitidos, la incorporación de varios personajes secundarios especialmente dos de ellos que sirven de apoyo a Ester.
Creo el personaje más interesante es Amán, básicamente lo tenía todo, pero lo hecho todo a perder tanto por la enemistad entre edomitas e israelitas. Sin embargo,
Tanto en el relato como en la novela Ester representa la obediencia, por acatar las órdenes de su tío, y el valor, para ir contra la ley al auxiliar a su pueblo. Asuero es representado como un hombre atractivo, justo y que antepone la verdad a todo lo demás, cómo no se iba a enamorar la protagonista de él.
Me dio risa casi al final cuando
Al inicio hay una nota sobre “el lenguaje” y es que según estamos leyendo algo traducido (¿y adaptado?) al inglés de antiguos textos, buen recurso de la autora XD, por eso vemos luego la palabra genética, no es boca de los personajes, pero si me quede un poco eeeehhh.
Por último, la autora me parece es religiosa y me parece quiere transmitir entre otras cosas, dos enseñanzas religiosas, creo, las de:
- Ayúdate que yo (Dios) te ayudaré, por Madroqueo y ancianos urdiendo el plan de salvar a su pueblo (aunque algunos dirán se llevan entre las patas a una adolescente como Ester).
- Aquel que se engrandece será humillado, aquel que es humilde será engrandecido, o algo así.
Muy entretenida, fácil de leer, y me engancho a pesar de ya saber en que terminaría todo, pero necesitaba saber que sucedería a continuación XD. A sido una buena introducción a las novelas bíblicas.
“It would be ironic, would it not? He put Vashti away because she would not show herself before him at a banquet, and now you are saying he may put me away for doing the very thing that Vashti would not.” Ester.
April 9, 2012
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
There is something to be said for an author who can craft a fleshed out composition from a simple Bible story. The bare bones are provided before pen meets paper but it takes real finesse to create something unique from something so well known. Joan Wolf displays such a talent with A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther.
I’ve been hesitant with inspired fiction lately. To be completely honest I’ve burnt out on getting preached at. That being the case I was very pleased with what Wolf put together. I couldn’t help but be impressed with the subtly in which Wolf balanced religion with good old fashioned storytelling. The subject matter may be more attractive to those interested in faith based literature, but the restraint exhibited by the author in terms of an inspirational message ensures the book has much wider appeal.
For all that I praise the narrative, I can’t say I truly appreciate the characters. The entire cast is well-rounded, fully-developed, multi-dimensional, etc. and so forth. Problem is I really didn’t like any of them. Good storytellers create believable characters, great storytellers create memorable ones. No offense meant but the cast of A Reluctant Queen fell just a bit short.
Adding to my concerns is the general pacing of the story. Wolf has no problem incorporating events from the original story but the gaps between are less polished, notably so in fact. I know Wolf is capable; she gave dimension and depth to her players. By comparison I can’t help feeling the story itself received only half as much attention.
Lastly, realize the book doesn’t adhere to the well-known version of events. I can see where this might bother some readers though I can’t say I fall in with that particular crowd. There is nothing wrong with a little creative license so long as the essence of the story remains unaltered. Wolf has clearly stepped off the beaten path but that in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
There is something to be said for an author who can craft a fleshed out composition from a simple Bible story. The bare bones are provided before pen meets paper but it takes real finesse to create something unique from something so well known. Joan Wolf displays such a talent with A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther.
I’ve been hesitant with inspired fiction lately. To be completely honest I’ve burnt out on getting preached at. That being the case I was very pleased with what Wolf put together. I couldn’t help but be impressed with the subtly in which Wolf balanced religion with good old fashioned storytelling. The subject matter may be more attractive to those interested in faith based literature, but the restraint exhibited by the author in terms of an inspirational message ensures the book has much wider appeal.
For all that I praise the narrative, I can’t say I truly appreciate the characters. The entire cast is well-rounded, fully-developed, multi-dimensional, etc. and so forth. Problem is I really didn’t like any of them. Good storytellers create believable characters, great storytellers create memorable ones. No offense meant but the cast of A Reluctant Queen fell just a bit short.
Adding to my concerns is the general pacing of the story. Wolf has no problem incorporating events from the original story but the gaps between are less polished, notably so in fact. I know Wolf is capable; she gave dimension and depth to her players. By comparison I can’t help feeling the story itself received only half as much attention.
Lastly, realize the book doesn’t adhere to the well-known version of events. I can see where this might bother some readers though I can’t say I fall in with that particular crowd. There is nothing wrong with a little creative license so long as the essence of the story remains unaltered. Wolf has clearly stepped off the beaten path but that in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
June 15, 2011
**ARC Courtesy of NetGalley
Probably one of my favorite, if not THE favorite, Bible stories of all time. This book reminded me a lot of the movie One Night with the King, which I LOVED. So, throughout the entire novel, I decided to use the characters from the movie (their faces) as the characters in this book. ha!
The book focuses on the romance aspect of Esther and the Great King of Persia, Ahasuerus. After a dream from God, Esther’s uncle (Mordecai) believes Esther is the one to save the Jews. If she becomes the king’s new wife, she’ll have his ear, thus saving the whole of the Jewish community from their enemies, the Edomites. Esther is thrown into the harem of the king when he removes his wife, never believing she’d be the one he marries. She has to keep her religion a secret, for fear of repercussion. But when Haman, the Edomite who has the king’s other ear, decides to issue a proclamation in the king’s stead to banish the Jewish community, it’s up to Esther to finally stand up and tell her husband the truth.
While these Esther and Ahasuerus aren’t called by their original names (Hadassah and Xerxes) as in the Bible, I understood that the author was trying to put a new spin on an old story. Many may argue that there is much that isn’t historically accurate, but that comes with the territory of fictionalizing and/or putting a new spine on an old Bible tale. The characters seemed real, the plot and pace were a little slow in the beginning, but they eventually picked up pace. At times, the narrative dragged and I found myself skimming. There are a lot of point of view changes, which took me a while to grow accustomed to, but I did share the same feelings as Esther when it came to the king. He was likeable, and definitely a romantic heartthrob. Overall, I think the author did a nice job on an old favorite.
Probably one of my favorite, if not THE favorite, Bible stories of all time. This book reminded me a lot of the movie One Night with the King, which I LOVED. So, throughout the entire novel, I decided to use the characters from the movie (their faces) as the characters in this book. ha!
The book focuses on the romance aspect of Esther and the Great King of Persia, Ahasuerus. After a dream from God, Esther’s uncle (Mordecai) believes Esther is the one to save the Jews. If she becomes the king’s new wife, she’ll have his ear, thus saving the whole of the Jewish community from their enemies, the Edomites. Esther is thrown into the harem of the king when he removes his wife, never believing she’d be the one he marries. She has to keep her religion a secret, for fear of repercussion. But when Haman, the Edomite who has the king’s other ear, decides to issue a proclamation in the king’s stead to banish the Jewish community, it’s up to Esther to finally stand up and tell her husband the truth.
While these Esther and Ahasuerus aren’t called by their original names (Hadassah and Xerxes) as in the Bible, I understood that the author was trying to put a new spin on an old story. Many may argue that there is much that isn’t historically accurate, but that comes with the territory of fictionalizing and/or putting a new spine on an old Bible tale. The characters seemed real, the plot and pace were a little slow in the beginning, but they eventually picked up pace. At times, the narrative dragged and I found myself skimming. There are a lot of point of view changes, which took me a while to grow accustomed to, but I did share the same feelings as Esther when it came to the king. He was likeable, and definitely a romantic heartthrob. Overall, I think the author did a nice job on an old favorite.
May 4, 2011
Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Date reviewed: 5 May 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=5264
It’s difficult to read a book when you already know the story in it and it gets much more worst when you have high expectation from the book in question. That is what happened when I read this book, A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther by Joan Wolf.
The story of this book is based on the Biblical Queen Esther of Persia. This novel is very well written. Highly descriptive, inspiring and heartwarming, but since it’s based on a biblical story- The Book of Esther in the Old Testament, I can’t help but notice that certain things had been change to beautify the novel. For example, in most Bible translation, Mordecai is more recognized as Esther’s cousin who fostered her when her parents died, not her uncle. And there’s no mentioning Esther’s real name, Hadassah before she went to Ahasuerus harem and became the Queen of Persia. This book is pretty romanticized, I must say.
Perhaps if I ought to take this book as a fiction instead of a memoir or a biography of Esther, I would have been more satisfied.But then again, I’ll give credit where it’s due. It is difficult to write a story based on what people already know. This book is inspiring nevertheless and I enjoyed it very much. The author did a good job in bringing the Persian court and culture to life, and for that, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write any positive review for the book. For Booksneeze reviewers, this book will be available for review in May 2011. Do KIV for it if you’re interested.
Date reviewed: 5 May 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=5264
It’s difficult to read a book when you already know the story in it and it gets much more worst when you have high expectation from the book in question. That is what happened when I read this book, A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther by Joan Wolf.
The story of this book is based on the Biblical Queen Esther of Persia. This novel is very well written. Highly descriptive, inspiring and heartwarming, but since it’s based on a biblical story- The Book of Esther in the Old Testament, I can’t help but notice that certain things had been change to beautify the novel. For example, in most Bible translation, Mordecai is more recognized as Esther’s cousin who fostered her when her parents died, not her uncle. And there’s no mentioning Esther’s real name, Hadassah before she went to Ahasuerus harem and became the Queen of Persia. This book is pretty romanticized, I must say.
Perhaps if I ought to take this book as a fiction instead of a memoir or a biography of Esther, I would have been more satisfied.But then again, I’ll give credit where it’s due. It is difficult to write a story based on what people already know. This book is inspiring nevertheless and I enjoyed it very much. The author did a good job in bringing the Persian court and culture to life, and for that, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write any positive review for the book. For Booksneeze reviewers, this book will be available for review in May 2011. Do KIV for it if you’re interested.
February 12, 2014
Wow! This book...
Where do I start? I guess I'll start with the cover. It is so gorgeous that it made me want to read the book.
The story—one of the best I've read so far about a bible character.
I couldn't put this book down. Of course I knew that Esther would be queen but I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the king would respond to her.
I'm not one to use made up words but this time I have to because anything less than fantabulous can't be used to describe this book!!!
Of course most of us are familiar with Esther but have you ever wondered how she went from being a commoner to being the queen; She is so loved by the king that he offered her up to half of his kingdom!
Have you ever stopped to contemplate if Esther returned his love? Have you thought about the friends she may have made during her preparation time before she was presented to the king?
This book is of course a fictional take on the beloved tale but you will not be disappointed. I literally sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation of how it would all unfold.
If you love the story of Esther and you appreciate historical fiction then I strongly suggest this book.
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt
Where do I start? I guess I'll start with the cover. It is so gorgeous that it made me want to read the book.
The story—one of the best I've read so far about a bible character.
I couldn't put this book down. Of course I knew that Esther would be queen but I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the king would respond to her.
I'm not one to use made up words but this time I have to because anything less than fantabulous can't be used to describe this book!!!
Of course most of us are familiar with Esther but have you ever wondered how she went from being a commoner to being the queen; She is so loved by the king that he offered her up to half of his kingdom!
Have you ever stopped to contemplate if Esther returned his love? Have you thought about the friends she may have made during her preparation time before she was presented to the king?
This book is of course a fictional take on the beloved tale but you will not be disappointed. I literally sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation of how it would all unfold.
If you love the story of Esther and you appreciate historical fiction then I strongly suggest this book.
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt
April 28, 2016
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book -- the biblical story of Esther told as a romance. IF you were raised on bible stories and IF you enjoy reading romances, then take a chance on this book. (Though be forewarned, this is romance, not erotica. You will need to go to the Song of Solomon for that. (-:)
To the best of my memory, the story remains true to the biblical story in most of its particulars (though I admit, I didn't go back to read the original to check). Esther is chosen by the king essentially for pragmatic, political reasons, and Esther herself is resigned but unexcited to be joining his harem, even if she is to be Queen Bee, so to speak. But time goes by, they get to know each other, and -- voila! -- it's love.
Since I was raised on stories from the Bible, it was fun to read a familiar story told with so much depth, detail, and intrigue (probably, my Sunday School teachers should have tried this). And let's be honest, ladies, who is not going to fall for a handsome king who ignores an entire harem for YOU? Looks like I will be reading more of Joan Wolf in the future.
To the best of my memory, the story remains true to the biblical story in most of its particulars (though I admit, I didn't go back to read the original to check). Esther is chosen by the king essentially for pragmatic, political reasons, and Esther herself is resigned but unexcited to be joining his harem, even if she is to be Queen Bee, so to speak. But time goes by, they get to know each other, and -- voila! -- it's love.
Since I was raised on stories from the Bible, it was fun to read a familiar story told with so much depth, detail, and intrigue (probably, my Sunday School teachers should have tried this). And let's be honest, ladies, who is not going to fall for a handsome king who ignores an entire harem for YOU? Looks like I will be reading more of Joan Wolf in the future.
June 9, 2019
This is Biblical Fiction about Esther and her rise to being Queen. Esther is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. She was able to be in the right place at the right time to save the destruction of her people. I've read other accounts of this story and I have animated versions on VHS (that shows my age) that my kids have grown up watching. It is always interesting to see a different emphasis in all the versions.
I liked this one, even though it was mostly a romance. I want to add a "but" to that sentence. I wonder why the author left out pieces of scripture from her account because these missing pieces seemed important. This isn't a deal breaker, as this is historical fiction and I don't mind creative license. I'm just curious. I loved Mordecai in the scriptural account, and the other historical fiction sources I have, but in this novel he kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
I liked this one, even though it was mostly a romance. I want to add a "but" to that sentence. I wonder why the author left out pieces of scripture from her account because these missing pieces seemed important. This isn't a deal breaker, as this is historical fiction and I don't mind creative license. I'm just curious. I loved Mordecai in the scriptural account, and the other historical fiction sources I have, but in this novel he kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
July 9, 2011
the book of Esther from the bible has always been one of my favorites and so i was somewhat reserved when i first recieved the book as to how anyone would be able to make the story fresh and appealling. i must say that i really enjoyed the way the author portrayed the hero(king) and heroine(queen) as more than the biblical figures they are percieved to be and more as the people they were with all of the same thoughts and emotions as anyone else.
i loved how the heroine overcame her difficulties and grew to love the hero and vice versa and the seconday characters were superbly done. you even made me sympathize with a villian i have long held in disdain!
if you are a fan of biblical fiction this is the book for you. if not then you should give this one a try as the love story is something you don't want to miss!
i loved how the heroine overcame her difficulties and grew to love the hero and vice versa and the seconday characters were superbly done. you even made me sympathize with a villian i have long held in disdain!
if you are a fan of biblical fiction this is the book for you. if not then you should give this one a try as the love story is something you don't want to miss!
July 4, 2019
While i normally dont choose "christian fiction" as reading material, i have always had a soft spot for the story of Esther...so it was because of that this book was picked off the library shelf.
Hardly a literary masterpiece, it was however a pleasant surprise and an easy read, totally transporting one to the times of and places of the story.
It does show some artistic licensing, it is to be expected, but it is done tastefully and with full disclaimer of the author about her options story wise and character wise.
Good summer read, which is pretty much all my brain seems capable of doing lately!
Happy Readings!
Hardly a literary masterpiece, it was however a pleasant surprise and an easy read, totally transporting one to the times of and places of the story.
It does show some artistic licensing, it is to be expected, but it is done tastefully and with full disclaimer of the author about her options story wise and character wise.
Good summer read, which is pretty much all my brain seems capable of doing lately!
Happy Readings!
February 6, 2016
The story fleshes out what is in the book of Esther but... in the bible the King Esther marries is called Xerxes. In the book the king is Xerxes make believe brother. I still don't get the need for the switch. It's a love story of course and I started to read it because it was THE biblical story of Esther but it wasn't as close to the biblical story as I thought it was going to be. Worth reading as a love story but not great.
April 16, 2020
Definitely a different take on Esther’s story from the Bible. Hers was always one of my favorites as a young girl. This story isn’t Biblically sound but it truly was an enjoyable read.
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