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The Dovekeepers

Alice Hoffman

Why we're reading this: If you are a fan of Christian novels that this book would be it. This book is sad and informative.
[close] If you are a fan of Christian novels that this book would be it. This book is sad and informative.

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Oct 12, 2011 Nancy rated it it was amazing

I knew little of Masada before I read this book. What I did know was on a scholarly level. Just the facts but I'd forgotten them. What was reported by the scholar and historian, Josephus, is that the only survivors of Masada were two women and five children. Masada was built into a cliff by King Herod and had changed hands a few times over the hundred years before the Jewish people made their last stand before falling to the Romans.

Hoffman researched extensively and weaved as much fact into the I knew little of Masada before I read this book. What I did know was on a scholarly level. Just the facts but I'd forgotten them. What was reported by the scholar and historian, Josephus, is that the only survivors of Masada were two women and five children. Masada was built into a cliff by King Herod and had changed hands a few times over the hundred years before the Jewish people made their last stand before falling to the Romans.

Hoffman researched extensively and weaved as much fact into the story as she could, including artifacts found at the site and scattered throughout Europe today in museums.

Hoffman also invents characters and experiences that are so detailed, I believe they are alive. Given, there were times that the story seemed overly repetitive and I started to feel bored but Yael's story grabbed me, Revka kept me interested, Aziza was a little strange while Shirrah tied it all up and we circled back to Yael who seemed to thread all of the elements back together.

Each woman is brought to Masada for a different reason and under different circumstances. Each woman represents an element; fire, water, air and earth (metal). All are troubled by their sins and seek absolution and peace. Every one of them finds it in their own way.

The last 150 pages had me absolutely riveted and heartsick. The story, detail, and sensory descriptions transported me to Masada and the last few days of the conflict. I forgot I was reading a book.

The story is laced with symbolism, Deity and magic. Hoffman includes the cruelty of the Roman soldiers as they tortured their prisoners in horrific ways, including crucification. Also, the reader is introduced to a pure Jewish group who also seems to follow some of the Christian tenets, the Essenes. They are credited for writing, keeping and hiding the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Above all, the story captures the emotion of this historical event that flows with blood and violence which this era richly contained. It broke my heart. It was amazing.

4.5 Stars ...more

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Oct 05, 2011 Ruthie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Picked this up from the library. Just ordered it in paperback to have for my girls to read. That good.

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May 13, 2014 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, historical-fiction, fiction

This is only the second book by Ms Hoffman that I've ever read and I am hooked to her writing.

This novel follows four women who live within the Masada fortress. They are the dovekeepers, but they are more than that, they are epitome of humanity. Each of the four parts of this book follows one of the women and tells her story, her hopes, fears, struggles, and her survival. Through each woman we learn of their religion, their practices, beliefs, and daily life. Within these pages the struggle of t ...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Sheila Read rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-donated-cancer-center

Oh I loved the book it was just like u were there. Alice Hoffman put history into the book. The characters were the real thing and the dates but she put her own story together like it was suppose to be.

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