THE DOVEKEEPERS by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman, The Dovekeepers (Scribner,   2011).

Also available in Nook, Kindle, and Apple iStore

(HISTORICAL FICTION)

Reviewed by Lisa Proehl

Alice Hoffman has written more than 20 novels, and several short story collections. The Dovekeepers is her first historical fiction, and in my opinion, her best novel to date. The lives of four amazing, bold, and resourceful women intersect in ancient Israel at Masada, the last stronghold of the Jewish people as they are being threatened by the Roman army. As the threat deepens, the women's lives continue to become more and more intertwined, and their friendships more and more important. According to the ancient historian, Josephus, two women and five children survived. Hoffman bases her novel on that assumption.

The Dovekeepers is a deeply moving story of love and betrayal, magic and faith. As I was reading, I didn’t want it to end, and it has continued to stay with me since I finished. I highly recommend this haunting and beautiful story.

CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (Vintage; Reprint edition:January 26, 2010)

 

(NOVEL)

Reviewed by Lisa Proehl

Abraham Verghese is a physician and author. His two non-fiction books are My Own Country, about his work with AIDS patients in rural Tennessee, and The Tennis Partner, a memoir of a difficult friendship. Cutting for Stone is his first novel.

The story is set in Ethiopia, where conjoined twins Marion and Shiva Stone are born and immediately lose their mother, a nun, to the complicated pregnancy. What follows is the story of their coming of age as Ethiopia hovers close to revolution. The twins share a very strong connection with each other, a fascination with medicine, and eventually a passion for the same woman.

There are several plot twists which keep the reader engaged throughout the novel. What resonated most deeply for me was the beautiful expression of the power and beauty of doing healing work, as well as the profound love and connection between the twin brothers.

My favorite book of 2010! I highly recommend it.

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

(NOVEL)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Alfred A. Knopf, 2007).

Reviewed by Lisa Proehl

The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany, and explores Liesel Meminger’s relationship with a Jewish man, Max, who hides in the basement of her home during part of World War ll. As their friendship deepens, he shares his life story through a series of sketches.

This is a beautifully written story, interestingly narrated by Death, which adds to the depth of the novel. The story reveals the brutality and horror of the war, while at the same time expressing the beauty of words, art, literature, and friendship. Liesel learns the great value of knowing how to read, and of having a voice. She also believes that words are what hold the country under the power of Hitler and the Nazi party. She sees literature as being partly responsible for the upheaval, but also as her escape from it. Words can cause destruction and peace. So can humans.

How do these two sides of humanity coexist? As Death reveals at the end of the novel, “I am haunted by humans.”

I couldn’t put this book down; I highly recommend it.


If you wish to  comment on this or the previous review, click on "comments" below the review. If you have trouble with that link, you may send comments to Webberfbs (at) gmail (dot) com (substitute @ for "at" and . for "dot" and don't leave spaces).


© 2011