Hills of Moab: A fictional novel based on the story of Ruth

by Elizabeth Faye

After witnessing the horrors of sacrificial worship, Ruth believes all gods are myths, created by the imagination of power hungry men.

Across the Jordon, Naomi struggles with the ongoing silence of the heavens, as her husband decides to move her family from their home in Bethlehem and settle in Moab, a nation Naomi detests.

With his ever increasing good fortune, Boaz is viewed as a threat to the people of power in Bethlehem. The Hebrew blood of his father runs through his veins, but this isn't enough to convince the people that he is one of their own. Not while they remember his mother, the pagan harlot from Jericho.

As Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz navigate through the racial and social prejudices of their time, they discover the choices they make will not only affect their own lives, but will change the direction of Israel forever.

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian, Fiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2024

Reviews

[Malgorzata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book which tells Ruth's story from a different perspective, adding a lot to the story, and introducing the characters of Ruth and Ophrah. This story is intriguing and captivating with lively and authentic characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading novels based on the five Books of Moses, or the Old Testament. Since I have never been schooled in the Bible’s intricacies but learned mere outlines of stories, such novels help to fill in the gaps for me. Like Anita Diamont’s “The Red Tent,” Jonathan Kirsch’s “The Harlot by the Side of the Road,” and Anna Solomon’s “The Book of V.,” “Hills of Moab” by Australian author Elizabeth Faye is no exception. I devoured the nearly 300 hundred page book in less than a day, eager to learn how the novel fit within my minuscule knowledge of the biblical story of Ruth.

All I have ever known is that Ruth was not an Israelite but married a son of Naomi, who was. After Ruth’s husband died, Ruth remained devoted to Naomi and remained at her mother-in-law’s side, declaring that Naomi’s people were her people and that she would go wherever Naomi went. To my knowledge, Ruth is the first convert to Judaism. I also knew that her story is somehow related to a man named Boaz, but that is the extent of my knowledge. “Hills of Moab” begins with Naomi and her family leaving a drought-ridden Israel to keep themselves fed. They settle in Moab, where the vast portion of the novel takes place.

It isn’t until the end of the story that a connection between Ruth and Boaz finally is made. The story ends with the birth of a boy, named Obed. I then had to research the importance of Obed’s birth, and since it isn’t disclosed in the novel, I won’t disclose it here. Suffice it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and gladly would read another by this author.

I received an advanced, digital, reader’s copy of “Hills of Moab” for free from BookSirens. Thank you to BookSirens and Ms. Faye for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. My review of it is wholly voluntary.

[David Keith Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hills of Moab, tells the story of Ruth. Within the Bible, amidst the stories of the great judges and kings, is “Ruth”, a short book about the doings of some very simple folk. Unlike the stories between which is falls it deals with women. Elizabeth Faye has taken this story and filled it with human feeling. Ruth, Naomi and Orpah become living breathing women and we see their hopes, dreams and suffering. The time and place are brought to life and we can identify with the concerns of our protagonists even though they are the concerns of people living over 3000 years ago. The author has clearly done her research and the life and practices of this earlier time are sifted into the mix without relying on chunks of unwieldy exposition. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot too, and you cannot ask for more than that. Even if you generally avoid biblical fiction, I recommend this, it’s a great exploration of an interesting earlier time, when domestic life and community ruled our days rather than high politics and philosophy.
Ruth herself, as Elizabeth Faye portrays her is a great character, her own person, emotionally strong, brave and with just a touch of playfulness. Highly recommended. I loved my time with this book, transported 3000 years into the past, feeling the levant sun on my face and the barley stubble beneath my feet.

[Su Thor · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a love story that is so much more than just a love story- this is it. Learn real history as a well as a loved story from the Bible. Elizabeth Faye has delivered a compelling version of this ancient story. Within her book there is much which rings true. There is danger and intrigue. It is emotional and heartwarming tale. Naomi’s personality is spot on. She is the humble wife; the loving Mother; the grief filled Wife and then Mother. As she leave Moab she is in the depth of grief and although Ruth is at her side, she is empty and feels like she has nothing. But as the pages turn there is a change between who is guiding whom and watch as Ruth becomes her own person. Enter Boaz. Elizabeth you have his character spot on: Generous, loving, compassionate landowner. When this book ends I found myself asking questions about how Ruth deals with her new roll as a wife and Mother and I’d love to know how you see this story developing.

What we have is exciting, plausible and it is a love story.

I look forward to read more of your work and I’d commend this book to any would be reader. Thank you for bringing these ancient people to life.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hills Of Moab by Elizabeth Faye it’s all about Ruth, Orpa, Boaz all the common characters you find in those books but it’s a more straightforward telling as opposed to what you would read in the king James Bible I have to say I really enjoyed it the only thing I didn’t like is she had them despite it being written about ancient times she has them hugging and hanging on each other even having Naomi‘s husband smacking her on the rear end something I didn’t not only find fitting but out of place in the actual time the people live people didn’t become touchy feely until the mid-20th century. Sometimes I wish I didn’t know so much about history because it ruins a lot of books for me but this book was well written and I soon got over it that was just my only negative take away from the book. I definitely still recommend it and thoroughly enjoyed it.#BookSirens, #TheHillsOfMoab, #ElizabethFaye,

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of fictional pieces regarding the story of Ruth, and this is the first I've read that actually focuses on Ruth rather than Boaz, usually portrayed as the ultimate goal and prize of her story. The thing I love about both Biblical and historical fiction is they give the heart behind the story, and Elizabeth Faye did just that with Hills of Moab. Scripture just tells us that Ruth converted to Naomi's religion, but doesn't give any details about her life beforehand or even what that transition was like for her. I appreciated that Faye walked us alongside Ruth as she struggled, and gave us a peek into the family Ruth came to love so much that she completely upended her life for.

What I most appreciated about this book is by the time we meet Boaz, Ruth is her own established character that we already know and love - she's finally the main character in her own story.

I received this book as a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, which I was happy to give.

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story of Ruth, and I thought this retelling was well-done. The author does a great job of fleshing out the story by helping us to understand what the culture was like in Moab and why Elimelech’s family didn’t return to Israel sooner. There were some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, even though I knew the basic storyline, which kept it interesting. I love the way she helped us get into the heads of the characters, making them relatable, even though they are from a time and place so foreign to us. The histories of Ruth and Orpah and their families in particular were very realistic. I would have liked a little more time in Israel – it felt like story ended too soon, but that was because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to spend more time there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jim Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 10 star book

I highly recommend you read the book of Ruth in thr Bible before you read this book. I applaud Elizabeth Faye for an extremely tasteful portrayal of what might have been the events of Ruth of the Bible. I thank Elizabeth Faye for blending the story of Ruth without compromising the Biblical events.

Who knows, this story may be what actually happened over a millennia ago. From Obed on, we have been blessed.

The fictional characters added a wonderful image of the Biblical characters. Since the story blend5so well with the Biblical events and was so tastefully represented I give this book a 10 star rating. Since I personally believe that the Biblical events are true, I can accept that the fictional book of the Hills of Moab could have happen this way.

Thank you for this story.

[Vicky Dedda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best books I have read. It was just wonderful. If you like Biblical Fiction this is the book for you. It is set in the time of Ruth and Boaz, but it takes you into their early lives, when Naomi and her family leave for Moab, we delve into the lives of her two sons in Moab and then we return to Israel to the unfolding story of Ruth and Boaz. It just brought the story of Ruth and Boaz to life. I couldn't put it down and told my husband to buy it too, which he did and he hasn't quite finished it but is loving it as much as I did. Not to be missed, how glad I am to meet this wonderful author. Will be waiting anxiously for more of her books, she is an extremely talented author. If you buy this book, you will not be disappointed.

[Estrella Betker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, and while the beginning was fantastic-- the middle to end felt like it lacked a bit. I understand it's hard to write a novel based off a real biblical event but the love story was truly what I was here for and it felt like it fell flat.

I loved the creative artistic takes on the story, and loved the relationship between all the characters. Just wish the romance had been a stronger set up.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the writing of this book. Knowing the Biblical story of Ruth, my brain struggled a little with the fictionalization and "creative license" that the author took. But, that being said, it was a intriguing story when taken at face value. It's a good book. Marginal doctrine, so don't take it as a retelling of the Old Testament book of Ruth.

[Alana Findling · Rating 5 out of 5]

review

This was a great story. It followed Biblical teachings but presented a wonderful story line. The story was well written. I could picture the story as I read it. The story of Ruth has always been one of my favorites. Now I see it in a different light

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. When reading the Bible you don’t get a feel for the culture of that time. This book gave you some insight or things to ponder. There was a few terms used that was modern for the time period.

[Chrisanna Myrena Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet

I loved this book and the story line, I can't wait to read more of her books , I knew the story of Ruth and Boaz but this kinda filled in the gaps even though I know the author said it's not 100% accurate I still feel like I learned too

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth is one of those Bible-stories that leaves a lot to the imagination. We know all the men of the family died, but how? This stays true to the Biblical details and fleshes out the characters brilliantly. I loved it.

[Kay Cartee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound.. I love this book

I could not put this book down ! Read it all day. So profound and true. Yes , he store took some liberties but it also kept the true store in place. As a Hebrew I love reading our history retold.

[Shara Goswick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an absolutely beautiful story! The book of Ruth has always been one of my favorites from the Bible, and I loved the way the author told it.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

The story of Ruth brought to modern readers, maybe with less poetry than the Bible, but with as much power. Excuse Mr while I go back and read the biblical account.

[Daisey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loosely based on the Biblical story. Would not recommend.

[Vicki Scullion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice telling of the Biblical story of Ruth.

[Chanover55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reteling of the story of Ruth. Not for those with a faint heart as infant sacrifice, spousal abuse and other practices are portrayed. Couldn't put it down!

[Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story that brought the tale of Ruth alive. Even though this was biblically based, I think anyone would enjoy it.

[Mary A Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Story

I love the story of Ruth from the Bible. This novel based on that story was very interesting, the added dialogue and experiences made for a very good novel.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly interesting read of a Bible story reimagined. Truly enjoyable and one to remember. I would like to read more by this author & this genre.

[Virginia Childres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story of Ruth

I loved the additional pieces of this biblical story bringing in personalities of all the characters and, all the while, giving glory to El Shaddai.

[Dawn Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good read, a different perspective on the story of Ruth.