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The Song of Hannah
In the tradition of the international bestseller The Red Tent comes a beautiful, sexy novel featuring Hannah, one of the most well-known and beloved heroines of the Old Testament.
Hannah and Pninah, once close childhood friends, become rivals for the attention of Elkanah, the man who has married them both. Pninah, passionate and independent, easily bears Elkanah many children, but bitter that he has taken her friend as a second wife, seeks fulfillment with her own secret lover. Hannah, the epitome of goodness and grace, remains completely devoted to her husband, but remains childless for many years, until a promise to God brings her the son she has yearned for.
Despite their differences, these two women must learn to live together, protecting their own interests as well as each other’s, while sharing not only the love of their husband, but that of Hannah’s son Samuel, who will become one of the great prophets of the Jewish people.
292 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2005
25 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Eva Etzioni-Halevy
26 books68 followersEva Etzioni-Halevy is professor emeritus of political sociology at Bar-Ilan
Univeristy, Israel, now turned into a biblical novelist. A child Holocaust
survivor, she was born in Vienna, Austria. She managed to escape as a small
child with her parents in 1939 and spent World War II in Italy, partly in an
Italian concentration camp and partly in hiding. She moved to what was then
Palestine in 1945. She also spent time in the United States and Australia
before returning to Israel and taking up her position at Bar-Ilan. Eva lives
in Tel-Aviv with her husband; she has three grown children.
Univeristy, Israel, now turned into a biblical novelist. A child Holocaust
survivor, she was born in Vienna, Austria. She managed to escape as a small
child with her parents in 1939 and spent World War II in Italy, partly in an
Italian concentration camp and partly in hiding. She moved to what was then
Palestine in 1945. She also spent time in the United States and Australia
before returning to Israel and taking up her position at Bar-Ilan. Eva lives
in Tel-Aviv with her husband; she has three grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 3, 2024
Why I chose to read this book:
1. I'm interested in learning more about the people of the Bible, so when I saw this one on GR, I added it to my WTR list; and,
2. March 2024 is my "Biblical Fiction" Month.
Praises:
I learned how the Ark of the Covenant played a role during the wars between the Israelites and the Philistines, that the Temple was in Shiloh before it was built in Jerusalem, and I became a little more enlightened about Hannah, Pninah, Elkanah, and Samuel and their roles in the Bible.
Niggles:
1. every character was portrayed as one-dimensional! They all come off as being immature, sex-crazed, and only concerned about outward appearances, including their own. Initially, I had empathy for Pninah (one of Elkanah's two wives), but she quickly became greatly annoying with her constant fixation on her "sexy" dresses, her youthful looks, and when she was going to get her next "lay". Elkanah (the patriarch) is portrayed as a real ass but dumber than a post when it comes to Pninah's infidelity. Samuel (Hannah's eldest son and one of the Bible's greatest prophets) doesn't seem to be such a wise man at all with his lame predictions and by having the "hots" for Pninah, one of his father's wives who is older than him by 20 years. And as for the title character, Hannah, she was a HUGE letdown! Only thinking about her great beauty, she comes across as boring and thickheaded, wailing after finally realizing, decades later, that her husband, Elkanah, is an adulterer through and through. I was totally disgusted by her acceptance of her son, Samuel, and her "sister wife", Pninah's sexual attraction for each other;
2. the title is very misleading because the author doesn't even include Hannah's song! I had to check the Bible to read that; and,
3. even though the title features Hannah, the story itself is broken up evenly into two POVs, The Book of Hannah and The Book of Pninah. Personally, I think Pninah's "book" could have been omitted as it was redundant and repetitive.
Overall Thoughts:
What a hugely disappointing read! It lacked depth and believability. I understand that many authors need to take creative license for historical/Biblical fiction, but I think this particular author went overboard.
This book is more like a trashy romance novel than a well-researched Biblical story. If you're looking for good Biblical fiction, look elsewhere. Not recommended!
1. I'm interested in learning more about the people of the Bible, so when I saw this one on GR, I added it to my WTR list; and,
2. March 2024 is my "Biblical Fiction" Month.
Praises:
I learned how the Ark of the Covenant played a role during the wars between the Israelites and the Philistines, that the Temple was in Shiloh before it was built in Jerusalem, and I became a little more enlightened about Hannah, Pninah, Elkanah, and Samuel and their roles in the Bible.
Niggles:
1. every character was portrayed as one-dimensional! They all come off as being immature, sex-crazed, and only concerned about outward appearances, including their own. Initially, I had empathy for Pninah (one of Elkanah's two wives), but she quickly became greatly annoying with her constant fixation on her "sexy" dresses, her youthful looks, and when she was going to get her next "lay". Elkanah (the patriarch) is portrayed as a real ass but dumber than a post when it comes to Pninah's infidelity. Samuel (Hannah's eldest son and one of the Bible's greatest prophets) doesn't seem to be such a wise man at all with his lame predictions and by having the "hots" for Pninah, one of his father's wives who is older than him by 20 years. And as for the title character, Hannah, she was a HUGE letdown! Only thinking about her great beauty, she comes across as boring and thickheaded, wailing after finally realizing, decades later, that her husband, Elkanah, is an adulterer through and through. I was totally disgusted by her acceptance of her son, Samuel, and her "sister wife", Pninah's sexual attraction for each other;
2. the title is very misleading because the author doesn't even include Hannah's song! I had to check the Bible to read that; and,
3. even though the title features Hannah, the story itself is broken up evenly into two POVs, The Book of Hannah and The Book of Pninah. Personally, I think Pninah's "book" could have been omitted as it was redundant and repetitive.
Overall Thoughts:
What a hugely disappointing read! It lacked depth and believability. I understand that many authors need to take creative license for historical/Biblical fiction, but I think this particular author went overboard.
This book is more like a trashy romance novel than a well-researched Biblical story. If you're looking for good Biblical fiction, look elsewhere. Not recommended!
August 1, 2019
A passionate richly compelling and deeply human and romantic novel set against the splendid backdrop of ancient Israel.
A story of two women-Pninah passionate and impulsive, and Hannah, saintly and patient.
Both are exquisite beauties in their youth, and Pninah is married to a rich young heir Elkanah, when he seduces and the result if her pregnancy.
Hannah, renowned for her beauty is wooed by many young men, but stubbornly spurns them all, believing that there is a special man just for her.
Her heart is captured by Elkanah, and she becomes his second wife, much to the pain and resentment of Pninah.
This shapes events in the life of the family for decades to come.
While he shares a passionate lust for both women, it is Hannah whom he loves the most.Hannah suffers from years of remaining childless, and Pninah from the lack of love form Elkanah.
It is against this backdrop that we can understand her sin in taking a lover, the Canaanite Arnon-although it should be added that according to Halacha, a married Jewish women having sexual relations with a non-Jewish man is not regarded as severe a crime as if she had commited adultery with a Jewish lover-only the latter carried the death penalty.
We learn to have great compassion for both women, though they sea nd react in such different ways.
Hannah prays for a child and promises G-D that when she does he will be consecrated to service in the temple.
The author beautifully includes the famous Biblical scene of Eli rebuking Hannah because he thinks she is drunk, before realizing she is entranced by prayer.
Samule shows his skills as a prophet from a young age, and gathers a devoted following. Though there are many young girls who are eedovted to him and he takes one as a wife, he bears a secret and overbearing passion for Pninah which bears on his soul.
The book is rivetting as we wait to discover, for example whether Pninah's secret relationship with Arnon will be discovered by Elkanah, and the life of Pninah and her children destroyed,.or how whether Samuel's passion for Pninah will lead to one of the ulitmate sins. It does not.
The book is not only about romance but focuses also on Samuel's powers of prophecy and special connection the the Creator.
He says "The Lord is everywhere and nowhere, and no human being can lay eyes on him and live. Only Moses could see, not the Lord, but the light that emanates from his glory."
It is also set against the backdrop of the wars between Israel and her Philistine enemies. After capturing the Ark of the covenant from the Israelites, the Philistines took it to Ashdod, where it was placed in the temple of Dagon. The next morning Dagon was found prostrate, bowed down, before it; on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again found prostrate and broken. A great plague than broke out killing thousands of Philistines, which only abated after the Philistines returned the Ark to the Hebrews.
The author refers to the Philistines as being a terrifying people whose eyes were wide with hate. Anybody who has seen a Hamas or Hezbollah death rally on TV will understand this look of purer hate and destruction and imagine the Philistines looking just like them in different dress with different weapons.
Beautiful description of ancient Israel in times of war and peace: It is this hope enshrined in the depiction of the beauty of the land of Israel, the only homeland of the Jewish people, and the beauty of it's children living in peace: "Little houses lined both it's sides. sitting in front of them, old men and women basked in the last rays of the sun watching half naked children, their little feet caked with bare earth playing noisily.Mothers with babies on their hips stood in doorways, calling their children in to be fed, scolding the ones who tarried. Men, returning from the fields. weary from the fields, walking slowly, weary from the days toil, called out greetings to wives and children and neighbours."
A great modern contribution to the genre of Biblical fiction.
A story of two women-Pninah passionate and impulsive, and Hannah, saintly and patient.
Both are exquisite beauties in their youth, and Pninah is married to a rich young heir Elkanah, when he seduces and the result if her pregnancy.
Hannah, renowned for her beauty is wooed by many young men, but stubbornly spurns them all, believing that there is a special man just for her.
Her heart is captured by Elkanah, and she becomes his second wife, much to the pain and resentment of Pninah.
This shapes events in the life of the family for decades to come.
While he shares a passionate lust for both women, it is Hannah whom he loves the most.Hannah suffers from years of remaining childless, and Pninah from the lack of love form Elkanah.
It is against this backdrop that we can understand her sin in taking a lover, the Canaanite Arnon-although it should be added that according to Halacha, a married Jewish women having sexual relations with a non-Jewish man is not regarded as severe a crime as if she had commited adultery with a Jewish lover-only the latter carried the death penalty.
We learn to have great compassion for both women, though they sea nd react in such different ways.
Hannah prays for a child and promises G-D that when she does he will be consecrated to service in the temple.
The author beautifully includes the famous Biblical scene of Eli rebuking Hannah because he thinks she is drunk, before realizing she is entranced by prayer.
Samule shows his skills as a prophet from a young age, and gathers a devoted following. Though there are many young girls who are eedovted to him and he takes one as a wife, he bears a secret and overbearing passion for Pninah which bears on his soul.
The book is rivetting as we wait to discover, for example whether Pninah's secret relationship with Arnon will be discovered by Elkanah, and the life of Pninah and her children destroyed,.or how whether Samuel's passion for Pninah will lead to one of the ulitmate sins. It does not.
The book is not only about romance but focuses also on Samuel's powers of prophecy and special connection the the Creator.
He says "The Lord is everywhere and nowhere, and no human being can lay eyes on him and live. Only Moses could see, not the Lord, but the light that emanates from his glory."
It is also set against the backdrop of the wars between Israel and her Philistine enemies. After capturing the Ark of the covenant from the Israelites, the Philistines took it to Ashdod, where it was placed in the temple of Dagon. The next morning Dagon was found prostrate, bowed down, before it; on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again found prostrate and broken. A great plague than broke out killing thousands of Philistines, which only abated after the Philistines returned the Ark to the Hebrews.
The author refers to the Philistines as being a terrifying people whose eyes were wide with hate. Anybody who has seen a Hamas or Hezbollah death rally on TV will understand this look of purer hate and destruction and imagine the Philistines looking just like them in different dress with different weapons.
Beautiful description of ancient Israel in times of war and peace: It is this hope enshrined in the depiction of the beauty of the land of Israel, the only homeland of the Jewish people, and the beauty of it's children living in peace: "Little houses lined both it's sides. sitting in front of them, old men and women basked in the last rays of the sun watching half naked children, their little feet caked with bare earth playing noisily.Mothers with babies on their hips stood in doorways, calling their children in to be fed, scolding the ones who tarried. Men, returning from the fields. weary from the fields, walking slowly, weary from the days toil, called out greetings to wives and children and neighbours."
A great modern contribution to the genre of Biblical fiction.
February 15, 2008
Interesting look at the story of Hannah. It tells the lives of the two wives of Elkanah, one of which was Hannah the mother of Samuel. Although it tries to bring to light the womens struggles of being one of two wives the text seems to take huge liberties in the missing holes of the biblical text. The bible says that Samuel was highly respected and that it was his SONS that did not follow in his ways and turned away from God, NOT Samuel as the author implies. The bible goes on to say that the people say of Samuel that, "You have not cheated or oppressed us, you have not taken anything from anyone's hand." God had used Hannah in his plan to bring up someone that would fully follow God and replace the wicked sons of Eli. He would not have raised up someone who would have been worse than what was already in place at the temple. This would have been a waste of God's time. The author seems to defile some of the characters with her wild fabricated stories and twists what God intended to be good to be evil. I would not recommend this book.
May 1, 2019
Provocative, engaging, and human, Eva Etzioni-Halevy has produced a fine and entertaining piece of biblical fiction, well worth the time for those who enjoy the genre.
December 11, 2023
Books written about people from the Bible helps the reader to understand that the names we read in our Bibles were real people, with emotions, desires, ambitions. While this particular author embellished alot it was interesting to think about Hannah convincing Elkanah to allow their first born son to dedicated to the Lord and to go live at the Temple. Knowing Eli and his sons would he want his son growing up in the Temple? Did the two wives ever mend their relationship? According to this author they did become allies. She doesn't know and we can't know but it does make the reader think about events that we often read quickly and don't consider the daily ramifications of the choices made by the people in the Bible. I particularly love reading books about the women of the Bible, because every time I return to God's Word with new insights, and of course new questions.
October 1, 2019
Hannah and her childhood best friend, Pninah, marry the same man, Elkanah, and become bitter rivals. After many childless years, Hannah goes on to have a son, Samuel, who later becomes a prophet. Pninah, knowing her husband does not love her, but instead loves Hannah, finds another man to love.
The chapters are split, alternating between Hannah’s story and Pninah’s. I thought it was really good, but I must admit I did find Pninah’s story more interesting than Hannah’s, though overall I liked it enough to rate it 4 stars. I wasn’t as interested in the section of the book when the wars started, but it was only a brief section. I had been wondering about the title of the book, given that it is really only half Hannah’s story, but I guess the reason is because apparently there is something in the Bible by that title? I always appreciate having a historical note for any historical fiction that I read (which this one had).
The chapters are split, alternating between Hannah’s story and Pninah’s. I thought it was really good, but I must admit I did find Pninah’s story more interesting than Hannah’s, though overall I liked it enough to rate it 4 stars. I wasn’t as interested in the section of the book when the wars started, but it was only a brief section. I had been wondering about the title of the book, given that it is really only half Hannah’s story, but I guess the reason is because apparently there is something in the Bible by that title? I always appreciate having a historical note for any historical fiction that I read (which this one had).
November 17, 2008
Scandal, sex, and the Bible? Why they definitely do go hand-in-hand. This book put an interesting spin on the biblical story of the prophet Samuel. Given the time period that the Bible was written in, it was extremely rare to hear a woman's point of view. This story shares two: Hannah's and Pninah's, both of whom were married to the same man. One had all his love, but couldn't seem to bear his child, while the other had all his lust, but nothing else. I found it interesting that today we talk about how corrupt the world is, when thousands and thousands of years there were so many "customs" that were deemed acceptable that we would more than scoff at if practiced today.
Some reviews find it almost blasphemous that the author could make so many assumptions about a biblical text, but it took a story like this to help me make sense of stories that I grew up on in Sunday school. I can't remember the last time I finished a book, let alone in just a week.
Some reviews find it almost blasphemous that the author could make so many assumptions about a biblical text, but it took a story like this to help me make sense of stories that I grew up on in Sunday school. I can't remember the last time I finished a book, let alone in just a week.
July 10, 2008
Also recommended by my favorite independent bookstore, this was right up my alley. Historical fiction using biblical figures who alternate telling syncronistic stories -- Hannah and Pninah, wives of Elkanah -- this book explores the sexual and emotional lives of two very talented, intelligent, and socially oppressed women. The underlying momentum of the story is an unfolding of the origins of Samuel, Hannah's son, who she sacrafices to the temple and who becomes a reluctant but unmistakable prophet. The book explores the lives of women who must learn to live double lives -- that which pleases their husband and that which allows them to grow as intellectual and sexual beings. The tension between the women is very believable, as is the love and appreciation they have for each other.
September 21, 2008
Set in biblical Israel this is the tale of Salomon's Mother and family. There is the beautiful Hannah who is graceful and the epitome of the Hebrew woman. Pninah is beautiful, passionate and independent. These two women share the same husband. Pninah bears children easily while Hannah is barren for many years. Until Hannah conceives Salomon who she has promised to the Lord. Salomon becomes a great prophet and the two woman share a great love for him. It is a wonderful look at Hebrew life and the role women played in it. I really enjoyed this book!
May 9, 2008
Very disappointing book. I didn't like the "red tent" for the same reason. She took many huge liberties with Samuel the prophet. Apparently the reason Samuel moved back to the land of his parents was because he was secretly in love with his aunt. Dumb.
January 30, 2021
2.5 rounded down. Basically a biblical bodice ripper 🙄 The 4th section is where I really am having a hard time suspending disbelief. I have 30 pages to go but it's losing it's appeal. Having read this far I hate to not finish...
April 5, 2012
Quite frankly... too much sex. Perhaps too much speculation as well.
February 24, 2020
The book reads more like the tyranny of Elkanah over his two wives, how Pninanah gets back at Elkanah, and how Hannah found her life's purpose in Samuel (who went on to become King Saul's prophet/adviser).
February 2, 2019
All right, WHO goes to the BIBLE to find inspiration to write SMUT? Answer - the writer of this book does. That's my first reaction to this book.
Second, it's important to know that this is not a Christian novel and that there is nothing in the Bible to support that 70% of the events in this book ever happened.
The plot is about as shallow as it gets - two main characters Hannah and Pninah seem to have nothing else to think about other than their relationship with the husband they share and their jealousy of each other. It makes sense to read about it in two verses of the Bible but when someone decides to write a 270 page book about it, they have to be more creative than Eva Etzioni.
Apparently Elkanah's soul mate is Hannah but Pninah suits him better sexually which is why both of them have their place in Elkanah's life. In this book, it is difficult to relate to Hannah who is the second wife and the main reason for Pninah's misery, who, although she was the 1st one, never really captures her husband's heart. This leads to the ridiculous course of later events which aren't described in the Bible and therefore probably never really happened - that is, Pninah's adultery and the fact that she and Samuel fell in love with each other later. Yup. Told you it was ridiculous.
Don't waste your time reading this book.
Second, it's important to know that this is not a Christian novel and that there is nothing in the Bible to support that 70% of the events in this book ever happened.
The plot is about as shallow as it gets - two main characters Hannah and Pninah seem to have nothing else to think about other than their relationship with the husband they share and their jealousy of each other. It makes sense to read about it in two verses of the Bible but when someone decides to write a 270 page book about it, they have to be more creative than Eva Etzioni.
Apparently Elkanah's soul mate is Hannah but Pninah suits him better sexually which is why both of them have their place in Elkanah's life. In this book, it is difficult to relate to Hannah who is the second wife and the main reason for Pninah's misery, who, although she was the 1st one, never really captures her husband's heart. This leads to the ridiculous course of later events which aren't described in the Bible and therefore probably never really happened - that is, Pninah's adultery and the fact that she and Samuel fell in love with each other later. Yup. Told you it was ridiculous.
Don't waste your time reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2018
Well, in my last review (A Man Called Ove) I stated that I didn't mind when a story became rather unbelievable if the story was a good one. This time....eh....I think there was just too much fiction. I realize the Bible leaves MUCH detail out and leaves many, many holes for man to interpret it---thus all the different protestant religions in the world---- but this one was just too far fetched for my liking.
In the author's note at the end, it says that, "I found it suggestive that although Samuel had grown up in the Temple and afterward became a judge in another town, and thus had not lived in his father's town of Ramah since he was an infant, for no apparent reason, he subsequently moved back and made his home there." Hunh. Well, to me, and maybe it's just because it's interpreting the Bible in an odd way to me, that doesn't at all suggest that (spoiler alert) Samuel came home because he was in love with his father's wife. That's a huge stretch for me. Until all the riff raff business between Pninah and Samuel, I enjoyed the book pretty well. Maybe it's modern customs that I've let affect the lens of my vision but I just couldn't get my head around Samuel's great love being Pninah, his aunt.
In the author's note at the end, it says that, "I found it suggestive that although Samuel had grown up in the Temple and afterward became a judge in another town, and thus had not lived in his father's town of Ramah since he was an infant, for no apparent reason, he subsequently moved back and made his home there." Hunh. Well, to me, and maybe it's just because it's interpreting the Bible in an odd way to me, that doesn't at all suggest that (spoiler alert) Samuel came home because he was in love with his father's wife. That's a huge stretch for me. Until all the riff raff business between Pninah and Samuel, I enjoyed the book pretty well. Maybe it's modern customs that I've let affect the lens of my vision but I just couldn't get my head around Samuel's great love being Pninah, his aunt.
December 28, 2022
I'm being generous with 2 stars...This was mostly about who's cheating with who and depicts Elkanah as a rutting stag having sex with any female field servant between rows of wheat and his two wives that he is having sex multiple times a day, every day.
The jealousy and lack of love (which they all expose to have for their spouse or is it spouses?) of two wives that are loved for different reasons.
Ugh I just shook my head by the end of this. Even if the author and others say the infidelity was rampant and wrote to truth in ancient Israel, this just seemed like that's all this book was about. And then Hannah cries out buckets of tears and 40 years of marriage to find out he's been having sex with other women in addition to the one other wife he has.
Then Samuel...well most of her account was correct. But he also became...ugh I won't for spoiler alert.
Needless to say this author was not my "cup of tea". There could have been so much more depth to these characters.
The jealousy and lack of love (which they all expose to have for their spouse or is it spouses?) of two wives that are loved for different reasons.
Ugh I just shook my head by the end of this. Even if the author and others say the infidelity was rampant and wrote to truth in ancient Israel, this just seemed like that's all this book was about. And then Hannah cries out buckets of tears and 40 years of marriage to find out he's been having sex with other women in addition to the one other wife he has.
Then Samuel...well most of her account was correct. But he also became...ugh I won't for spoiler alert.
Needless to say this author was not my "cup of tea". There could have been so much more depth to these characters.
January 14, 2024
It read really strange. For example, a scene that the author was trying to make erotic, read like the English side of an ArtScroll Siddur. lol. Like really stupid.
Also, the plot was super unrealistic. My husband was reading over my shoulder and we were just sitting there confused. Like…does the author hate Hannah & Penina?
She basically condemned Hannah, a super passionate powerful woman of the Bible, and my namesake, to a life of only emotional love and nothing physical.
I thought it was incredibly disheartening and heartbreaking to be able to choose any life for these biblical figures and instead she chose them to be…miserable? Having an asshole husband? Being a narcissist who thinks she’s destined for greatness? Like…just why? Why do that?
And letting chanas 13 yr old son fall for his father’s wife? Like…ew so ew.
Gross level 100
Writing 50
Plot 25
Also, the plot was super unrealistic. My husband was reading over my shoulder and we were just sitting there confused. Like…does the author hate Hannah & Penina?
She basically condemned Hannah, a super passionate powerful woman of the Bible, and my namesake, to a life of only emotional love and nothing physical.
I thought it was incredibly disheartening and heartbreaking to be able to choose any life for these biblical figures and instead she chose them to be…miserable? Having an asshole husband? Being a narcissist who thinks she’s destined for greatness? Like…just why? Why do that?
And letting chanas 13 yr old son fall for his father’s wife? Like…ew so ew.
Gross level 100
Writing 50
Plot 25
October 2, 2015
For me, this book should have been titled the song of Pninah. Her story spoke more loudly and evoked more emotion from me than Hannah's story. The book is written in both equal parts of Hannah and Pninah. Their lives were deeply entwined. But very early on I had a loathing for Hannah and quickly sided with Pninah and felt compassion and understanding for all that she did and celebrated her joys.
It is a story of two girlhood friends who come to share the same husband. This circumstance destroys their friendship but not their love for one another. It is a relationship that brings each woman great sorrow, but also great love and contentment.
It is a story of two girlhood friends who come to share the same husband. This circumstance destroys their friendship but not their love for one another. It is a relationship that brings each woman great sorrow, but also great love and contentment.
January 31, 2015
Beautifully written. It kept me at the edge of my seat and left me craving it and wanting more. I did side wih Pninah and found her stories much more intresting and l could relate to her. I love how every single character was portrayed and even though Elkanah was not meant to be a villain, i did find myself hating him and that dislike for him never went away. I do understand that this story was not close or accurate to the story in the Bible but it was entertaining and i truly enjoyed it. Great job and i do recommend it to anyone mature of age. Once again it wasnt bad at all.
September 20, 2010
This is historical fiction about the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel from the Old Testament.
Why do authors writing biblical fiction feel that it's necessary to slander the good men of the bible in order to celebrate the women? You'd think from reading this book that sex was the central focus of Penninah and Elkanah's lives. Samuel's character in the book is like a robotic psychic.
The book was pure crap!
Why do authors writing biblical fiction feel that it's necessary to slander the good men of the bible in order to celebrate the women? You'd think from reading this book that sex was the central focus of Penninah and Elkanah's lives. Samuel's character in the book is like a robotic psychic.
The book was pure crap!
November 23, 2014
This is the story of Hannah and her first born son, Samuel from Samuel 1 of the Bible. Other than a few facts from the Bible, however, the rest of the story is a fictional account. It follows Hannah and her best friend, Pninnah from age 14 as they meet and fall in love with their future shared husband, Elkanah. I was somewhat offended by the focus on sexuality throughout most of the book, but perhaps this was culturally accurate and a sign of their neighboring tribes of the Caananites.
August 22, 2008
More Biblical Fiction that seeks to make those called by God to be "human" by debasing them. While I do not believe these individuals were perfect, I do believe they were obedient to the Law of Moses.
I will not be finishing this book.
I will not be finishing this book.
November 30, 2011
2 and 1/2 stars.
Poor character development. All anyone seemed concerned about was sex. I also thought the depiction of the time period was inconsisitent; there were often some very modern descriptions.
Poor character development. All anyone seemed concerned about was sex. I also thought the depiction of the time period was inconsisitent; there were often some very modern descriptions.
November 13, 2011
I love all books about women in the bible, and Eva Etzioni-Halevy is one of the best out there who tells stories from the past very beautifully you'll feel as if you're there right in their minds - traveling with them in their journeys, love and life.
April 19, 2012
Whoa... There was a whole lot of sexin' happening in this book. I enjoyed it, though it did make me feel a little uncomfortable at times - too much vagina talk. That said, I do enjoy a good biblical yarn. I would recommend this to anyone that read Sarah or the Red Tent and liked them.
September 5, 2014
Tired and one dimensional: woman with desire for sex and social status tries to satisfy her needs in misogynist context. Dim imitation of Diamondt's Red Tent. This book would be enjoyed by readers of romance novels, and less so by those interested in history, religion, or women's studies.
February 9, 2015
WE read this for the Or Adam book club. I didn't particular care for the book, but the structure and idea was interesting. It was a little too much 'desperate housewives".
September 4, 2007
Well written. Interesting bible story and examination of the conflict between multiple wives but it just didn't speak to me. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind while reading it.
July 23, 2009
Loved this book! Story of two women's lives during biblical times. Book goes from one women to the other (like a diary.) Definitely worth reading. Also found it educational about that period.
April 17, 2010
I was deeply disappointed in this novel - perhaps because I expected something of the quality of The Red Tent. I thought the book was shallow, the research limited, and the story line weak.
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