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Esther
Artaxerxes, King of Persia, needs a wife. He picks the one girl who would have given anything to be passed a Jewish scholar, Esther, from the back streets of his capital, Shushan. To a King bored by the chattering of women wreathed in musky scents, this changeling is a breath of fresh air. But the new Queen of Persia is lost in a world of protocol, and soon loses her husband's favour. Worse, she has to hide her faith and deny her origins - for Haman, the King's favourite, is an Amelekite, an ancient enemy of the Jews, and determined to have revenge. Esther's only hope to avert a holocaust is to risk her own life and go, uninvited, before a King who has already disposed of one unpopular wife...
180 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
21 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Norah Lofts
106 books309 followersNorah Ethel Robinson Lofts Jorisch (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 14, 2022
Whether they're observant or not, most members of the worldwide Jewish community are familiar with the holiday Purim, commemorating the 5th-century B.C. deliverance, as a result of the courageous intervention by Queen Esther, of the Persian Empire's Jewish population from a genocide planned by the king's vizier, Haman. The historical background of this is recounted in the Old Testament book of Esther, written by an anonymous author probably not long after the events, so is also familiar to Christians versed in the Bible. First published in 1950, this novella by British historical fiction writer Norah Lofts is a fictionalized re-telling of the key parts of the Biblical story. Since in the light of ancient practices, we can infer that Esther was, at the time, in her teens --this was her first (and as far as we know, only) marriage, and she hadn't been married very long-- the author and publisher marketed the book to teens. However, there's nothing inherently "kiddish" about the storyline or treatment here; it can appeal to historical genre fans of any age.
At just 141 pages of actual text, this is a relatively quick read. It's not, however, a superficial one. On the contrary, it has a considerable degree of psychological depth. While the sequence of outward historical events is often reasonably well-documented, it's often difficult or impossible for a nonfiction historian to attempt to reconstruct the inner psychology and character of the people involved. This is where the fictional, interpretive element of historical fiction comes in, with its imaginative reconstruction of behind-the-scenes conversations and ability to get inside the character's heads. As she does in Crown of Aloes, Lofts (who's a longstanding favorite author of mine) excels at this kind of thing. All five main characters are very well developed, and she fleshes out the events of the biblical story in such a way that the underlying psychology is entirely understandable and realistic at every stage. The treatment of the biblical material here, like that in How Far to Bethlehem?, is respectful; Christian and Jewish readers will find the novel faith-friendly. (While far from ascetic, and not wearing her faith on her sleeve, Lofts herself was an Anglican Christian who took the spiritual side of life seriously.) She crafts her plot here impeccably; re-telling the whole Old Testament book would have been anti-climactic, but she quits here on the perfect ending.
Nits, of course, can be picked here with regard to historical accuracy. Lofts was a secondary school history teacher before becoming a writer; but her knowledge of history was primarily of European (and especially British) history, not that of the ancient Near East, and she normally wrote about the former, not the latter. That shows here. Her most glaring error is confusing Esther's actual husband, Xerxes (that name is Greek; he's called by his Persian name, Ahasuerus, in the Bible) with his son and successor, Artaxerxes I, whose name is consistently used here. She assumes that the Jews were still forbidden to return to Judea at this time, but the Babylonian Captivity had ended with the decree of the first Persian king, Cyrus, in the preceding century; Jews still living in the eastern parts of the empire did so from choice. Given the sexism of that day, it's unlikely that Esther would have been taught to read; and "Jehovah" is not a real divine name that Jews in any era ever used (it's actually a mistranslation of "Yahweh" that first appeared in the early English-language Bibles). Other quibbles could be listed, but these can suffice for review purposes.
However, none of these inaccuracies kept me from really enjoying the book. Accuracy is obviously a plus in historical fiction; but it's not the only factor that can contribute to the appeal of a storyline!
At just 141 pages of actual text, this is a relatively quick read. It's not, however, a superficial one. On the contrary, it has a considerable degree of psychological depth. While the sequence of outward historical events is often reasonably well-documented, it's often difficult or impossible for a nonfiction historian to attempt to reconstruct the inner psychology and character of the people involved. This is where the fictional, interpretive element of historical fiction comes in, with its imaginative reconstruction of behind-the-scenes conversations and ability to get inside the character's heads. As she does in Crown of Aloes, Lofts (who's a longstanding favorite author of mine) excels at this kind of thing. All five main characters are very well developed, and she fleshes out the events of the biblical story in such a way that the underlying psychology is entirely understandable and realistic at every stage. The treatment of the biblical material here, like that in How Far to Bethlehem?, is respectful; Christian and Jewish readers will find the novel faith-friendly. (While far from ascetic, and not wearing her faith on her sleeve, Lofts herself was an Anglican Christian who took the spiritual side of life seriously.) She crafts her plot here impeccably; re-telling the whole Old Testament book would have been anti-climactic, but she quits here on the perfect ending.
Nits, of course, can be picked here with regard to historical accuracy. Lofts was a secondary school history teacher before becoming a writer; but her knowledge of history was primarily of European (and especially British) history, not that of the ancient Near East, and she normally wrote about the former, not the latter. That shows here. Her most glaring error is confusing Esther's actual husband, Xerxes (that name is Greek; he's called by his Persian name, Ahasuerus, in the Bible) with his son and successor, Artaxerxes I, whose name is consistently used here. She assumes that the Jews were still forbidden to return to Judea at this time, but the Babylonian Captivity had ended with the decree of the first Persian king, Cyrus, in the preceding century; Jews still living in the eastern parts of the empire did so from choice. Given the sexism of that day, it's unlikely that Esther would have been taught to read; and "Jehovah" is not a real divine name that Jews in any era ever used (it's actually a mistranslation of "Yahweh" that first appeared in the early English-language Bibles). Other quibbles could be listed, but these can suffice for review purposes.
However, none of these inaccuracies kept me from really enjoying the book. Accuracy is obviously a plus in historical fiction; but it's not the only factor that can contribute to the appeal of a storyline!
August 12, 2022
Esther is Jewish, but her husband the king of Persia doesn’t know it. Which is rather a problem, as he has allowed his courtier Haman to order the massacre of all the Jews in his empire.
Did I really need to give a summary? It’s in the Bible!
This was a short, swift read, starting with the casting out of the first queen Vashti and ending with the reunion of Esther and Artaxerxes. The author is fairly faithful to the plot of the Book of Esther, but she softens some of the odd or gruesome aspects – for example, Artaxerxes’s decree that the Jews may defend themselves is omitted, with the writ merely being reversed instead.
I enjoyed the depth of characterization that Lofts brings to the story. Esther is pretty, sure, but what wins Artaxerxes over from the start is her wit and personality. Artaxerxes (what a pain to type, alas) is lovable but shallow, a deficit he realizes by the end of the book. Even more minor characters like Vashti are sketched out in a clear and compelling manner.
I only wish the characterization of Haman was elaborated on, as he pops up early on as a villain and his behavior is ascribed to an inflating ego and his nation’s hatred of the Jews. I would have liked to see more nuance in him, if only to dislike him more!
Did I really need to give a summary? It’s in the Bible!
This was a short, swift read, starting with the casting out of the first queen Vashti and ending with the reunion of Esther and Artaxerxes. The author is fairly faithful to the plot of the Book of Esther, but she softens some of the odd or gruesome aspects – for example, Artaxerxes’s decree that the Jews may defend themselves is omitted, with the writ merely being reversed instead.
I enjoyed the depth of characterization that Lofts brings to the story. Esther is pretty, sure, but what wins Artaxerxes over from the start is her wit and personality. Artaxerxes (what a pain to type, alas) is lovable but shallow, a deficit he realizes by the end of the book. Even more minor characters like Vashti are sketched out in a clear and compelling manner.
I only wish the characterization of Haman was elaborated on, as he pops up early on as a villain and his behavior is ascribed to an inflating ego and his nation’s hatred of the Jews. I would have liked to see more nuance in him, if only to dislike him more!
April 11, 2015
Norah Lofts is one of my favorite authors and this little gem that I've wanted to read for a long time and is now available digitally on Kindle Unlimited didn't disappoint. If it had been 200 pages longer I might have given it 5 stars, as it is it probably deserves 5 stars anyway, but I don't like to hand them out too freely and make the rating meaningless. (I really like to read a book at least twice before I give it 5 stars).
Esther is one of those Bible stories that leaves you with mixed feelings (name one that doesn't) you're glad to have the spotlight on a woman for a change, but it almost makes things worse. Do we really need a story about a woman whose one talent and virtue was her beauty? Some may argue, "well in the Hebrew blah blah blah." Whatever. So something got lost in translation -- that's the point, of all the things that could have been said about her by the time 2015 rolls around her looks are all that has survived. Esther was the most beautiful woman in an empire that extended halfway across the globe? Not buying it.
Lofts develops some believable three-dimensional characters that seem true to their time and place. Vashti becomes fascinating and admirable, Esther more than just a pretty face and Artaxerxes more than just a title. It is a fast read that feels a bit like a play and leaves you with plenty to think about afterwards. This is a book you definitely want hanging around the house for your kids to pick up one boring day and discover the richness of the ancient world and the still persistent imbalances in male/female relations.
Esther is one of those Bible stories that leaves you with mixed feelings (name one that doesn't) you're glad to have the spotlight on a woman for a change, but it almost makes things worse. Do we really need a story about a woman whose one talent and virtue was her beauty? Some may argue, "well in the Hebrew blah blah blah." Whatever. So something got lost in translation -- that's the point, of all the things that could have been said about her by the time 2015 rolls around her looks are all that has survived. Esther was the most beautiful woman in an empire that extended halfway across the globe? Not buying it.
Lofts develops some believable three-dimensional characters that seem true to their time and place. Vashti becomes fascinating and admirable, Esther more than just a pretty face and Artaxerxes more than just a title. It is a fast read that feels a bit like a play and leaves you with plenty to think about afterwards. This is a book you definitely want hanging around the house for your kids to pick up one boring day and discover the richness of the ancient world and the still persistent imbalances in male/female relations.
December 25, 2011
Does anyone else compare a good book with something good to eat?
For me, a book can have a taste to it. It can be sweet or sour, savory or bitter, as heavy as a seven course meal or insubstantial as cotton candy. This book was light with plenty of romance and exotically, (but safely), foreign, but I wouldn’t give it the same candy box and cocktail feeling I assign to a romance novel, and yet, despite the danger the characters are in, it isn’t the vitamin rich fruit, vegetables and protein balanced meal of important literature or serious non fiction. I simply enjoyed this book, loving it so much I half wanted to cram the pages in my mouth to savor it.
This version of Esther is like a really good old school re-telling of Beauty and the Beast or The Arabian Nights – the ending a forgone conclusion, the twists and turns of the plot known ahead of time, the characters well known – but the magic of these retellings is in the setting, and Norah Lofts lavishes attention on her setting here.
Lofts excels in letting the reader know the color of every drop of wine poured, the beauty of the jewels adorning every forehead, the smell of the dust and dirt in the back alleys, the taste of the banquets of exotic food, the feel of every piece of fabric, from the rags to the silks, and sound of horses galloping across a desert plain, bearing messages of life and death importance.
And the characters? Stock characters brought to life – not to full three dimensional, but slightly better than cardboard. We see into the hearts of Esther, of Ahasuerus, of Haman, and even Vashti, and we see into the cool, logical mind of Mordecai - the man is an absolute Vulcan with his cold attachment to pure logic. It’s an important trait to have in a crisis, so I’m not complaining, mind you, cause he’s cool headedness saves the day, buuuuuuut it doesn’t exactly make you emphasize with him as he sells out people left and right “for the greater good.” Groan.
Lofts delights in showing off the Persian court, wrapping up the who quasi-historical event in the language of fairy tales. So, happy endings for everyone, except the villain, and they all lived happily ever after, (except Hamy)
For me, a book can have a taste to it. It can be sweet or sour, savory or bitter, as heavy as a seven course meal or insubstantial as cotton candy. This book was light with plenty of romance and exotically, (but safely), foreign, but I wouldn’t give it the same candy box and cocktail feeling I assign to a romance novel, and yet, despite the danger the characters are in, it isn’t the vitamin rich fruit, vegetables and protein balanced meal of important literature or serious non fiction. I simply enjoyed this book, loving it so much I half wanted to cram the pages in my mouth to savor it.
This version of Esther is like a really good old school re-telling of Beauty and the Beast or The Arabian Nights – the ending a forgone conclusion, the twists and turns of the plot known ahead of time, the characters well known – but the magic of these retellings is in the setting, and Norah Lofts lavishes attention on her setting here.
Lofts excels in letting the reader know the color of every drop of wine poured, the beauty of the jewels adorning every forehead, the smell of the dust and dirt in the back alleys, the taste of the banquets of exotic food, the feel of every piece of fabric, from the rags to the silks, and sound of horses galloping across a desert plain, bearing messages of life and death importance.
And the characters? Stock characters brought to life – not to full three dimensional, but slightly better than cardboard. We see into the hearts of Esther, of Ahasuerus, of Haman, and even Vashti, and we see into the cool, logical mind of Mordecai - the man is an absolute Vulcan with his cold attachment to pure logic. It’s an important trait to have in a crisis, so I’m not complaining, mind you, cause he’s cool headedness saves the day, buuuuuuut it doesn’t exactly make you emphasize with him as he sells out people left and right “for the greater good.” Groan.
Lofts delights in showing off the Persian court, wrapping up the who quasi-historical event in the language of fairy tales. So, happy endings for everyone, except the villain, and they all lived happily ever after, (except Hamy)
September 22, 2015
I love this story. One of my favorite Bible stories and Norah Lofts truly does it justice. although a shorter novel it is packed with detail and witty dialogue. I have a couple other books by Norah Lofts and I am looking forward to reading those.
April 14, 2021
A beautiful Jewish woman earns the love of a great king but will his love be enough to save her when she must risk her life to save her people.
After his Queen was dismissed over an error in her judgement, the King of Persia must have a replacement. He charges his trusted subjects with the task of finding the most beautiful women in all the lands so that he may his pick. Born a Jew and raised by her uncle, Esther is unlike most girls her age, instead of caring about her appearance she’d rather enrich her mind by learning. Nevertheless her uncle believes that she would be the perfect choice and he was right. Besides the fact that she truly is beautiful, it’s her inquisitive nature which highlights her and provides the King with an easy choice, although she never reveals her race. Esther grows to earnestly love the King and when her uncle learns of a plot by the King’s household to kill all the Jews, she must test that love and risk everything to ensure her people don’t perish.
The Book of Esther is one of my favorites in the Bible and this book follows it pretty well. I enjoyed the life that the author filled in for Esther, she gave her more substance and made her very likable. I’ve always had much respect for Esther, not just for her bravery but for her love in God and the faith to know that everything will work out regardless of the supposed outcome.
After his Queen was dismissed over an error in her judgement, the King of Persia must have a replacement. He charges his trusted subjects with the task of finding the most beautiful women in all the lands so that he may his pick. Born a Jew and raised by her uncle, Esther is unlike most girls her age, instead of caring about her appearance she’d rather enrich her mind by learning. Nevertheless her uncle believes that she would be the perfect choice and he was right. Besides the fact that she truly is beautiful, it’s her inquisitive nature which highlights her and provides the King with an easy choice, although she never reveals her race. Esther grows to earnestly love the King and when her uncle learns of a plot by the King’s household to kill all the Jews, she must test that love and risk everything to ensure her people don’t perish.
The Book of Esther is one of my favorites in the Bible and this book follows it pretty well. I enjoyed the life that the author filled in for Esther, she gave her more substance and made her very likable. I’ve always had much respect for Esther, not just for her bravery but for her love in God and the faith to know that everything will work out regardless of the supposed outcome.
January 9, 2020
What a delightful little story! It’s so fun and light and doesn’t bog itself down by being a Weighty Historical Text. The characters come off as actual people, not historical figures, the dialogue is so natural and fun and it just breeze by. I loved “The Concubine” and I’m excited to read more of Loft’s work.
January 16, 2021
excellent rendition of the book of the Bible Esther
All of the characters in the book of Esther in the Old Testament Bible. It breathes life into those characters and makes them human. They become more than characters in a book, but people we can identify with. We can understand their fear, their happiness, and their struggle to be courageous.
All of the characters in the book of Esther in the Old Testament Bible. It breathes life into those characters and makes them human. They become more than characters in a book, but people we can identify with. We can understand their fear, their happiness, and their struggle to be courageous.
June 18, 2020
A really good read
I'm a huge fan of Norah Loft's books. This book is no exception, the characters are well developed, dress and the customs of the time are described well, an entertaining retelling of an ancient tale.
I'm a huge fan of Norah Loft's books. This book is no exception, the characters are well developed, dress and the customs of the time are described well, an entertaining retelling of an ancient tale.
September 22, 2020
My gut always told me Esther’s mind was even greater than what was ever recorded as was her bold character and good deeds for her country and people.
First, I will never grow tired of Esther’s story it’s my most favorite BOOK in the Bible! Rich with diversity from a religious perspective. This version was cooler in my opinion because it provided more depth to female characters especially Vashti! Woah, I had serious respect for her in the end!
This book gives a glimpse into Esther the Queen I look foward to a story where someone goes further in enhancing her complex story as Norah’s was a exciting tease of the story’s potential.
First, I will never grow tired of Esther’s story it’s my most favorite BOOK in the Bible! Rich with diversity from a religious perspective. This version was cooler in my opinion because it provided more depth to female characters especially Vashti! Woah, I had serious respect for her in the end!
This book gives a glimpse into Esther the Queen I look foward to a story where someone goes further in enhancing her complex story as Norah’s was a exciting tease of the story’s potential.
January 5, 2022
A good read, if short. That the plot line is simple and linear is a problem, but that's what happens when you rewrite a Biblical story. You have to stick to the facts as put down and can weave only so many embellishments around it.
October 10, 2017
Fictionally expanded but true to the Biblical version. It was entertaining as well as clarifying some of the rather vague events.
January 28, 2019
Love the Story of Esther
Beautifully written although fictional Nora does justi e to the tale of the beloved Esther. A tale of love, courage, and wisdom.
Beautifully written although fictional Nora does justi e to the tale of the beloved Esther. A tale of love, courage, and wisdom.
October 15, 2020
An interesting read, expanding the Biblical account of Esther. It is written for a young adult audience, evident by some of the style (sometimes over-explanatory) Glad I read it.
April 8, 2021
Once names of the actual characters change if you're doing a story on the biblical version, I have issues
October 18, 2016
3.5 stars. Charming, light and amusing: a little amuse-bouche which transforms Persian history and Biblical legend into a smart fairytale. For my full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2016/10/18/e...
https://theidlewoman.net/2016/10/18/e...
September 16, 2011
A short, fictional narrative based on the story of Esther. It was a fast and engaging read with details of how it might have been for Esther and becoming the Queen. The Bible story will still be my favorite way to learn about her.
May 12, 2013
The story of Queen Esther written as a novel. I know the story from the Bible very well so it was good to read how things were in that land during that time, what clothes and food were available and how parties and households were run. Well written and completely enjoyable.
January 18, 2014
Another great story by Norah Lofts
I love novels that bring history to life. Norah Lofts does this remarkably. I feel that I now know Esther as I never did before. Excellent story!
I love novels that bring history to life. Norah Lofts does this remarkably. I feel that I now know Esther as I never did before. Excellent story!
May 7, 2017
This is my favorite bible story and they made it into a book : ) I liked it a lot
December 25, 2023
I do enjoy Norah Loft's character portrayals, makes stories really come alive.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews