By the Rivers of Babylon: A Novel

by Michael D. O'Brien

By the Rivers of Babylon presents the early life of the prophet Ezekiel, from his childhood to his service in the Temple to the Babylonian Captivity, where he was enslaved among the exiles along the River Chebar.

Ezekiel, a bricklayer, is simple and timid. He is not yet a priest, and his visions have not yet begun. He stands in the midst of the Jewish exiles as they struggle to build a town of their own, to remain faithful to God's covenant without the Temple, and to discern the various forces that threaten to divide them and erode their faith. All of these experiences flow like streams into Ezekiel's later mission to rally his people from inner destruction.

What makes a prophet? Why was this man chosen? Michael O'Brien offers an intimate glimpse into the mind and heart of a visionary.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Faith, Novels, Religion

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2022

About the author

Michael D. O'Brien is a Roman Catholic author, artist, and frequent essayist and lecturer on faith and culture, living in Combermere, Ontario, Canada.

Reviews

[Richard Bicknase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably give this 4.5 stars if that were an option.

When I saw a few months ago that this novel was published late last year, I immediately made a request for my library to get a copy. I consider any new novel by O'Brien to be a must read. It is now true again for me to say I have read all of O'Brien's novels.

The Biblical historical fiction genre of this novel is a genre I find awkward, but this was an enjoyable read, and I enjoyed this novel more than Theophilos. The theme of faithfulness in all circumstances is an important one, as are hearing warnings of being seduced by prosperity or compromise.

Since I've read them all, below is my current power ranking of all of O'Brien's novels:
1. The Island of the World
2. The Father's Tale
3. The Lighthouse
4. Plague Journal
5. The Sabbatical
6. By the Rivers of Babylon
7. Sophia House
8. Strangers and Sojourners
9. Voyage to Alpha Centauri
10. Theophilos
11 Elijah in Jerusalem
12. Letter to the Future
13. The Fool of New York City
14. A Cry of Stone
15. Eclipse of the Sun
16. Father Elijah

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael D. O'Brien has a way of bringing you right into the story and in a very subtle manner, opening your mind and heart to the things taking place in the story.

Ezekiel's story is told from the time he was a child up until about the 5th year of Babylonian captivity. I wish it had gone on and on. I hated to let it go.

So, tomorrow, I will read the book of Ezekiel to bring to mind his prophecies.

Yes, a very good read.

[Luke Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a Michael O’Brien book that I didn’t adore. This was phenomenal and came exactly at the time I needed it most. The Dostoyevsky of our age.

[Jose Ovalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, it really brought the exile to light for me in new ways. My only complaint is that I wish this wasn’t a prologue to the book of Ezekiel but it told the story of Ezekiel and his prophecies. But that’s always my critique of O’Brien’s books— I just want them to be longer dangit!!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing historical fiction detailing the life of the prophet Ezekiel from childhood to captivity in Babylon. I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days! It makes me want to reread Ezekiel in the Bible and learn more about him.

[Robert Federline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael D. O'Brien is a prophet for our times. Each and all of his books deal with our human condition, and call us to a repentance and a return to God. At the same time, he realizes that in this age of skeptics and critics and extreme humanism, that we do not listen well, if at all, to those who tell us the truth in a direct, plain and unvarnished fashion. So instead, he uses parables.

This book is set in the time of Ezekiel, the great prophet. There are, of course, multiple biblical references, but he does not tell us this tale from the perspective of Ezekiel, nor any his contemporaries whom we might instantly recognize (such as Daniel and his friends, facing the fiery furnace or the lion's den). The genius of reaching his audience with his message, and with the message God is constantly sending to His people, is that it is told from the perspective of an individual who knows God, but at the same time is keenly aware of the sinfulness of the time in which he lived.

This story could just as easily have been written in current times, but would not as effectively reach its audience. It is hard for people to see the issues which are too close to them. Placed in another time, or in another place, the lessons leap out at us. Placed in our own lives and we immediately start to justify and explain.

The faith of Yezekiel, our primary guide in this cautionary tale, is real, and is tested. The tests we can see all around us in contemporary society, although we would dismiss any discussion or recognition of them.

This novel is a wake-up call to peoople of faith, challenging how we live in this world today, and making us take a hard look at our relationship with God and with our Faith. It is, as all of his books are, excellent reading which cannot be over-recommended.

[Luke Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting, but it was a good read nonetheless. I expected, being not very familiar with either the book or person of Ezekiel, something like the story of Jeremiah, a spurned prophet. This was wholly a pre-prophetic story of Ezekiel, and focused instead on Ezekiel’s youth in Judah, and subsequent deportation and life in Babylon. As with the Michael O’Brien I’ve read, much of the book is meditative, on various themes; there is nothing earth-shattering, but much that is good to ponder.

[Joyce Stowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings to life the subject of the Old Testament book about the prophet, Ezechiel, and his plight during his captivity in Babylon. It’s about perseverance and hope in God, and one of its most poignant quotes sums up the book for me — “There is no end to hope. The greater the darkness, the more complete our trust should be. In the Most High is our confidence. He is our hope and our salvation.”

[Siyao Xing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I expected too much for this novel and hoped for too high. I wished it could help me appreciate the prophets and the history more and feel more related. The book is well written and it was easy to get into the story. I really enjoyed the first few chapters. And yet the characters all seem to be a little flat, such as the good people are too perfect and bad people completely evil. Also I feel some of the plots are just too modern, such as the dating scenario, liberal scholars etc, it feels funny and make me frown in the story. The second half of the story is less inspiring than the first half, I would give a 3.5 if that was an option.

[Pablo Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this a four-star rating on the hopes that it is only the first part of a two-part book set. It is interesting reading, and the setting of the Hebrew exile in Babylon is an interesting one. The writing is good though not exceptional. It stops just as Ezekiel gets called into the priesthood. The prophecies of the Biblical book of Ezekiel are not touched upon, for this story tells what takes place before. If there is another book to be written in the set, I will read it. If this is just a stand-alone book, the author gave up on it way too quickly and abruptly.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, uplifting, amazing!

I've read the entire series (sojourners/elijah) from Michael O'Brien and loved the series. With this book, I finished very quickly ... I couldn't put it down. The story of Yezekial: so beautiful. I know it's fictional, but it seems it could be reality. Mr. O'Brien is so awesome at bringing my faith to the front of my every thought. Thank-you for this book!

[Mary E. Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have read all of Michael D. O'Brien's books. This book doesn't disappoint. I have sometimes wondered what the Hebrews did while in exile in Babylon. They were not just sitting around. I'm assuming O'Brien has done his homework and this book is as close to "what really happened" as it can be.
His gentle style and readability made this book a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

[Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's my high-lite from O'Brien's book that maybe sums up the message:

...thus I force myself to be faithful to worship, lifting my voice in praise to him and thanking him for what is good in the world, though the world is filling with confusion and darkness, the plaything of the serpent. All the while my prayers feel like dust thrown upward into the wind, invariably falling back to the earth.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vivid account of the captives of Babylon from the perspective of the young prophet Ezekiel. Well researched in ancient Hebrew religion as well as the customs of their captors, this historical novel is an immersion into the details surrounding the exile
.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book imagines what it might have been like for Ezekiel in his early years as one of the exiles in Babylon. This is a beautiful story which includes a lot of helpful historical and cultural context.

[Gregory Van Den Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. The book deals with the early life of the prophet Ezekiel to the first five years of his life in exile. The book reveals how the exiles survived the beginning hardships of living in exile. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A retelling of scripture in the form of a novel. The most memorable part was the last few pages.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sorry! I finished this book a couple of months ago and truly enjoyed it. I’ve read a few of his books and enjoyed them all. I recommend this and all his books.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending!!

[Carl Schlabach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a solid book. Although, upon reading the last chapter, the story took a turn when I realized that it was missing an entire 10 pages😢

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a classic Michael O’Brien book, which is a great joy to me:)

[Jina Biller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

My first historical fiction. A reminder of how to keep the correct perspective of God through all circumstances. A great read.

[Bryan Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few Michael O'Brien books and this may be the best yet. Historical fiction from the time of the Babylonian invasion of Israel in the 6th century BC. Moving. Loved it.

[Erika Baumann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book took me forever to get through. The writing was simple and disjointed. I read it through to the end, only because it was a book club read I wanted to give a fair shot to.

[Rafael Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro confirma a Michael O'Brien como uno de mis autores favoritos. La historia, narrada de una manera sencilla e intima, nos acerca a la manera como deben haber vivido las personas comunes y corrientes la destrucción del Templo de Jerusalén por los babilonios alrededor del año 586 a.C., lo que marcó el fin del Reino de Judá y el inicio del exilio para muchos judíos. La narración la hace en persona del profeta Ezequiel, quien durante 22 años predicó al pueblo de Israel en el desierto, animándolo a no perder la fe en un mundo hostil. Un mensaje de gran actualidad para los creyentes en la actualidad, ya sean judíos o cristianos.

[Kinglm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile read

This was a book club selection, sponsored by one of our members. We are a faith based group. Our selections need to "inform our faith". I went into this section thinking I knew what to expect as I am pretty familiar with the author and the prophet. I was surprised on both counts, but pleasantly so. Once I abandoned the the preconceived notions, the reading went quickly. The story gave me a better appreciation of the exiles' experience. I would highly recommend this book.

[John O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dad's book brought me to tears several time during the reading of the manuscript. It's a powerful portrayal of innocence and sacrifice, two ingredients among others that prepared the beautiful soul of young Ezekiel for his prophetic mission. The novel brings alive the ancient world, both in Israel and the Babylonian captivity. It's an imaginative study in holiness and goodness. The story hums. I should note that it doesn't cover what is depicted in the Book of Ezekiel or any of the other OT books, but rather it's the drama of God's faithfulness and the mysterious interplay of human freedom and cooperation with grace.

[Heidi'sbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book by Michael D. O'Brien. It follows the story of the prophet Ezekiel in the Bible. He puts the life of Ezekiel in historical context, and it is a great historical fiction novel. We see his early life, how he made it to Babylon, and got married. The book stops very early on in his life and I'm hoping there is a second volume coming out soon!