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Delilah
Given to the temple of Atargatis as a child, Delilah is raised to be a priestess to the Five Cities that rule Canaan. She grows up under the watchful eyes of high priestess Derceto, who sees her as a valuable pawn in her political agenda. Meanwhile, in the hills of Canaan, the Israelites choose Samson to lead their fight against the Five Cities. When he catches a glimpse of Delilah, he risks his freedom to marry her, and Derceto seizes the chance to have Samson at her mercy. Caught between the two, Delilah is forced to question her own heart.
An inventive retelling of an ancient story, Delilah is a tale of political turmoil, betrayal, passionate friendship, and forbidden love.
An inventive retelling of an ancient story, Delilah is a tale of political turmoil, betrayal, passionate friendship, and forbidden love.
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2009
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1016 people want to read
About the author
India Edghill
25 books75 followersA reference librarian by profession, India Edghill's interest in history is long-standing; her father was a major history buff whose favorite authors were Will & Ariel Durant. India inherited his love of research and history. Her favorite areas are the Ancient Near East, Victorian England, and India at any period. India lives in upstate New York, USA, with a comfort of spaniels, a lounge of cats, and a plethora of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 25, 2010
This novel is not a re-telling of the story of Samson, but a complete overhaul of the familiar story - a re-imagining if you will. The bible doesn't tell us much about Samson's wife, or even Delilah (except that she was beautiful, Samson's love, of the Valley of Sorek and one heck of a nag), so a lot is left to the imagination.
Even though she is barely mentioned in the bible, Delilah is almost synonymous with the ultimate vixen but in this book she is re-imagined as a priestess who loves to dance.
Samson, the biblical superman, is re-imagined as a kind hearted man whose feats are only attributed to him by the Israelites, yet he wants no part in their war or their cause.
Along the way we are introduced to several others fascinating characters Alyah - Delilah's best friend and "heart sister and polar opposite in looks, as well as Orev - Samson's best friend, companion and Harper extraordinaire.
The author, just like the bible, plays a lot with names and their meanings - Delilah - the dark-as-night haired beauty, Samson - Son of the Sun, Orev - the crow (messenger of death) and Alyah - which in Hebrew means "rising" and it seemed fitting in the story the author tells.
(Note: that is how I chose to interpret the names.)
The book is broken up into parts which correspond, and bear the title, of Delilah's stages in becoming a Priestess (New Moon, Rising Moon, Full Moon etc.) since that is a big part of the story, as well as the social and political structure of the culture (I don't know if they were accurate, but nonetheless fascinating). There are many underlying themes in the book of cultural, class and personal clashes which I thought were very clever.
I have enjoyed this book very much - it is a fantastical re-imagining of a familiar story. Once you get through the first several pages the story becomes engrossing and the author weaves the story in a clear manner, even though there are many events which take place. This is a big story, love and love lost, betrayal and faith, friendship, greed, honor and cunning.
The book is written in the historical-fiction style of one chapter told from a perspective of one characters (Delilah, Samson, Alyah, etc.) even though some of the chapters about Samson are told through the eyes of Orev.
If you are not familiar with the biblical story of Samson, I recommend reading it before you read this book just to be familiar with the references the author makes, and then you'll be the Judge (pun intended).
For more reviews please visit: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com
Even though she is barely mentioned in the bible, Delilah is almost synonymous with the ultimate vixen but in this book she is re-imagined as a priestess who loves to dance.
Samson, the biblical superman, is re-imagined as a kind hearted man whose feats are only attributed to him by the Israelites, yet he wants no part in their war or their cause.
Along the way we are introduced to several others fascinating characters Alyah - Delilah's best friend and "heart sister and polar opposite in looks, as well as Orev - Samson's best friend, companion and Harper extraordinaire.
The author, just like the bible, plays a lot with names and their meanings - Delilah - the dark-as-night haired beauty, Samson - Son of the Sun, Orev - the crow (messenger of death) and Alyah - which in Hebrew means "rising" and it seemed fitting in the story the author tells.
(Note: that is how I chose to interpret the names.)
The book is broken up into parts which correspond, and bear the title, of Delilah's stages in becoming a Priestess (New Moon, Rising Moon, Full Moon etc.) since that is a big part of the story, as well as the social and political structure of the culture (I don't know if they were accurate, but nonetheless fascinating). There are many underlying themes in the book of cultural, class and personal clashes which I thought were very clever.
I have enjoyed this book very much - it is a fantastical re-imagining of a familiar story. Once you get through the first several pages the story becomes engrossing and the author weaves the story in a clear manner, even though there are many events which take place. This is a big story, love and love lost, betrayal and faith, friendship, greed, honor and cunning.
The book is written in the historical-fiction style of one chapter told from a perspective of one characters (Delilah, Samson, Alyah, etc.) even though some of the chapters about Samson are told through the eyes of Orev.
If you are not familiar with the biblical story of Samson, I recommend reading it before you read this book just to be familiar with the references the author makes, and then you'll be the Judge (pun intended).
For more reviews please visit: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com
July 8, 2019
This is my first read by India Edghill: her story of Samson and Delilah. I found this book rather slow to read. It is told from 3 main viewpoints with a narrator thrown in now and again. The viewpoints are Delilah, Samson, and Orev, a disabled, harpist storyteller who tags along with Samson. The multiplicity of the viewpoints seem to drag the pace of the storyline, and the characters themselves seemed rather simplistic. The focus on Delilah was basically on her progress through the levels to become a priestess at the Great House of Atagartis, one of the Gods of the Canaanites, as well as her relationship with her best friend there, Alylah. Whereas the Bible presents Samson as a Nazirite and a judge, Edghill presents him as a rather simplistic man who didn't have much direction for his life. I felt that this was more a reinvention of the story rather than an expansion of the story based on historical and Biblical information.
I would not recommend this particular Biblical fiction book.
I would not recommend this particular Biblical fiction book.
October 31, 2018
The characters were shallow and, despite their fame, not well drawn. The plot was flat, and it spent most of the story on Delilah’s relationship with her fellow priestess Aylah, rather than her famous love for Samson.
abandoned-books
March 29, 2019I’ve decided after 104 pages that I really am not enjoying this book. The writing is beautiful and for another reader, this might be a fascinating story, but it is barely holding my interest. I forced myself through a few books this month that I hoped would improve for me. I don’t feel like doing that again.
November 26, 2010
Delilah was given to the Temple of Atargatis when only a small girl. She was raised to be a priestess and had the ability to dance like only few others. It was said that Delilah not only was able to perform the ritual dances but was the dance itself. When she moved to the music she became lost in it, bringing great monetary offerings to the Temple. When she was ten, another girl was brought to the Temple. Her name was Aylah and Delilah came to love her like a sister.
When Samson happens upon the Temple of Atargatis years later, it’s Delilah he meets as she leads a procession through the streets of the city. He catches only a glimpse of her as she dances but it’s enough for him to tell his friend he wants her as his wife. Samson goes to the Temple to ask for Delilah and is told she will be given to him upon his completion of three tasks. The tasks are meant to be impossible but Samson completes them with ease. It’s only after Samson rides away with his new bride after the wedding feast that he learns the truth: he was given Aylah for a wife and not Delilah.
Delilah is heartbroken both for losing her heart-sister and for the man who has visited her dreams since their meeting. She has no idea Samson wanted to marry her but was tricked – she had been told it was Aylah he desired. Delilah is later summoned to kill Samson – the man who has instilled a sense of fear in the city. Tales of his god-like strength have caused the High Priestess of the Temple and the Prince of the City to plot his death. Delilah must choose: will she help in this plan to destroy Samson or will she conspire with him?
I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get into this book. I didn’t have an immediate connection with it but was soon pulled into the story. I loved the idea that Delilah actually loved Samson and wasn’t merely using him in order to deliver him to the Philistines. The idea that Samson wanted to be captured was intriguing. One thing I didn’t like is that while the chapters about Delilah are told from her point of view, the others are in third person. Having the constant change in who’s telling the story was a little frustrating but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
When Samson happens upon the Temple of Atargatis years later, it’s Delilah he meets as she leads a procession through the streets of the city. He catches only a glimpse of her as she dances but it’s enough for him to tell his friend he wants her as his wife. Samson goes to the Temple to ask for Delilah and is told she will be given to him upon his completion of three tasks. The tasks are meant to be impossible but Samson completes them with ease. It’s only after Samson rides away with his new bride after the wedding feast that he learns the truth: he was given Aylah for a wife and not Delilah.
Delilah is heartbroken both for losing her heart-sister and for the man who has visited her dreams since their meeting. She has no idea Samson wanted to marry her but was tricked – she had been told it was Aylah he desired. Delilah is later summoned to kill Samson – the man who has instilled a sense of fear in the city. Tales of his god-like strength have caused the High Priestess of the Temple and the Prince of the City to plot his death. Delilah must choose: will she help in this plan to destroy Samson or will she conspire with him?
I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get into this book. I didn’t have an immediate connection with it but was soon pulled into the story. I loved the idea that Delilah actually loved Samson and wasn’t merely using him in order to deliver him to the Philistines. The idea that Samson wanted to be captured was intriguing. One thing I didn’t like is that while the chapters about Delilah are told from her point of view, the others are in third person. Having the constant change in who’s telling the story was a little frustrating but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.
December 26, 2015
I started this and lost interest/couldn't read on - well, I am really not sure what was going on - a bad hair day, perhaps? Then I read Game of Queens: A Novel of Vashti and Esther and loved it. So, I read every other book India Edghill had written and loved them. So, I went back and, with a bit of grim determination, determined to read to the end and find out if my original response was fair.
Gentle reader, I done her wrong. I wouldn't say this book was up to the standard of Game of Queens: A Novel of Vashti and Esther (which is my favourite retelling of the story of Esther) but it's good. Well-written, thoughtful account of how it might have been between Samson and Delilah. Samson comes over as a gem (one of the things I like about Ms Edghill is that she writes excellent male characters; in retelling biblical stories that, after all, formed the basis for women to be deemed beneath men - it was God's idea, I have it on the highest authority - it is good to see the men written believably. Some of them are rotters and scoundrels - and some of them are decent chaps. As people are.), Delilah is absolved of being the bitch betrayer to end all such and the Foxes amply demonstrate the idiocy of blind prejudice and how people are determined to be right, no matter what the facts are. And no-one in this story is perfect!
So, I apologise to Ms Edghill for doubting her and turning away from this book. A worthy read if the subject matter is to your taste. I myself have a taste for the biblical and the historical. It may not be 'the truth' but it is largely what was used to base our own society on, for better or for worse. Understanding is freedom, in my (unwritten) book.
Gentle reader, I done her wrong. I wouldn't say this book was up to the standard of Game of Queens: A Novel of Vashti and Esther (which is my favourite retelling of the story of Esther) but it's good. Well-written, thoughtful account of how it might have been between Samson and Delilah. Samson comes over as a gem (one of the things I like about Ms Edghill is that she writes excellent male characters; in retelling biblical stories that, after all, formed the basis for women to be deemed beneath men - it was God's idea, I have it on the highest authority - it is good to see the men written believably. Some of them are rotters and scoundrels - and some of them are decent chaps. As people are.), Delilah is absolved of being the bitch betrayer to end all such and the Foxes amply demonstrate the idiocy of blind prejudice and how people are determined to be right, no matter what the facts are. And no-one in this story is perfect!
So, I apologise to Ms Edghill for doubting her and turning away from this book. A worthy read if the subject matter is to your taste. I myself have a taste for the biblical and the historical. It may not be 'the truth' but it is largely what was used to base our own society on, for better or for worse. Understanding is freedom, in my (unwritten) book.
August 20, 2008
I have been waiting for this book for several years!!! And thanks to someone visiting my blog and able to see how they got there (thru Feedjit) I was able to find out that this book will come out May 1 of 2009!!! I cannot wait. I love India Edghill's books!
If you like Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, you will love Edghill's books! Request them at your library and/or bookstore...(I did, so they would have them in stock, but I live in a semi-illiterate area and you have to knock some people upside the head for them to consider something new, or even read.)
I cannot recommend India Edghill enough...just remember when you request that there is only one "e" in her name, like I forgot, LOL.
If you like Anita Diamant's The Red Tent, you will love Edghill's books! Request them at your library and/or bookstore...(I did, so they would have them in stock, but I live in a semi-illiterate area and you have to knock some people upside the head for them to consider something new, or even read.)
I cannot recommend India Edghill enough...just remember when you request that there is only one "e" in her name, like I forgot, LOL.
July 19, 2010
Once again, Edghill sweeps me away in an epic story of love and loss. Based on the tiniest of sections in Judges, Delilah tells the story of the biblical characters of Delilah and Samson. As seen through the eyes of a woman, and a pagan, the story comes to life as it never could in the Bible. As well as telling the other side, so often left out by the victors, the reader comes to see how deception and hatred can shape not only the lives of two innocent people, but of entire nations.
This story, like Queenmaker and Wisdom's Daughter, stretches the reader to see more than what they have been told in a delightful, engaging, and enjoyable way. I hightly recommend taking the time to not only read this book, but imagine beyond the confines of the brief sentences left to us over time.
This story, like Queenmaker and Wisdom's Daughter, stretches the reader to see more than what they have been told in a delightful, engaging, and enjoyable way. I hightly recommend taking the time to not only read this book, but imagine beyond the confines of the brief sentences left to us over time.
April 17, 2011
I was really looking forward to this story. I'm sure you're familiar the biblical story. It has so much of what makes a fanatastic story. Well....the author was creative in her twist of the story, I'll give her that...but that's what saved her. I thought the characters were so-so, the ability to set a scene and educate a reader as to a culture was woofully inadequete. Where they any differenet than today? What's all this about the goddess and how was that different than Samsom's people? Part of the reason I read historical fiction is to learn about an era. I don't think one "learns" much here...and unfortunately, isn't "impressed" much either.
May 2, 2010
Although it is no "As a Driven Leaf" in regards to assimilating into the Greco-Roman cultures, "Delilah" was a very good interpretation of the Biblical story of Samson from the different tribe's point of view. Instead of portraying Delilah as the ultimate Biblical female villain, Edghill depicts her as a devout priestess who falls in love with Samson and gives up her prior beliefs for him. Even though I expected her betrayal to the Temple much earlier in the novel, this book was overall wonderful!
January 8, 2010
Wow! As usual Edghill takes a Biblical story, turns it, and turns it again. She finds amazing intriguing reads, I never would have dreamed of, but they make greater sense than what tradition holds! I love how this author's mind works! I didn't give this 5 stars, because I could put this book down, it didn't hold me quite as much as her other two Michal books. But, I can't wait to see what she does next!!! anyone who likes Israelite history will LOVE her writing and imagination.
January 14, 2010
Nothing short of spellbinding, this retelling of the classic tale of Samson and Delilah at once upends the traditional story while immensely enriching and deepening it. Edghill beautifully captures the clash of ancient kingdoms through what is at heart a timeless story of friendship and love. Delilah speaks to us across the chasm of time in a vividly compelling voice that makes her narrative at once utterly believable and deeply moving.
March 23, 2010
A different perspective to the classic Samsom and Delilah tale.
January 2, 2020
Amazing! This is biblical romantic fiction at its best! India Edghill delivers a romantic tale between the biblical characters Samson and Delilah that itself transmutes the story. Rather than view Delilah as a tool of the Philistine aristocracy, Edghill re-invents the story in such a way that I was left spell-bound and even stunned! And to do this with a biblical tale is no small feat.
In this book, Delilah is deepened as a character who is, as the bible would suggest, stubborn, but who is also resolute in her faith. Edghill goes to great lengths to humanize Delilah, in some ways positioning her as a devout priestess, one who is willing to serve the Philistine deities with all her heart and her body. So religious is Delilah in fact, that she desires nothing more than to dance in the Ascalon Temple and is willing to pleasure any men the Lady God ask of her. She is not a person of natural flowing feminine beauty, and in the story she depicted as one whose best curves were achieved by dancing relentlessly and enthusiastically. It is hard to miss that the stubborn, nagging Delilah of the Bible would have made a wildly seductive dancer, and likely been favored by many who frequented the "pleasure rooms" of the Temple.
Delilah a prostitute? And professional dancer-priestess? Edghill is skillful at surgically operating with the Biblical knowledge we have of Delilah, and running with it creatively. For while Samson may have been viewed as an enemy of her people, and their romance was hated by the Hebrews in-turn, the image of Delilah is perpetually altered by Edghill's storytelling. Reading on, Delilah is in many ways seen not as an instigator or an active beguiler, but as a bystander; her co-dancer Aylan chooses to marry Samson (fooling him and Delilah) when he wanted her instead, Delilah's High Priestess attempts to have Samson killed repeatedly, and even when Delilah is permitted to meet with Samson and marry him, it is under the thumb of much more powerful forces.
Being a biblical story, the ending was defined at the start, but Edghill's creative re-writing of the characters and the deep-level conspiracies make every moment lively and thrilling. For a story that has literally become good vs. evil, this re-invention of Delilah is amazingly well-done. She comes across not as a simple beguiler but as a woman who is deeply in love but is torn by circumstances not her own. The story has heavy character and setting development at beginning, but simmers and comes to a very tantalizing climax - with a plot so revisionist I'm shocked someone could pull it off.
5 stars. Very good writing, even better than Game of Queens.
In this book, Delilah is deepened as a character who is, as the bible would suggest, stubborn, but who is also resolute in her faith. Edghill goes to great lengths to humanize Delilah, in some ways positioning her as a devout priestess, one who is willing to serve the Philistine deities with all her heart and her body. So religious is Delilah in fact, that she desires nothing more than to dance in the Ascalon Temple and is willing to pleasure any men the Lady God ask of her. She is not a person of natural flowing feminine beauty, and in the story she depicted as one whose best curves were achieved by dancing relentlessly and enthusiastically. It is hard to miss that the stubborn, nagging Delilah of the Bible would have made a wildly seductive dancer, and likely been favored by many who frequented the "pleasure rooms" of the Temple.
Delilah a prostitute? And professional dancer-priestess? Edghill is skillful at surgically operating with the Biblical knowledge we have of Delilah, and running with it creatively. For while Samson may have been viewed as an enemy of her people, and their romance was hated by the Hebrews in-turn, the image of Delilah is perpetually altered by Edghill's storytelling. Reading on, Delilah is in many ways seen not as an instigator or an active beguiler, but as a bystander; her co-dancer Aylan chooses to marry Samson (fooling him and Delilah) when he wanted her instead, Delilah's High Priestess attempts to have Samson killed repeatedly, and even when Delilah is permitted to meet with Samson and marry him, it is under the thumb of much more powerful forces.
Being a biblical story, the ending was defined at the start, but Edghill's creative re-writing of the characters and the deep-level conspiracies make every moment lively and thrilling. For a story that has literally become good vs. evil, this re-invention of Delilah is amazingly well-done. She comes across not as a simple beguiler but as a woman who is deeply in love but is torn by circumstances not her own. The story has heavy character and setting development at beginning, but simmers and comes to a very tantalizing climax - with a plot so revisionist I'm shocked someone could pull it off.
5 stars. Very good writing, even better than Game of Queens.
January 11, 2020
This book was a pleasant read, but nothing stellar. The characters were shallow and, despite their fame, not well drawn. The plot was shallow, and most of the story was spent on Delilah's relationship with her fellow priestess Aylah, rather than her famous love for Samson. I cannot recommend this title to historical fiction fans.
April 13, 2021
A good example of a Biblical story set in a realistic ancient Middle East setting. Delilah is portrayed as a priestess/sacred prostitute who must navigate the politics of the temple and deal with a love-at-first-sight with Samson. Some motivations were more believable than others, but overall this was well done.
October 14, 2025
Well told story! The story in the Bible of Samson and Delilah leaves a lot of room to fill in the gaps of information. India Edghill did a good job weaving the story together into a tale that was a pleasure to read.
August 28, 2018
Loved the way the author looks at the classic Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah.
March 19, 2019
Not great literature, but an interesting premise.
June 14, 2020
Again disappointed how far this story strayed from the biblical account
August 10, 2021
Interesting take on a Biblical story
November 30, 2022
Historical fiction but heavy on the fiction. A sweeter version of the tale of Samson and Delilah. Very wordy, beautiful scenes, but it could but cut by a third still.
March 24, 2025
Could not put this town! Exceptional writing and character development. I read the Queenmaker too and thought it was superb as well!
March 23, 2011
As a young girl, Delilah was given over to the temple of Atargatis to be trained in the ways of a priestess. Shortly after arriving she meets Aylah, another "new moon" and discovers her true calling: dancing. Together she and her "heart-sister" Aylah are trained to be the best dancers in the temple-Delilah as the moon with her dark complexion and raven black hair and Aylah as the sun with her creamy skin and blonde hair. Soon they are the most in demand dancers in all of the Five Cities. The leaders of the city Derceto, High Priestess of Atargatis and Prince Sandarin live in fear of one man. He is Samson a Hebrew who is rumoured to have the God-like strength who along with his foxes wreaks havoc among the Philistines.
They would do anything to secure his downfall. When Samson travels to the temple with his companion Orev, he sees Delilah dance and falls in love with her but a cruel trick keeps them apart. When tragedy strikes Derceto and Sandarin conspire to use Delilah to bring about Samson's downfall but Delilah has her own idea about things.
Edghill's Delilah re-imagines the entire story of Samson and Delilah. In the Bible Delilah is featured only briefly and is cast as a temptress and betrayer. Here she is a young girl with a passion for dance, a kind heart, and an undying love for Samson. Samson is not the man portrayed in the Bible either. Cast as something of a demi-god there, here he is strong but is a rather ordinary man who lets his heart lead him into dangerous situations against the sound counsel of Orev. The stories of his great feats passed among the cities are just that-stories- which are used by the rebel group calling them Samson's foxes to achieve their means.
The story alternates between chapters focusing on Delilah, Samson, Aylah, Derceto, Sandarin, and a few of the other minor characters and is broken into three sections corresponding with Delilah's advancement through the Priestess ranks as new moon, half moon and finally full moon. I thought breaking the book down this way worked really well. I also thought the relationship ship between Delilah and Aylah and their devotion to each other was touching.
One area I thought could have done with a little more attention was why the five cities had such a fear of Samson. Their reasons for being so afraid of him seemed to be based purely on rumor and hearsay. For someone who has not read much of the Bible, I thought the whole conflict could have been explained a little better. Also if I find a flaw with a book it is usually in the romance department. I have a hard time buying love at first sight scenarios and that is what occurred between Samson and Delilah. They never even spoke to each other before Samson decided he loved her and had to marry her. That doesn't happen in reality. Still, the story was told well enough where this didn't really bother me as much as it usually does.
I like to read books that tell the stories of women in the Bible who are often shown in an unfavorable light and relegated to just a few sentences. Out of all the biblical related historical fiction I've read, I have to say this is one of my favorites. I enjoyed getting to know this version of Delilah-vixen and deceiver she was not!
They would do anything to secure his downfall. When Samson travels to the temple with his companion Orev, he sees Delilah dance and falls in love with her but a cruel trick keeps them apart. When tragedy strikes Derceto and Sandarin conspire to use Delilah to bring about Samson's downfall but Delilah has her own idea about things.
Edghill's Delilah re-imagines the entire story of Samson and Delilah. In the Bible Delilah is featured only briefly and is cast as a temptress and betrayer. Here she is a young girl with a passion for dance, a kind heart, and an undying love for Samson. Samson is not the man portrayed in the Bible either. Cast as something of a demi-god there, here he is strong but is a rather ordinary man who lets his heart lead him into dangerous situations against the sound counsel of Orev. The stories of his great feats passed among the cities are just that-stories- which are used by the rebel group calling them Samson's foxes to achieve their means.
The story alternates between chapters focusing on Delilah, Samson, Aylah, Derceto, Sandarin, and a few of the other minor characters and is broken into three sections corresponding with Delilah's advancement through the Priestess ranks as new moon, half moon and finally full moon. I thought breaking the book down this way worked really well. I also thought the relationship ship between Delilah and Aylah and their devotion to each other was touching.
One area I thought could have done with a little more attention was why the five cities had such a fear of Samson. Their reasons for being so afraid of him seemed to be based purely on rumor and hearsay. For someone who has not read much of the Bible, I thought the whole conflict could have been explained a little better. Also if I find a flaw with a book it is usually in the romance department. I have a hard time buying love at first sight scenarios and that is what occurred between Samson and Delilah. They never even spoke to each other before Samson decided he loved her and had to marry her. That doesn't happen in reality. Still, the story was told well enough where this didn't really bother me as much as it usually does.
I like to read books that tell the stories of women in the Bible who are often shown in an unfavorable light and relegated to just a few sentences. Out of all the biblical related historical fiction I've read, I have to say this is one of my favorites. I enjoyed getting to know this version of Delilah-vixen and deceiver she was not!
November 27, 2009
¶ My review for the AP:
¶ "Delilah" (St. Martin's Press, 384 pages, $25.99), by India Edghill: There's no surprise ending in India Edghill's new novel about Samson and Delilah. Blinded by the Philistines, Samson pulls down the temple in Gaza, killing himself and the idolaters trapped with him.
¶ The latest in a growing group of books re-imagining Old Testament stories from a feminine perspective, "Delilah" plumbs the bare-bones story sketched out in the Bible. Edghill fleshes it out by asking why: Why would Samson tell Delilah his secret? Why was she so willing to betray him?
¶ Edghill imagines Delilah as a Philistine priestess raised from childhood in a tranquil temple. A beautiful and talented dancer, she performs at religious ceremonies, earning acclaim and wealth for the temple. Samson is smitten when he sees Delilah dance and immediately asks for her hand in marriage.
¶ Not willing to lose her top dancer, the temple's high priestess, Derceto, challenges him to three seemingly impossible tasks. When Samson succeeds, Derceto swindles him by giving him Delilah's best friend, Aylah, instead of Delilah. She also orders Aylah to kill Samson.
¶ But Aylah grows to love Samson and refuses to betray him. When she is killed by his enemies, Derceto sends Delilah to finish the job.
¶ Heartbroken by her friend's death _ and embittered by Derceto's murderous scheming _ Delilah seduces Samson into revenge.
¶ Edghill's novel is enriched by historical knowledge of the period covered in the Book of Judges and her willingness to question the Hebrew perspective. Delilah, as Edghill points out in an afterward, would have been a Philistine hero. But her conquest also would have looked different once Samson brought the temple crashing down, killing the leaders of the five cities that ruled Canaan.
¶ This is a novel that works on two levels. First and foremost, it's a good read with a compelling plot and rich detail. But it's also a means for those of faith to take a second look at a popular tale they may have not questioned or considered deeply. It deserves a place on bookshelves with Edghill's first novel, "Queenmaker," and Anita Diamant's trendsetting "The Red Tent."
¶ "Delilah" (St. Martin's Press, 384 pages, $25.99), by India Edghill: There's no surprise ending in India Edghill's new novel about Samson and Delilah. Blinded by the Philistines, Samson pulls down the temple in Gaza, killing himself and the idolaters trapped with him.
¶ The latest in a growing group of books re-imagining Old Testament stories from a feminine perspective, "Delilah" plumbs the bare-bones story sketched out in the Bible. Edghill fleshes it out by asking why: Why would Samson tell Delilah his secret? Why was she so willing to betray him?
¶ Edghill imagines Delilah as a Philistine priestess raised from childhood in a tranquil temple. A beautiful and talented dancer, she performs at religious ceremonies, earning acclaim and wealth for the temple. Samson is smitten when he sees Delilah dance and immediately asks for her hand in marriage.
¶ Not willing to lose her top dancer, the temple's high priestess, Derceto, challenges him to three seemingly impossible tasks. When Samson succeeds, Derceto swindles him by giving him Delilah's best friend, Aylah, instead of Delilah. She also orders Aylah to kill Samson.
¶ But Aylah grows to love Samson and refuses to betray him. When she is killed by his enemies, Derceto sends Delilah to finish the job.
¶ Heartbroken by her friend's death _ and embittered by Derceto's murderous scheming _ Delilah seduces Samson into revenge.
¶ Edghill's novel is enriched by historical knowledge of the period covered in the Book of Judges and her willingness to question the Hebrew perspective. Delilah, as Edghill points out in an afterward, would have been a Philistine hero. But her conquest also would have looked different once Samson brought the temple crashing down, killing the leaders of the five cities that ruled Canaan.
¶ This is a novel that works on two levels. First and foremost, it's a good read with a compelling plot and rich detail. But it's also a means for those of faith to take a second look at a popular tale they may have not questioned or considered deeply. It deserves a place on bookshelves with Edghill's first novel, "Queenmaker," and Anita Diamant's trendsetting "The Red Tent."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2010
I won this book on a giveaway. The story was well written and very interesting. It is based on Samson and Delilah but the emphasis is on FICTION not historical. As a story of fiction, I enjoyed it. (the epilogue referred to is at the Philistine's point of view. I think its pretty obvious the author thinks the bible is a historical narrative and not true.
As a Christian who does believe the bible is true, I had problems with several aspects of this "re-telling" and supposed link to biblical version.
Samson is the son of a god, not his earthly father. Yahweh's promises to his parents are made up to hide this fact. In the beginning of the book, I thought they handled this respectfully - it was gossip. In the end though, Samson reveals it is the truth.
Samson seems to see his and Delilah's gods as the same in power/importance. both interpret their own desires as their god's wishes for them.
The prophet Samuel rebukes Samuel for his reputation, not his heart. God would have known Samson's heart, not just what others are saying about him and in this case, the rebuke would not have been needed. Not to mention Samuel was after Samson was judge. Not even sure he was alive at time of Samson's youth when he would have rebuked him.
No reference is ever made to Samson's being a judge.
Samson and Delilah conspired together to make up the hair story and a harper added the Nazirite vows his parents made later into his song for the telling.
*I did very much appreciate though that for a story of a temple priestess and a book filled with lust and betrayal it was not a bodice ripper and details were alluded to not spelled out in graphic detail which has been the trend in most newer books I have been reading lately.
As a Christian who does believe the bible is true, I had problems with several aspects of this "re-telling" and supposed link to biblical version.
Samson is the son of a god, not his earthly father. Yahweh's promises to his parents are made up to hide this fact. In the beginning of the book, I thought they handled this respectfully - it was gossip. In the end though, Samson reveals it is the truth.
Samson seems to see his and Delilah's gods as the same in power/importance. both interpret their own desires as their god's wishes for them.
The prophet Samuel rebukes Samuel for his reputation, not his heart. God would have known Samson's heart, not just what others are saying about him and in this case, the rebuke would not have been needed. Not to mention Samuel was after Samson was judge. Not even sure he was alive at time of Samson's youth when he would have rebuked him.
No reference is ever made to Samson's being a judge.
Samson and Delilah conspired together to make up the hair story and a harper added the Nazirite vows his parents made later into his song for the telling.
*I did very much appreciate though that for a story of a temple priestess and a book filled with lust and betrayal it was not a bodice ripper and details were alluded to not spelled out in graphic detail which has been the trend in most newer books I have been reading lately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2011
I won this advanced readers copy in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program back in November. With life intervening, I have only recently been able to indulge my reading tooth. So my first completed book of 2011 is Delilah by India Edghill... and I think I will be hard pressed to find another book so compellingly good.
We've all heard and/or read about the tale of Samson and Delilah. Samson, beloved of God, warrior of supernatural strength. Delilah, beautiful deceiver, treachery incarnate, evil vixen. You think you know the story. Wrong wrong wrong.
India Edghill takes a simple Bible story, disassembles it and reconstructs a stunning tale of innocence, destiny, love, betrayal and vengeance. The characters, formerly stereotypical cardboard cut-outs, take on life as good people, trusting and innocent, with genuine emotions and dreams. This is still a tale of deception and treachery, but this time both Samson and Delilah are victims. The writing is simple, yet achingly descriptive and filled with passion. As the story unfolds, you know where it's heading. You know what must happen. Yet, the path by which the final event must follow is beautiful and horrible and ecstatic and grief stricken. The ending is bittersweet and the taste lingers long after the last bite has been savored.
This is definitely one for my permanent library shelves. It is excellent. Read it.
We've all heard and/or read about the tale of Samson and Delilah. Samson, beloved of God, warrior of supernatural strength. Delilah, beautiful deceiver, treachery incarnate, evil vixen. You think you know the story. Wrong wrong wrong.
India Edghill takes a simple Bible story, disassembles it and reconstructs a stunning tale of innocence, destiny, love, betrayal and vengeance. The characters, formerly stereotypical cardboard cut-outs, take on life as good people, trusting and innocent, with genuine emotions and dreams. This is still a tale of deception and treachery, but this time both Samson and Delilah are victims. The writing is simple, yet achingly descriptive and filled with passion. As the story unfolds, you know where it's heading. You know what must happen. Yet, the path by which the final event must follow is beautiful and horrible and ecstatic and grief stricken. The ending is bittersweet and the taste lingers long after the last bite has been savored.
This is definitely one for my permanent library shelves. It is excellent. Read it.
September 28, 2022
"What are men and women to those whose breath is the wind and whose eyes are stars, whose blood is Time itself?"
This book is another excellent example of why I always force myself to finish books. Because I HATED this book when I started it. Like, HATED. I started four other books, and finished them, because I just could not get invested in this at all. I don't know what it was. Maybe that it wasn't what I thought it was going to be? But even then I wasn't sure what I was expecting.
But then, I buckled down and I made myself read it and I really did wind up loving it.
This reads like a retold version of a fairytale where the tale is told in a way that makes it plausible and realistic. Like Gregory Maguire's Mirror, Mirror, kind of. I was originally hoping for more of a Dovekeepers or Red Tent vibe. What it is is very similar, but different in the manner of delivery. More spiritual (coming from a pagan, like Delilah) than religious (coming from the protagonists of Dovekeepers or Red Tent).
What is really cool to me, is that we get these excerpts at the beginning of chapters that are of the 'known' version of the story. And then the chapter itself is a kind of 'what-if.' How could this story really happen in a way that people would mis-remember it how we know it now. Like that Hercules movie with The Rock.
It's really amazing, and paints Delilah in an entirely knew, un-villainous light.
This book is another excellent example of why I always force myself to finish books. Because I HATED this book when I started it. Like, HATED. I started four other books, and finished them, because I just could not get invested in this at all. I don't know what it was. Maybe that it wasn't what I thought it was going to be? But even then I wasn't sure what I was expecting.
But then, I buckled down and I made myself read it and I really did wind up loving it.
This reads like a retold version of a fairytale where the tale is told in a way that makes it plausible and realistic. Like Gregory Maguire's Mirror, Mirror, kind of. I was originally hoping for more of a Dovekeepers or Red Tent vibe. What it is is very similar, but different in the manner of delivery. More spiritual (coming from a pagan, like Delilah) than religious (coming from the protagonists of Dovekeepers or Red Tent).
What is really cool to me, is that we get these excerpts at the beginning of chapters that are of the 'known' version of the story. And then the chapter itself is a kind of 'what-if.' How could this story really happen in a way that people would mis-remember it how we know it now. Like that Hercules movie with The Rock.
It's really amazing, and paints Delilah in an entirely knew, un-villainous light.
September 2, 2016
The racist undertones of this book can be ignored if you're not a serious reader. However at on point the reader must ask themselves why is it that Delilah considers herself lesser than "sun goddess" looking Aylah. There is also a section, in the middle of the book, where Delilah says she is nothing compared to the ivory skinned, blonde-haired, Aylah. (Delilah, meaning, "Night Hair", is olive skinned with jet black hair.) The racist undertone of this book was not needed.
The characters of this book are poorly developed, the story moves too quickly. We hear about Samson's parents in the beginning, and then know nothing more of them or the rumors that came from Samson's birth. We learn about Orev, mainly, and the other characters are only half developed. The book is good in the way it expresses the authors views of things, however the racist part - the entire book where the whites are held above those of color - was not needed. Frankly it turns me off from wanting to read anything else from this author. I hope those who read the book are as angered as I am about the racism and that they do not support this author who clearly needs to get out more.
Those with black hair and brown skin are just as good as others.
The characters of this book are poorly developed, the story moves too quickly. We hear about Samson's parents in the beginning, and then know nothing more of them or the rumors that came from Samson's birth. We learn about Orev, mainly, and the other characters are only half developed. The book is good in the way it expresses the authors views of things, however the racist part - the entire book where the whites are held above those of color - was not needed. Frankly it turns me off from wanting to read anything else from this author. I hope those who read the book are as angered as I am about the racism and that they do not support this author who clearly needs to get out more.
Those with black hair and brown skin are just as good as others.
December 4, 2011
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Retelling the biblical story of Samson and Delilah I had high hopes that were not met with this story.
Delilah was just annoying to me and didn't have much depth. I would have liked to know more about the temple's training of the girls besides just pages and pages of dancing.
Samson was too naive and trusting at first but at one point did the honorable thing when he was tricked the first time.
The most interesting character to me was Delilah's best friend her "heart sister" Aylah, she had the most sense out of everyone from the beginning even when she was a young girl unfortunately she didn't last long.
The prose was too airy fairy, for me this just wasn't an interesting take on Samson and Delilah
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