Daughter of Jerusalem by Joan Wolf
3.5/5 stars
Worthy Publishing, 2013
320 pages
Adult Historical Inspirational
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After my negative experience with Between the Sinners and the Sea, I was very nervous about picking this up even though I had enjoyed the author's previous work A Reluctant Queen. Would it actually be inspirational? Happily, I can report that this book succeeds on that front. Although it has its weaknesses, I was moved to tears by one passage about Jesus (I honestly can't imagine a time in my life where thinking about the love demonstrated by Jesus doesn't move me to cry).
But I found this book's historical grounding to be sorely lacking. The language and writing style felt very contemporary to me. This is good in that it meant I read the book very quickly but bad because I didn't feel transported back in time. Even though the setting and customs were super different from our cultural norms, it still didn't feel historical to me.
I did love a lot of the plot decisions made by the author though. Our heroine is Mary of Magdala who falls in love with someone but is given in marriage to a much older and extremely wealthy man. Although Jewish, they partake in many Roman customs and Mary falls away from her religion, even taking a Roman lover (these are the decisions that lead to her being called a whore as she is sometimes considered). After she is widowed, she returns to her Jewish roots where she comes upon the Messiah. I loved when she hears Jesus and how we see that wealthy women are the ones who really helped support the ministry of Jesus. Mary is very sympathetic to Judas, whose betrayal is painted as done by one who craved a strong military leader to restore Jewish sovereignty, a popular interpretation I've seen.
However there was one decision made by the author that I really don't understand though. In this version, Mary Magdalene is also Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus. I've always understood those Marys to be separate women and to be pleased with the many different women Jesus interacts with in the Gospels.
Overall: Although I found this book interesting and enjoyable, I didn't think it dipped much beyond the surface (except for brief moments with Jesus who always manages to touch my heart) and will not leave an impression on me.
I love the feel to your reviews. You do a great job. Your blog is cute! I love historical fiction but you are right, if the author can't stay in the historical background and make it feel real the whole way through it comes up lacking. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of promise in the concept but it just didn't feel like HF.
DeleteI love historical fiction but sometimes, as you mention, the characters speak and act very contemporary. That, for me, is a killer.
ReplyDeleteA more historical feel would have improved this book; it was my big disappointment.
DeleteI understand why some authors try to make historical fiction more … accessible? (And I guess there are also those Contemporary English versions of the Bible, which I also find jarring.) I think there is a way to make history (or religious texts) come alive for readers while still being true to the historical context.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I have the same opinion as you-I've read some great historical retellings of the Bible that maintained a historical feeling and they were so much better.
DeleteI love historical fiction, but this sounds like it didn't really deliver. And I totally cry when I think about Jesus's love too. Fabulous review, girly. I wish that it had made a bigger impact on you. :(
ReplyDeleteLoves,
Megan@The Book Babe
I was pretty bummed-I wish I had felt more strongly about it :(
DeleteGreat review. I'm not big on historical fiction, but I am glad that you gave this one a try. Sorry it wasn't what you were hoping for.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I'm glad I gave it a try too-you never know until you read it for yourself.
DeleteI agree that a historical fiction book needs to make you feel like you are transported back in time. I understand that there is a need for a contemporary feel for inspirational books about Biblical stories, but not in this type of story line. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteYes, it just didn't work for this story/setting although I will still keep myself open to other books by this author.
DeleteI am surprised that the author combined Mary the sister of Lazarus with Mary of Magdala. It is too bad that the book lacked a historical feel too. I think that is an important element of historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteIt's really weird right? It's not that big of a moment in the book but it rubbed me the wrong way.
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