From Publishers Weekly
Revisiting the biblical tales surrounding some of the best-known women in Jewish lore, Rosenblatt dispels the pervasive notion many have that biblical matriarchs were weak and ineffective, demonstrating instead that these ancient dames took risks that often catapulted the struggling Jewish nation to survival and prominence. She infuses each chapter with her experience as a relationship therapist and brings timeless stories to life with a combination of personal and professional insight. Instead of viewing Eve as a temptress and sinner, Rosenblatt encourages readers to understand Eve's actions as a conscious rejection of "the stultifying monotony of her perfect paradisiacal life" and desire to transcend the limitations of the garden. Tamar's heroic act to right her situation as a beleaguered two-time widow results in the union from which King David would be born; Queen Esther's formidable courage in time of despair earns her people salvation and an opportunity for retribution; and Abigail, King David's second wife, saves her household from destruction with calm and confidence. Although parts of the book tend to overanalyze personalities and actions, and at times the author's expositions seem verbose, the overall flow is smooth and the stories engaging. Rosenblatt successfully places herself in the hearts and minds of ancient heroines and teaches her readers not just to study but to imagine.
(Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Booklist
Psychotherapist Rosenblatt, author of
Wrestling with Angels (1995), retells the stories of 15 women from the Bible and offers the text of and commentary on the Song of Songs. All stories in the book examine the role that gender played in the lives of these women as well as how they affected the actions and motivations of husbands and sons. The complex style and structure of the book require a patient reader. Although Rosenblatt's digressions and asides demand attentive reading, they do provide insight into the original Hebrew origins of the Bible and the importance of ancient customs that remain in current practice today. Her knowledge of Hebrew and of biblical scholarship adds depth and clarity to obscurities that arise from the difficulties inherent in the process of translation. In addition to her early study of Judaism, Rosenblatt has a psychological background that flavors many of the commentaries and observations. This book will appeal to readers of popular religious writing and to readers of Rosenblatt's first book.
Ellen LoughranCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
