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Summary: Great Biblical Story!
Review: I just finished this book last night and i loved it! I loved how in-depth it was and how everything was explained and described. It really brought the Bible and the story of Esther to life. I defintely recommend this book if you like books based on Bible storys.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: I really enjoyed "Hadassah", already knowing the Biblical story of Esther, it was nice to see a fictonal background story. Although we don't really know what it was really like, "Hadassah" is a lovley story with vivid characters and plenty of emotion. You can almost feel the characters hurt and desperation as well as their joy and passion. I would definatley recommend it!
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Summary: Good Story
Review: I thought the writing itself was poor. However, I kept reading because the story itself was good. Next novel: New "ghost writer."
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Summary: Fascinating Read
Review: I was thoroughly pleased with this book. It brought Esther to life with its vivid detailing of palace life & customs. I found myself swept away, almost feeling as though I were there. The story obviously includes what the Bible tells us about Queen Esther, but the author fills us in on how things would have been at court, such as how queen candidates would have prepared and the role eunuchs played in the royal arena. He also paints a vivid picture of life as a Jew in this era. I highly recommend this wonderful, intriguing story.
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Summary: religious drama turn sexual fantasy
Review: I'll admit at the outset that the book's paperback cover was a big turnoff for me. The image of a woman, her eyes closed and head titled back with a Star of David in hand, lost somewhere between sexual and religious ecstasy, a man in royal attire in the background, is at odds with, what to my mind, is the serious drama at the heart of the biblical story of Queen Esther. But thinking back to the many books I've enjoyed reading despite preposterous book covers, I bought "Hadassah" telling myself
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Summary: A Real Life Fairy Tale
Review: In this era of fantasy and make believe it is sometimes easy to forget how engrossing and fantastic history can be. Tommy Tenney writes a compelling tale of finding God's will in the most dire of circumstances. In this story Esther discovers that God can work even when it seems that things are happening that go against everything she's been taught. Her struggles with doing the right thing, and finding God's presence during the most difficult times of her life are issues to which everyone can relate. I really enjoyed the historical context that is woven into the story. I look forward to reading any new fiction Mr. Tenney writes.
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Summary: Holy Smokes Ill never look at the bible the same !
Review: Omgosh I am 19 and dont know how to write a big fancy in depth review about this book, but I can say this put the story of esther to life in my head. I could picture how she felt and the emotions she went through. It brought life to the bible and I was amazed by how such a short book had so much to it. Tommy Tenney is an AMAZING writer. This book would be great for teenagers to seniors. As a woman this book made me value purity, and showed me that women were important in the bible. This goes in the top 5 books I have ever read in my life. You will not regret buying this. little note* YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT THIS DOWN ONCE YOU START READING!! so dont start reading it late at nite. Will knock your socks off. A MUST read!
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Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: Once I started reading, I was unable to put it down and read into the wee hours of the morning.I understand a movie is planned and set for release during Purim 2005.
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Summary: Tenney has given readers a source of wonder and conversation
Review: The Biblical tale of Esther, based on its Hebrew version (known as Megillah Esther, or The Volume of Esther), goes something like this: King Ahasuerus (now known as Xerxes) of Persia called for his wife, Queen Vashti, to appear at a banquet. When she refused (some theologians believe he meant to parade her naked before his guests), he banished her from the throne and decided to choose a new queen. While conducting a sort of beauty pageant of candidates, Ahasuerus was captivated by Esther, young woman whose Jewish identity was carefully concealed. He crowned his chosen new queen with diamonds. But while Esther had hidden her identity, she had not forgotten it. When the uncle who raised her, Mordecai, learned of a plot to kill the king, she was able to save her husband's life and to bring her uncle to his attention. Later still, when the king's villainous minister Haman ordered destruction of all the Jews in the kingdom on the 13th day of the month of Adar by lots, or "purim," Mordecai urged his niece to plead with the king to save her people. Going before the king without a summons could mean death, so Esther's courage in doing so was great. She persuaded the king, using all her feminine wiles, to grant her any wish, and he did --- the Jews of Persia were saved and destroyed their enemies. The 14th and 15th days of Adar were then set aside as a feast, to be known forever after as "Purim." Because of Esther's acceptance of her fate (hiding her faith and going willingly to the King's bed without benefit of marriage), her story has been denounced over the centuries by different Jewish and Christian commentators and clergy. Add to these criticisms the fact that the ten-chapter Book of Esther does not once mention God's name, and you have a tale that is not easy to tell as a Christian novel of redemption! Tenney gets around some of the story's difficulties (perhaps why he enlisted fiction writer Mark Andrew Olsen as a "contributor?") by 1) limiting the "action" during Esther's first night with Xerxes to hours of deep conversation and 2) using the Orthodox Jewish trope of referring to God as "G-d" or "YHWH" so that readers will begin to believe that the absence of His name in The Book of Esther was pious and not premeditated. Still, it's shocking at first to read Esther's calm, calculating reasons for allowing herself to be prepped for King Xerxes, and even more shocking to read of her growing desire for what would have been a lawless coupling: "I found that soon I began to desire the King in a wide variety of ways: to crave his presence, his words, his trust --- as well as that moment of our physical union." However, Tenney tries very hard to connect Esther's desire for the King with her growing desire for The King, or "G-d." He also, by framing her story with that of one of her descendants, a young contemporary Jewish bride-to-be, tries to connect Esther's elaborate knowledge and use of female adornments and beauty and sensitivity with the Judeo-Christian ideal of marriage. Tenney's success in making these connections has its problems, in literary terms: the framing device is simply not strong enough or long enough for his purposes. His success in making these connections may have other problems, as well. But he does succeed in bringing Esther and her world vividly to life (at times HADASSAH: One Night with the King is reminiscent of Anita Diamant's THE RED TENT), and this can be connected to an important lesson that many theologians have made about The Book of Esther. For Esther and other characters in the novel (including Mordecai and a young Jewish boy made into a eunuch), God's presence can seem farthest away when it is really closest. Jews celebrate the fact that Esther followed her path and used what she had to save her people. We may never know whether or not Esther followed that path because she believed God was guiding her, or not. Nevertheless, her story can instruct modern believers in having courage and struggling on despite the course of events. By re-imagining this rich, historic tale, Tenney has given readers a gift similar to that Esther gave Xerxes: a source of wonder and conversation. --- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
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Summary: A Woman of Influence in Ancient Persia
Review: The memorable story of Esther in the Bible is now retold through the eyes of Esther. As Hadassah Kesselman prepares for her wedding day, she finds the experience steeped in mystery. Her story is set aside as Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen delve into what is perhaps one of the most ancient fantasies. As women dream of marrying powerful men, men dream of the beautiful woman who worships them in body, mind and spirit. This fantasy is brilliantly woven into the story of Esther and makes for a compelling read.
Hadassah Kesselman is required to read the story of Esther before her wedding day and soon learns of Esther's horrifying childhood experiences and mysterious awakenings into womanhood. Tommy Tenney's comforting writing style seems to mask the horror in a way that allows the reader to comprehend each situation without becoming overwhelmed by tragedy itself. He has a talent for capturing moments in time with exquisite attention to detail. The scent of myrrh lingers on the pages as an exciting drama unfolds in moments of sexual tension, suspense and intrigue.
Esther's story is truly brought to life in this retelling filled with political conspiracies, wars, longings of the heart and brutal action. In her search for G-d, she also finds her place in the world and begins to understand her true destiny. Must she sacrifice herself to the King of Persia and fall prey to Haman's evil intentions?
Even if you remember the biblical details, an entire new world of captivating adventure and romance awaits in Hadassah's journey to One Night With the King. I intended to read this book in two nights, but ended up reading all night. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on March 25, 2005.
~TheRebeccaReview.com
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