The Dovekeepers

 The Dovekeepers

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       November 26, 2014

 

Author  Alice Hoffman

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 978-0-85720-546-8
Publisher:         Simon & Schuster UK
Release Date:    

   Website:   http://www.simonandschuster.com.au

FaceBook:    

YouTube:   

Instagram:   

X Formally Twitter:    

Unforgettable, challenging, fascinating, enthralling and emotional, The Dovekeepers is one novel which should become a major contribution to modern historical fiction. Without a doubt Hoffman has cemented her already secure place in the author’s hall of fame with this incredible work.

Set in 70AD, in the Holy Lands Hoffman takes the historical tragedy of Masada, a fortress on top of a mountain in the Judean desert, using it as a backdrop for this fascinating tale of murder, tragedy, sacrifice and true love. Rather than submit to capture by the Roman Legions and suffer their brutality as slaves 900 Jews committed mass suicide. Five people survived to tell the tale, according to ancient historian Josephus, two women and three children.

Telling the story of this desperate time in history through the lives of four remarkable women who existed in a time and place where war was the norm, women where little more than chattels to be done with as would, where magic was heresy and men ruled without compunction, Hoffman takes you to a place all too real.

We meet these remarkable women in the final months of the siege of Masada. Yael, whose mother died in childbirth, Revka, the baker’s wife, Aziza a warrior daughter and Shirah, the Witch of Moab. We become one with their lives as they survive the unspeakable horrors of the final days of Masada, facing the might of the Roman invasion and realise there will be no turning back from the final, unthinkable end.

They each tell their story and how they became sisters in spirit while working in the dovecotes of Masada, how they all face their pre-ordained fate and their final and selfless devotion to each other.

Through their eyes and words we live with them their final days of life and the ultimate sacrifice made to ensure several lived to tell the tragedy of the final siege of Masada.

Absolutely unforgettable.

Fiction