Ellen Gunderson Traylor (1946–2021)

This is the second book I've read by this author. I liked the first one from the late '80s, about Joseph the dreamer.

As for this novel from the '90s, it's at least the tenth adaptation of Hadassah/Esther's story I've either read or watched over the years. So it was interesting to see this author present a take on the story I hadn't seen before.

This different take includes the nature of Xerxes and Esther's marriage: altogether loveless right from the start, based on a delusion Xerxes has. In show more fact, given the book's pretty cursory sketch of their poor relationship, which doesn't start until Esther becomes queen around the last third of the novel, we don't hear her even speak at all to Xerxes until only a quarter of the novel is left.

Moreover, while the book's descriptions of the overall plot and context are certainly important, Hadassah/Esther herself doesn't really seem like the lead character, maybe not until that last quarter. During the first three, her fairly limited time in the forefront is like that of a supporting character, while the story is more occupied with Mordecai, Xerxes, Vashti, and imperial war and intrigue, including where the notorious Haman comes into play.

Now, aside from some issues I have with the narrative style and a few technical aspects of this adaptation that don't quite make sense to me, Esther's celebration of death at the end of the book rubbed me the wrong way. See, the backstory regarding Haman, a descendant of Agag the Amalekite—a backstory involving a mass killing of Haman's people: men, women, and children—I'm sorry to say it's only in recent years that it finally struck me as genocide. I don't take that biblical account of killing for granted anymore.

As I recall from other fictional adaptations of this story, the endings tend to focus on the saving of Esther and her people. But at the ending of this book, much of the focus is like, "Let's kill off the rest of the Amalekites at long last, then we'll rejoice over their obliteration!"

At this point, I've seen too much demonizing and "othering" of people in real life, seeing how the dehumanizing of humans desensitizes people, making it easier for them to celebrate, or justify, or excuse, or feel indifferent about the harsh treatment—even the killing—of "other" people. I've seen too much of it to take it for granted, even in fiction.

That includes biblical fiction.

One of several positive things this lifelong book lover can say is that reading novels oftentimes shows me or reiterates how I'm changing or have changed as a person. It's a bittersweet experience sometimes, but I'm grateful for it. show less

Ruth is my favorite book in the Bible, and the account of Ruth and Boaz has long held a kind of romance for me, so I have been picky about fictionalized versions of it. This is my favorite of any I’ve read or watched so far. I think the author did a good job remaining true to the biblical account and to the spirit of it.

Traylor had to attach real motivations to some of the actions and dialog in the account, and both Ruth and Boaz came across just right, in my opinion. Naomi was decent show more overall, too, though I might have preferred a little more build-up to her comments about being bitter when she first returns to Bethlehem. Orpah, on the other hand, had no love for her mother-in-law, yet wept when she turned back. Even with those notes, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will most likely read it again more than once in the future. In the end, it’s clear to me that this is a love story not only about the romance between a man and woman but between God and man. I can’t recommend this book enough for those who enjoy biblical fiction, and especially those who appreciate the book of Ruth as much as I do. show less

While I've got a certain fondness (nostalgia?) for this kind of cover artwork, the characters in this book are darker than the illustrations here, and the two in the front should be dressed like people in ancient Egypt. But no more about that.

I expected quite a dramatic, old-fashioned style when I picked up this biblical fiction novel from the '80s, and that's what I got, with much exclaiming (!) in the dialogue. The unfolding of the plot is fairly disjointed in a number of places, show more occasionally with continuity issues, and the development of the characters and emotion isn't the best.

Still, this is the kind of book I read for the general story, and this one kept me interested enough to keep reading. Some of the setting descriptions are pretty wonderful, and I also appreciate how the author set up Jacob's journey to weave with Joseph's.

I may be reading a more recent take on Joseph's story soon, so I wanted to try something older first. And I plan on reading at least one more book by this author. show less

Jonah
By Ellen Gunderson Traylor
Publisher: Living Books - Tyndale House Publishing
Published In: Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Date: 1989
Pgs: 257

REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
The first missionary, in a time of war, Jonah, the man swallowed by a whale, has his story told. A story of God’s work in a man’s soul. The bringing of truth through the crucible of rebellion and obedience. A tale of empire, war, nations, and kings.

Genre:
history, historical fiction, biblical fiction, fiction

Why this show more book:
I love a good Bible story. I’m not as familiar with Jonah’s story beyond the whale, more familiar with the stories of Moses, Job, and Noah.

This Story is About:
courage, working hard, doing the right thing, greed, friends, jealousy, love, caring, happiness, sadness, family

Favorite Character:
relatable, hateable

Least Favorite Character:
N/A

Character I Most Identified With:
How can you not identify with Jonah being swept along and having the word put upon him. He has a destiny pushed into him. He rebels. He runs. He relents. He prevails. He sees wisdom as the scales are dropped from his eyes.

The Feel:
Jonah’s story sweeps him along.

Favorite Scene:
When the Prophet Amos from Judah challenges the Cows, as he called the painted up, see and be seen people who were visiting the temples of Gilgal more to be seen and show that they were giving than for the giving.
As Jonah stands on the walls of just conquered Damascus watching Ashur-Dan king of Assyria flee from the desert gate of the city.
The whole sequence from the casting off the ship to being devoured by Leviathan to his time in the whale’s stomach to being cast upon a Libyan shore is awesomely done.

Settings:
Beth-El, Nineveh, Gilgal, Samaria, Damascus, Leviathan’s stomach, a Phoenician bark

Pacing:
The pace is good, a good page turn rate. Short chapters without being punchy.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
N/A

Last Page Sound:
Good for you Jonah.

Author Assessment:
If this is any indicator, I need to look at more by this author.

Editorial Assessment:
Well done.

Did the Book Cover Reflect the Story:
The cover shows Jonah on the deck of the Phoenician bark just prior to the crew casting lots and throwing him overboard. That’s the best scene to have illustrated for the story.

Hmm Moments:
The nightmare visions of Ninevah’s king shouting out to him for aid prior to his taking on his second ministry.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
glad I read it

Disposition of Book:
Irving Public Library, Irving, TX

Why isn’t there a screenplay?
A Jonah movie would be great.

Casting call:
Every biblical character should be portrayed by Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner.

Would recommend to:
Bibliophiles, the circuitously religious show less