The Triumph of Deborah

A courageous heroine takes center stage in the third biblical novel from Etzioni-Halevy (The Garden of Ruth). In this captivating account of a prophetess, leader and judge, the author interweaves a scriptural narrative with a riveting plot. From her post amidst the mountains of Efraim, in the ancient Israelite realm, Deborah doles out justice to those seeking arbitration even as she struggles to channel her prophesies and come to terms with her love life. At the same time, in the hostile kingdom of Canaan, Princess Asherah's husband leads the Canaanite army into battle against the Israelites. Etzioni-Halevy clearly portrays the brutal violence and harsh realities of war and slavery. When the Israelite army gains the upper hand, Deborah realizes her destiny is linked to the lives of two other women. Some readers may take umbrage at Etzioni-Halevy's depiction of Deborah as a promiscuous woman but after a sluggish beginning, the author delves more fully into the historical context and social mores of an ancient but vibrant culture. Despite millennia of separation, this book illustrates that the archetypal themes of love and war never age.