The Dovekeepers

A Novel

By: Alice Hoffman, Heather Lind

Narrated by: Aya Cash, Jessica Hecht, Tovah Feldshuh

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Over five years in the writing, Alice Hoffman’s most ambitious and mesmerizing work ever, a triumph of imagination and research set in ancient Israel.

The author of such iconic bestsellers as Illumination Night, Practical Magic, Fortune’s Daughter, and Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, Alice Hoffman is one of the most popular and memorable writers of her generation. Now, in The Dovekeepers, Hoffman delivers her most masterful work yet - one that draws on her passion for mythology, magic, and archaeology and her inimitable understanding of women.

In 70 C.D., nine hundred Jews held out for months against armies of Romans on a mountain in the Judean desert, Masada. According to the ancient historian Josephus, two women and five children survived. Based on this tragic historical event, Hoffman weaves a spellbinding tale of four extraordinary, bold, resourceful, and sensuous women, each of whom comes to Masada by a different path. Yael’s mother died in childbirth, and her father never forgave her for that death. Revka, a village baker’s wife, watched the horrifically brutal murder of her daughter by Roman soldiers; she brings to Masada her twin grandsons, rendered mute by their own witness. Aziza is a warrior’s daughter, raised as a boy, a fearless rider and expert marksman, who finds passion with another soldier. Shirah is wise in the ways of ancient magic and medicine, a woman with uncanny insight and power. The lives of these four complex and fiercely independent women intersect in the desperate days of the siege, as the Romans draw near. All are dovekeepers, and all are also keeping secrets - about who they are, where they come from, who fathered them, and whom they love.

This novel is Alice Hoffman’s masterpiece.

©2011 Alice Hoffman (P)2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Beautiful, harrowing, a major contribution to twenty-first century literature." (Toni Morrison, Nobel Laureate in Literature)

"I am still reeling from The Dovekeepers - from the history Alice Hoffman illuminates, from the language she uses to bring these women to life. This novel is a testament to the human spirit and to love rising from the ashes of war. But most of all, this novel is one that will never be forgotten by a reader." (Jodi Picoult, author of Sing You Home)

“In her remarkable new novel, Alice Hoffman holds a mirror to our ancient past as she explores the contemporary themes of sexual desire, women's solidarity in the face of strife, and the magic that's quietly present in our day-to-day living. Put The Dovekeepers at the pinnacle of Hoffman's extraordinary body of work. I was blown away.” (Wally Lamb, author of The Hour I First Believed)

The Dovekeepers

This is the second novel that I have heard from Alice Hoffman, and it did not disappoint. This is a great book that promotes female empowerment, as well as the complexities of human nature.

Beautiful novel!

What did you love best about The Dovekeepers?

The back stories of all the women.

What did you like best about this story?

The heart-wrenching emotion and the climax.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

All the women were strong. No favorites.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried more often than I might have liked since I was painting the spare room! ;-)

Any additional comments?

A beautiful book. Well worth the time and the slow start. One of my all-time favorites.

How I fell in love with Alice Hoffman

This book popped up as a recommendation for me and I had no way of knowing at the time of purchase that it would be the book that would make me fall in love with Alice Hoffman and everything she writes.

I really appreciate how Hoffman writes women who are both strong and vulnerable at the same time. This book is a beautiful story which illustrates that there is more than one way to have courage.

It is not only beautifully written but the performance of all the narrators is incredible. They convey wonderful depth of feeling. This book is one of the ones in my library that I listen to over and over again. It is certainly one of my best purchases.
AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY #audible20reviewsweepstakesentry

Perfect story for audio

A wonderful story made all the more compelling by four, well-chosen narrators. I recommend it for everyone of all ages, and genders!

If you loved the Red Tent

If you love bible stories about women,if you read the Red Tent, you will love this book. There is magic, but it is grounded in faith and hardship and thousands of years of heritage. I love that each women was given their own voice. I have to remind myself that is is not like her other books. These women or women just like them really survivied and utimately thrived.

Torn...

I am torn when it comes to this book; initially I thought it was great but I must admit that the way it is performed and the mix of characters left me somewhat unsatisfied. I struggled keeping the different women apart and while I liked getting to know them and their lives, I also felt that the story dragged on too long. It is not a bad read but it isn't a really great one either.

One word: Phenomenal!

Would you listen to The Dovekeepers again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this book again. The stories of the 4 women were weaved so seamlessly together. I was riveted from beginning to end!

Who was your favorite character and why?

While all the women possessed such strength of character in the face of certain death, Yael was by far my favorite. Her incredible journey left me in awe of her perseverance and fortitude.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was holding my breath when Yael released the lion from the Romans camp. The emotion of that moment brought tears to my eyes. I will never forget it.

If you could take any character from The Dovekeepers out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Dinner with Shirah would be an amazing event. Of all the women, she was the wisest and most cunning. Shirah carried with her so much knowledge of her people's culture and secrets of the generations before her. I would be thrilled to share a meal with her and have her confidence.

Any additional comments?

This is the first book I have read of this era which took me to the time and place of these brave people. I saw what they saw and felt what they felt. Alice Hoffman is a master storyteller. Heather Lind, Aya Cash, Jessica Hecht and Tovah Feldshuh brought life to the words and kept me spellbound!

This is a heartbreaking story !

I loved it and could not stop listening to this odyssey. I was spellbound. I have no words to express my experience and I can not image the amount of research and time it took to write such an enthralling adventure with so many twists and turns. I recommend this story to everybody because for me it is a masterpiece.

cultural poetry

a truly magical story and insight to a people. I loved it from beginning to end.

Excellent

Gosh, this book was great! I couldn't wait to get in the car to listen to this book. I hated for it to end. I am so impressed with Alice Hoffman's work, research and story. I've recommended this to everyone I know.