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)

Wonderful

Very different from Practical Magic. It has it's own magic, though. Told from the women who lived in a time when one can imagine magic had it's place in daily life.

HAVE YOU EVER READ…

A story so captivating, so thought provoking, so beautiful that it left you thinking about it for days? Years ago I read The Dovekeepers and loved it. Recently I was traveling and wanted a something to listen to that would last the whole trip. I chose this book, remembering how it affected me the first time I read it. Listening to the four voices of the women who read the story only adds to the unknown beauty of the story within. If you are trying to decide between The Dovekeepers and anything else, choose this one!

The Risk of Religious Subjects

Novels based on religious events or religious figures are inherently risky. Many modern novelists are not passionate believers or active participants in their religion and their attitude is shared by most of the readers who follow them. Another large group of readers, however, are ardent believers and practitioners and react vociferously to fictional accounts of events and the actions of religious figures. An author risks boring his or her own readership with a highly orthodox version of the events or enraging a large group of other readers who were attracted to this new work because of the religious topic. The reaction of certain Christian church leaders to two books by Anne Rice, who is best known for her vampire novels, that recount the boyhood and early adult life of Jesus Christ, are cases in point. I have not read Anne Rice???s vampire novels but I did read Christ the Lord and The Road to Cana, because I liked one of her early novels, The Eve of All Saints. I liked the religious novels, but some new readers did not like the author???s fictionalization of the stories; and, as a result, Anne Rice has returned to writing for her established vampire audience.

I was afraid that Alice Hoffman???s book, The Dovekeepers, would be either too religious or too involved with the Jewish State to be of interest. Because I have read and enjoyed 11 of Alice???s other books, however, I jumped in. I thoroughly enjoyed the new book, which uses the events at Masada in 70 ??? 73 CE primarily as a backdrop for the exploration of several women who were trapped there when the Romans overran the fortress. I found the stories interesting, well-immersed in the history of Israel, Jerusalem, Rome, and Alexandria; and I found the characters strong and passionate, although more modern in their thinking that most women of 70 CE. The zealots defending Masada are not all good men, acting only for the good of Israel. The women are not all holy, pure, devoted, or faithful. What I found engaging about the book, however, caused Sarah Fay, the reviewer for the New York Times, to pan the book in very uncertain terms. Although she never said so, Ms. Fay seems to believe that Alice Hoffman is unworthy to use the Masada story and to focus on the women involved rather than the religious or national significance of the Masada story. Her objections are framed in literary terms but have a decidedly personal tone, which I was amazed to see applied to a widely-followed and admired author by a reviewer for the New York Times.

I believe that sales of the novel and the weight of other reviews will demonstrate the error of the Sarah Fay review.

Disappointed

Where does The Dovekeepers rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As an audiobook it was great

Would you be willing to try another book from Alice Hoffman and Heather Lind ? Why or why not?

I would be unlikely to buy another book by these authors. I found myself depressed after reading it.

Awesome

A smidge confusing until you figure out what time period they are talking about. Again, for historical fiction lovers it's a must read!

Fabulous!

The story captures you quick and doesn't let go...I couldn't stop listening. I loved the use of the different narrators for the characters in this particular book. It really accentuated the telling. Well researched and incredible story written with enormous literary skill.

Outstanding performances

What did you love best about The Dovekeepers?

The setting of the story gives a rare and intriguing glimpse of history from a women's point of view true to Alice Hoffman's style. The characters are richly developed and you can't help but fall in love with them.

deep, very deep

a lot of tales and stories. a tale of the strength of women through ages and their role in Judaism.

Too depressing to bear

I have loved some of Alice Hoffman’s other work. She clearly does great research and is a masterful storyteller. That said, this book was just sooo depressing. I couldn’t finish it. Didn’t connect with any of the characters, didn’t find the narration pleasing. My attempts to stay with the story just ended in sadness and the feeling that I didn’t want to spend any more of my valuable time trying to get through it. I like at least a little hope in my reading!

Her finest novel.... but long

It's l-o-n-g as an audio book. Very lyrical, very evocative, but very long. It's not for everyone.