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)

Dark book. Smart and well written. Very sad.

Dark book. Smart and well written. Very sad. It was very good like all Hoffman books. This book was different.

Amazing story. Strong performance.

It's been a long time since I've read a book this strong. It will be a favorite. And the voices of the narrators are perfect in the portrayals of their characters. I've always been a fan of Alice Hoffman, but this one is by far her best yet. Don't miss it.

Loved this book.

I did not want this book to end. My second book by Alice Hoffman. I can't wait to start another of her books.

Loved it

I enjoyed it very much. I could not stop listening. The words flowed very well.

A Haunting Vision Shimmering in the Desert

Any additional comments?

I read this book several months ago and kept meaning to write a review because I loved it so much. So, here I am writing it now after such a long time. I'm at this time left with more feelings and impressions than really absolutes about the plot. I have recommended this book over and over again and here is the reason why.There is a spiritual and romantically psychological depth to which this book takes one that I find extremely rare. I kept feeling while I was listening that it was a truly joyous experience. I am in awe of writers who can get to that level while also telling a story that is moving and significant on the world historical stage. My deepest spiritual self was touched over and over as the characters were propelled through constantly conflicting and threatening situations. Please don't misunderstand, these were very difficult times and brutal situations, but the author allowed for a wondrous depth of spirit against that background that must be spoken to and appreciated.I'm trying not to talk directly about the storyline in order not to take away from future readers. There was so much going on around them on the outside (physically), but they also were dealing with an enormous amount of growth and experience on the inside (spiritually).I truly loved "The Dovekeepers" and am looking forward to the time when it is far enough in the future to be able to reread it with fresh eyes once again. As I said, I have told many of my friends about it and they have all love it and we have spent time talking and sharing our different "takes" on the various aspects of it.

Not my favorite

I was not expecting a happy story within the tale of Masada, because I know how it ends. But I was not expecting to get bored waiting for that end, and sometimes I really did. I agree with another review that a single story teller might have been better, or else more interweaving of the stories instead of one at a time. Also, each character did not finish, which was frustrating. Each character told you their history and how they came to be in Masada, and each storyteller got you closer to the end, but then only one character tells you the end of the story. I would have liked each woman I invested time in to tell me how her story ended - good or bad - for herself, as they had all told me up to now.
I did not have any great complaints about the readers, but no great reports either.
Overall, I'm not sorry I read it, but I am also not: enlightened, educated or feeling better for having experienced it, so in the end, cannot recommend it.

Who knew?

What did you love best about The Dovekeepers?

The fiction imagined from the historical events

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dovekeepers?

The end. Some folks escaped.

Any additional comments?

I liked the book and couldn't wait to see what would happen. Surprises at every turn... A great interpretation of historical events as they've been passed down.

Tragic, spiritual and graphic. Excellent read!

acknowledging that I have very little understanding of the history behind this novel, I found it to be riveting. It is extremely tragic and the graphic nature of the misery has a lot of momentum. it gets worse and worse until you think you can't take it anymore. You can. Finish it. Excellent book!

Gripping Story

This is a mesmerizing story that kept me fully engaged to the very end. I highly recommend it!

Compelling Story

I loved the perspective of this book being from four different people with four different and fabulous narrators. I thought the subject matter was fascinating and I totally loved LOVED that it was from a woman's perspective. That it is based on a true story makes it all the better. I tried to put myself in the place of each of these strong women, and decided I might act in a similar way in their places. I hope I would have been strong. I am so excited to see the mini series now.