Zipporah, Wife of Moses

A Novel

By: Marek Halter

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

From the internationally best-selling author of Sarah comes the riveting story of the remarkable woman who walked beside Moses.

Although she is a Cushite by birth - one of the people of the lands to the south - Zipporah grew up as the beloved daughter of Jethro, high priest and sage of the Midianites. But the color of Zipporah’s skin sets her apart, making her an outsider to the men of her adopted tribe, who do not want her as a wife. Then one day while drawing water from a well, she meets a handsome young stranger. Like her, he is an outsider. A Hebrew raised in the house of the Egyptian Pharaoh, Moses is a fugitive, forced to flee his homeland. Zipporah realizes that this man will be the husband and partner she never thought she would have.

Moses wants nothing more than a peaceful life with the Midianites, but Zipporah won’t let Moses forget his past - or turn away from his true destiny. She refuses to marry him until he returns to Egypt to free his people. When God reveals himself to Moses in a burning bush, his words echo Zipporah’s, and Moses returns to Egypt with his passionate and generous wife by his side.

A woman ahead of her time, Zipporah leaps from the chapters of this remarkable novel. Bold, independent, and a true survivor, she is a captivating heroine, and her world of deserts, temples, and ancient wonders is a fitting backdrop to an epic tale.

©2005 Marek Halter (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Halter includes many rich cultural details and plenty of steamy sex, and he strikes a balance on miraculous occurrences, offering plausible ideas for some while leaving others open to divine activity." (Publishers Weekly)

Surprised and Disappointed

I listened to the sample of this book and thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more about Zipporah the wife of Moses. I was surprised to learn that this is not a biblical account of Zipporah's life at all. I was disappointed since I found it in the religion and inspiration category of Audible books.
This author depicts Zipporah as the adopted daughter of Jethro she is a stubborn and controlling woman that gives birth to both of Moses sons outside of marriage without shame. Jethro is a strong and wise leader in the bible but is depicted as a simpleton that drinks too much and allows his daughters too many liberties in him home for that time period. Be warned there are sex scenes which may appear slightly graphic for a Christian read but they are very tastefully depicted. If you like fiction then this is an ok read but if you are looking for a true accounting of Zipporah's life this listener suggest that you stick with the bibles account for now and continue your search for a true accounting of this amazing woman that no doubt had to endure many things being black and the wife of Moses.

Fiction

Not at all Biblically accurate. So this was a disappointment. I felt the same way I did when reading a book about King David where it suggested he must have been gay and that Jonathan and he were lovers. Quite absurd! Little is known about Zipporah and I had hoped to learn more about Moses' wife through this one but it is a strange account with a lot of "literary license" used by this author.

A good listen!

This is one of those books where you're sorry they come to an end! The publisher's description provides a good summary of the story, and I was caught up in the daily life of the time of Moses. Old Testament characters were brought to life, and their humanity evoked empathy (and outrage!) as well as a renewed appreciation for what Moses accomplished. Zipporah is a wonderful protagonist, and Bernadette Dunne does justice to all the characters. I recommend this listen!

Interesting...

I chose to listen to this book because, like many others, I craved more of The Red Tent. At times, this book is brilliant, but at other times, it's clunky. On the one hand, the author tries to give his female characters real authority and autonomy in the story, but even so, I couldn't really get over the fact that it often feels like this is some European man's bizarre fantasy about living as a black woman.

Captivating

Would you listen to Zipporah, Wife of Moses again? Why?

I have listened over and over again because from the first line until the end it draws you in and you are saying, "I want some more, it cant end like this."

What did you like best about this story?

How their love and unspoken romance shouted to you but was so brilliantly captivating and sexy raw cut in a time where romance wasn't spoken of but played down.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he discovered who he was by knowing that she was the woman God had given him from the beginning even though he never spoke a word.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did more than once. All of her books are amazing.

Any additional comments?

more books from the bible in an epic depiction that brings them to life in vivid color....

Great even after 2nd listening!

Loved the story again!! I've always wondered why Moses sons were killed in this story.

To far

Don’t call this historical fiction. It’s a story with names from the Bible. To much creative license.

Disappointed

I have enjoyed many Biblical novels of fiction. This seemed to be racially charged from the beginning. One comment in the Bible does not justify the emphasis of this book. Disappointed with the general theme and the concluding deaths. Too unreal

Zipporah

Overall I’m not sorry I read the book because I love Cristian fiction. It dragged in parts with Zipporah’s misplaced emotions. And the ending was rushed. I can’t recommend it, sorry.

poor attention to detail

this rendition does not pay attention to the biblical details. moses was raised by his birth mother, in the palace.. she became his "nursemaid".... very likely he knew his siblings from birth, through his mother.... as well as the hebrew language and traditions..... concerning his mission, and the burning bush.... i doubt those could have happened after having sex with a woman he wasnt married to