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)

Wow

This book was so amazing. The different voices bringing the characters to life added yet another layer of texture to this rich story. It was so easy to fall into the story and live these lives of the women who kept the Doves. History and imagination woven together to tell a tale I will never forget


Audible 20 sweepstakes review entry

Best story I have listened to in a long time!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! It was a well done performance and excellent story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was a lot of heart wrenching moments in this book.

God's Chosen People

Brought me back to a time long ago when God was remembered as being truly the center of everything like He should be. Taught me of the struggles of the Jewish people when the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Very informative as well as a beautifully written story.

Mesmerizing

I couldn't wait too be in a situation that I could listen to this book. When I want listening, I was thinking about the story line and the characters.
Alice Hoffman is an exceptional writer. She weaves a mesmerizing tale of four women who face their fates in the time of Masada. The narrators were excellent, each bringing their character's entangled stories alive.
A wonderful book.

Excellent Book

Long book but I was captivated all the way through. The writing was fabulous and descriptive enough, your imagination takes you away to locations and situations that are unbelievable.

Please get a pronunciation coach for Hebrew words

I loved the story very much and the readers/actors were amazing. I would highly recommend this book.
I just had a problem with the repeated mispronunciation of many of the Hebrew words in the text. As
someone who is very familiar with Hebrew, it really detracted from the flow of the story when words
were consistently mispronounced. Otherwise, great job!

wow

This story has an actual Soul and I'm sad that It's over. Beautiful and alive, amazing.

Tragic, but I loved it

It gave me a sense of what they experienced, I've been to Masada three times, and each time wished I could somehow communicate with the people who lived and died there. This helped even though it is fiction. Thank you Alice Hoffman, you are gifted.

wow!!!

What a wonderful book! I rarely am moved to research things I read about, especially fiction books. This was one of the few exceptions - I got information from a Jewish friend & I was looking at everything I could find about the siege of Mount Masada. Such a sad story. The narrators were also so believable in their roles and brought ancient times to life.

Tragedy. But beautifully read .

I loved the woman , great idea to have all read their narrative . The first part is slow and depressing . Yael is raped and falls for her capture . When they arrive in the city it becomes very interesting, I cried at the end ,