The Dovekeepers Audiobook By Alice Hoffman cover art

The Dovekeepers

A Novel

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The Dovekeepers

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Aya Cash, Tovah Feldshuh, Jessica Hecht, Heather Lind
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An ambitious and mesmerizing historical novel from the bestselling author of Rules of Magic. The Dovekeepers is “striking….Hoffman grounds her expansive, intricately woven, and deepest new novel in biblical history, with a devotion and seriousness of purpose” (Entertainment Weekly).

Nearly two thousand years ago, nine hundred Jews held out for months against armies of Romans on Masada, a mountain fortress in the Judean desert. According to the ancient historian Josephus, two women and five children survived. Based on this tragic and iconic event, Hoffman’s novel is a spellbinding tale of four extraordinarily bold, resourceful, and sensuous women, each of whom has come to Masada by a different path. Yael’s mother died in childbirth, and her father, an expert assassin, never forgave her for that death. Revka, a village baker’s wife, watched the murder of her daughter by Roman soldiers; she brings to Masada her young grandsons, rendered mute by what they have witnessed. Aziza is a warrior’s daughter, raised as a boy, a fearless rider and expert marksman who finds passion with a fellow soldier. Shirah, born in Alexandria, 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 Roman siege of Masada. All are dovekeepers, and all are also keeping secrets—about who they are, where they come from, who fathered them, and whom they love. Ancient Fiction Historical Fiction Jewish Women's Fiction World Literature Magic Middle East Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Inspiring
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Historical Richness • Strong Female Characters • Compelling Storyline • Emotional Depth • Vivid Descriptions

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What did you like best about The Dovekeepers? What did you like least?

Intriguing idea and inventive story telling, but the first story was too detailed and other stories left too much out. The pacing was off. Having a different reader for each character was terrific, but the first reader did not pronounce the Hebrew words correctly and it was terribly distracting.

If you’ve listened to books by Alice Hoffman and Heather Lind before, how does this one compare?

I listened to The Red Garden, which was also good but not great, though the reader, Nancy Travis, was excellent.

Did the narrators do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes. Each had their own style, but they couldn't overcome some weaknesses in character development and pacing.

Could you see The Dovekeepers being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Definitely. Not sure of actresses.

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to love this book, but I didn't. There was enough that was interesting to keep me going, but it always felt a little bit like work. I was very much looking forward to the Big Speech by the group's leader (history tells that he was very eloquent), but it wasn't especially inspiring, and the female reader did a terrible job trying to sound like a man's voice. Disappointing. Not a bad book, but not as good as it could and should have been.

Not quite what I was hoping

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What did you like best about this story?

I loved the weaving of history and the very well-drawn characters in this book. I did not know much at all about what had actually happened at Masada (I'd heard of the term, but did not know what had taken place there), and this totally brought that story to life and I learned so much about it. It's such a beautiful piece of literature, I loved everything about this book. The narration was absolutely superb. A definite must to read!

I loved this book!

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It???s a page-turner, so I liked it! Yes, it was over written (full of hyperboles?) and long. BUT it was a page-turner, so ??? I liked it. Also, it shed light on an interesting and tragic historical event, the siege at Masada, and I love historical fiction when it can bring an event alive for me. It was a very powerful evocation of the whole Masada story for the Jews.

The book deals a LOT with the feminine aspect of God or the Goddess and magic. The women characters are strong! It reminded me of The Mists of Avalon as I was reading. Now I looked at a book review online and the reviewer called it ???the Mists of Avalon for Jews???! So I???m not alone in my comparison. Shira, the Witch of Moab, is like Morgaine, and Eleazar ben Ya'ir would be Uther Pendragon. Perhaps if you liked Mists of Avalon like I did, you???ll like this book. It???s been a long time since I read Mists??? BUT I think I like MZBradley???s writing better than this, too. BUT this is still a page turner ???

It was interesting to me how this feminine aspect of God and the practices it inspired were outlawed by the Jews. The women who practiced it were persecuted, like one of the main characters, Shira. (Keshaphim: Forbidden magic and witchcraft said to be practiced by women, believed to be pervasivise during the Second Temple period due to found artfacts including amulets, incantation bowls, and written spells??? To me it showed that the chain of persecution continues??? the hunter becomes the hunted, etc. Will there ever really be true religious tolerance?

There were a lot of references to silence in the book. There were the 2 boys who were mute. Yael was always described as being pretty quiet and loving silence. And here???s a good quote: ???Although words were God???s first creation, silence was closer to his divine spirit. And that prayers given in silence were infinitely greater than the thousands of words men might offer up to heaven.??? It???s interesting trying to figure out what that all means. I don???t think I???ve got it yet??? any ideas?


A Page Turner!

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Usually, I like to listen to action-packed thrillers while I exercise. But every once in a while, I download a book that’s a total departure one of my usual selections. The Dovekeepers, by Alice Hoffman was such a fortunate choice.
I found the performance to be poetic and stirring. It is the story of the Zealots, who died by their own hands on Masada after being besieged by the Tenth Roman Legion in the early part of the Common Era. I enjoyed the author’s description of ordinary life in biblical times, as told from the viewpoint of a young woman. The most interesting thing about The Dovekeepers is its use of the Bible as a guide book and a history book.
I have stood atop Masada. The ramp that was built by the Romans still stands. Herod’s castle has been restored. So, I was able to see myself taking part in page after page of this lovely book.
For me The Dovekeepers was a meaningful, carefully crafted voyage into the violent history of civilization’s earliest days.

A lovely story of life in the time of the Bible

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

Yes - don't ever miss out one of Alice Hoffmans books. It's even better as audiobook!!

It's Alice Hoffman, says it all!

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