REBEL DAUGHTER

Esther Bat Hanan is finally a woman; now she is privy to the harsh reality of what it means to be female and Jewish in Roman-ruled Judea during the first century C.E.

Based on a real gravestone found in Italy that bears a plea for protection from a man who loved her, Esther’s story takes place during the destruction of Jerusalem and the second Jewish temple in 66 C.E. Esther, at the age of 14, is torn between being a dutiful daughter and following her own dreams. Out of obligation, Esther always chooses her family, ultimately braving abuse, famine, war, and slavery to protect those whom she loves. While Esther’s fictionalized journey from privileged child to hardened survivor is unusual and captivating, the disjointed and dispassionate third-person narrative makes this novel a somewhat clunky and slow read. The often barbaric society of the ancient Roman Empire, where rape, murder, and ritual animal sacrifice are commonplace, makes for a harsh setting that may be difficult for sensitive readers to get through. Esther’s remarkable, mysterious, and meticulously researched story is one that demands to be told and imagined fully; unfortunately it is let down by an unnecessarily lengthy plot.

Despite its interesting basis, this is a lackluster glimpse into a shrouded mystery.