MY REVIEW:
The Scroll takes the reader back to 73 AD at the last stand at Masada. You are taken through a number of generations ending at the end of Bar Kochba in the 130 AD. Miriam Feinberg Vamosh takes you into the constant tension between the Jewish people and the Roman government. This was an inspiration to him from the divorce scroll which is an actual archeological found in the 1950s. This tale begins with the failed rebellion against the Roman Empire at Masada and goes through several generations. You find yourself learning about their history and culture. You see the characters struggle to survive. If you want to learn about Jews this would be a great book to read. For example, how the household was run and how women were treated. This is a "happy ever after" novel, but it sure does pull at your heart. I felt bad for a lot of the characters. I found The Scroll to have some really interesting historical information, however, I have a hard time following the characters, but then again I have always had a hard time following anything in this time frame unless it is in a documentary.About the Book
A sensational but little known archaeological find, the divorce document of a woman named Miriam issued at the desert fortress of Masada is the basis for this new historical page turner. Beginning with a fateful decision by Miriam, a strong-willed survivor on Masada's final, horrific day, the tale spans three generations of her descendants. This saga extends from the depths of her despair on a barren desert plateau to the glittering city of Alexandria where Miriam sought love and a future, and back to the Holy Land, where, amid the clashing cultures at Beit Guvrin, the storied city of Zippori and, finally, at the emerald oasis of Ein Gedi, the past continues to stalk her, threatening to devour her children.
The Scroll is an adventure-rich voyage through the ancient customs and beliefs of Judaism and early Christianity and the challenges both faced in a hostile world. Readers are transported to the very roads and markets, palaces and hovels, synagogues and village squares of ancient Judea, where The Scroll's characters choose between nation and family, and finally, between life and death. Will Miriam's descendants learn the lessons of her life, or will enemies within and without rob those lessons from them?
Although The Scroll deals with events that took place two millennia ago, it sheds light which helps make sense of the complexities of today's Israel and the choices its leaders make.
About the AuthorMiriam Feinberg Vamosh is the author of several informative, illustrated books about ancient times in the Holy Land. But it is her novel, The Scroll, a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of Masada, which perhaps best reveals who Miriam is. That is because it delves into the issues that bedevil her and the people closest to her, all of whom are trying to make sense of the complexities of their country, Israel, its history, people, and the choices their leaders make. She is also the author of Teach it to Your Children: How Kids Lived in Bible Days (Avi Media), each of whose 12 chapters bring alive different aspects of Bible as seen through children's eyes, and contains an original short story, a "did you know" section and crafts. She also wrote Daily Life at the Time of Jesus, Food at the Time of the Bible, Women at the Time of the Bible, Reflections of God's Holy Land: a Personal Journey Through Israel (with Eva Marie Everson) and hundreds of articles about Israel's history, archaeology and tour sites. Daily Life has been translated into 32 languages, and Reflections of God's Holy Land is especially precious to her and is an award winner. Miriam was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and has lived in Israel since 1970. Her love affair with the Bible and ancient sources, which led to her writing career, deepened over many years as a tour educator -- every visitor who ever asked her a question has earned her gratitude. Miriam's interest in the New Testament began thanks to the abiding respect she learned in her parents' home, and the homes of her older brother and sister, for people of other faiths and cultures, and the tutelage of devoted teachers during a year of high school at what is now the Anglican International School in Jerusalem. Such inspirations encouraged and enabled her to specialize in weaving together Jewish literary sources, traditions and beliefs with the origins of Christianity, and teaching about them on-site throughout Israel. Miriam is also on the editorial staff of the Israeli daily Haaretz. Writing, translating and editing about events that took place millennia ago, together with her work for the news desk of a critical, cutting-edge newspaper is part and parcel of the complexities that for Miriam make life in Israel a neverending search for meaning. Miriam is married to Arik, is the mother of two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law, and grandmother of their growing families, and lives near Jerusalem.
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Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this ebook to read for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. Just Read Tours
