The garden of Ruth

Description

A historical novel imagines the riveting story behind the Book of RuthSitting beneath a tree in ancient Bethlehem, Osnath, niece of the prophet Samuel, examines a dusty scrap of parchment she found hidden in her relative’s scroll room. Scrawled on the decaying page is an intriguing message addressed to Ruth the Moabite—great-grandmother of David, the future king of Israel. Compelled to discover the truth about Ruth’s life, Osnath begins searching for the identity of Ruth’s nameless lover and the secret that is cloaked behind his anonymity. But as she digs deeper into the past, she finds her inquiries blocked by David’s brother Eliab. What is the long-buried truth he fears will come to light? And what is the threat that Ruth’s story poses to his family’s vast inheritance?Eva Etzioni-Halevy’s novel deftly interweaves history and fiction to create a compelling exploration of a prominent biblical figure. Told through the voices of both Osnath and Ruth herself, The Garden of Ruth transports readers into the ancient world—and offers a dramatic and thought-provoking new perspective on a well-known tale.The second book in Eva Etzioni-Halevys novels featuring women of the Bible. This is biblical fiction at its best.

Description

As the novel opens, Osnath, the 15-year-old niece of the prophet Samuel, arrives in Bethlehem with her grandmother to visit relatives. There, in a scroll room, she finds a scrap of parchment hinting at an illicit love affair involving Ruth the Moabite. (The wife of wealthy Boaz, Ruth is perhaps best known as the great-grandmother of David, future king of Israel and notorious slayer of Goliath.) Ruth's descendants, especially her great-grandson Eliab, are determined to keep their ancestor's secrets safe.

Subjects

Genres

• Fiction.

Other Editions

• The garden of RuthPlume2007-01-01
• The Garden of RuthPlume2006-12-26
• The garden of RuthPlume2007-01-01
• The Garden of RuthElectronic resourcePenguin Group USA, Inc.2009-01-01