Listen free for 30 days
-
The Dovekeepers
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Aya Cash, Jessica Hecht, Tovah Feldshuh
- Length: 19 hrs and 1 min
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $33.98
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Great first listens
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.
What the critics say
More from the same
Narrator:
What listeners say about The Dovekeepers
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Trikucian
- 2021-12-07
Good but triggering
This novel is very good and is especially engaging in regards to ancient Jewish history and religion. My main issue with the book was it's frequent depictions of rape and child abuse, including child rape. I know these things happen, and are depicted as sad, horrible things, but their constant mention was overwhelming. I wouldn't recommend it as it's too triggering, too difficult to be enjoyable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rena
- 2022-12-15
Couldn’t finish
A throughly depressing book masterfully written IF that’s what you’re looking for and what you want to invest your time in, but I wasn’t willing to fill my mind and my time with the brutality and suffering that filled each chapter. The book hits home on how these peoples lives were dictated by religion, superstition, magic, indoctrination and male domination.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Vonda
- 2023-04-25
Hauntingly beautiful
Couldn’t stop listening to this story.. this is definitely one I will be revisiting and rereading/listening to. Every time the narration changed from character to character I was sad to leave that ‘person’ behind; yet the next character created the same fixated emotions in me. Definitely cried a few times. This is my 3rd book from this author and I will certainly be getting more. I’ve come to learn that Alice Hoffman novels are not for the faint of heart, they are depressing for sure. But to me, they are hauntingly beautiful.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rebecca Meadows
- 2023-02-27
Best book I’ve read in years
Compelling storytelling. I haven’t read anything like this before and this is by far the best book I’ve read in over 10 years. Highly recommend to everyone.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bex
- 2023-02-19
Haunting
This is a haunting story of the strength and power of women who had so little obvious power in their world and time. It is beautifully told with rich images and language.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!