Drawing in the Dust

Fast-paced with a strong support cast, readers will dig the superb DRAWING IN THE DUST

For Twelve years American archeologist Page Brookstone has dug at the biblical site Megiddo, Israel, but is bone weary. She knows she needs a change to rejuvenate her creative juices as the dig has become tedious to her in spite of Norris Anderson, who worked with her late legendary father.--------

The car of an Arab couple Naima and Ibrahim breaks down near the dig. Page offers them tea inside her tent. They soon invite Page to investigate the two spirits who haunt the ruins under their home in Anatot near Jerusalem. Page's peers suggest it is unsafe, but she assumes they mean an American in an Arab neighborhood. She travels to the site where she and her team unearth an incredible biblical find. She soon realizes incredible is an under exaggeration as Page believes they have found the burial site of the prophet Jeremiah and his beloved Anatiya. Fascinatingly Anatiya has left her version of the times that matches up with the Book of Jeremiah. Soon the find leads to a major brouhaha while Page is attracted to Orthodox Jew Mortichai Master, who opposes the dig.--------

Rabbi Klein's terrific thriller works for three prime reasons. First it is not another Brownian clone. Second the insightful look at how tedious and methodical a biblical dig is brings authenticity to the plot. Finally, Arabs like Naima and Ibrahim are intelligent highly educated people. Rabbi Klein shows respect and admiration of Israeli and Arab cultures. Fast-paced with a strong support cast, readers will dig the superb DRAWING IN THE DUST as the Prophet Jeremiah comes alive through his writings and that of the woman he loved Anatiya.-------

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Drawing in the Dust is a commanding and illuminating read told by a phenomenal new voice with an obvious old soul.

Page Brookstrone has been searching her whole life, for the meaning of life, the meaning of her life. She has a terrible legacy she hopes she won't fulfill but is afraid non-the-less to realize it's truth. At a young age her father died after a battle with ALS so she now devotes her life to the dead, the long dead as an archeologist and as she searches in Israel for treasures hidden in it's dust she discovers something amazing, something life altering, something controversial and something heralding in her field. Now the true question is, what will she do. Will she go along with the status quo, or will she ford a new stream and take a stand.
Zoe is an astonishing storyteller as she spellbinds you from the first page and keeps you there until the novel is finished. Her plot is an always interesting subject for me as I love ancient history and archeology and adore stories of powerful women. Her dialogue is prose like in it's flow, exact enough for a textbook when she goes into her science speak and scholarly in her theology. She will paint pictures in your mind of her scenes that will leave you breathless in their graphic depictions. She gives us amazingly diverse characters that will leave you in awe, some you will grow to love and some you will learn to despise. Her champion Page is a multilevel character who is tenacious in her chosen field and yet is vulnerable and immature in her own person. As we watch her grow through the tale we gain more respect for her and begin to understand what makes her tick. Her male protagonist is a most unlikely hero and at your first meeting you'll think him just another minor figure in the book so he I will let you figure out. She has also a co-heroine and hero in the novel, but I'll let you discover them on your own as well. This is a love story, but not a romance and her portrayal will offend no one.
If you love historic fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction or theological fiction then you won't be sorry you chose this read, actually anyone who reads this will be pleased they did. I personally love stories depicting capable and even forceful women especially in historic settings where we were little more than livestock to men. This is a definite must read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Intense and Romantic

This book has so much going for it. The setting in Israel is really vivid and the archaeological dig (which happens in someone's house!) is really fascinating. It's obvious that the author (who also happens to be a rabbi) really knows what she is talking about. I also loved the romance between the protagonist, who is a Christian from America, and the Jewish Orthodox scholar. The book reminds me a bit of People of the Book and it also has elements of The Red Tent. Highly enjoyable and thought-provoking!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

serenity

This book is a cannot put down read, you learn quite a bit about the dig's in Israel and the people, Rabbi Klein writes in the most peaceful way, you fall in love with the people of different faiths & heritige. You become part of the book, you are @ the dig, she write's so visiual, you will want to get on a plane to Israel. You get excited over each find. Do not miss one of the great book's of our time.

Very Highly Recommended!

This was the featured read last fall on the B&N General Fiction Book Club, but I just finally got around to buying and reading Drawing in the Dust, by Zoe Klein.
The story was riveting as you followed the heroine through her search for the treasure hidden in an previously undiscovered archeological site that she "stumbles" upon through an interesting series of events.
What makes the book EVEN MORE riveting is the attention to detail that Zoe gives to the story of the Prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament and how she draws the story of this tragic prophet into and inter-weaves Jeremiah's story with the story of the excavation of her site.
The "quoted" text of the Scroll of another prophetess, Anatiya, that is referenced through out the book is written brilliantly. The text of this "Scroll of Anatiya" is so close to the style and rhythm of the voice of Jeremiah, that you begin to wonder whether or not there is actually another unpublished scroll out there that has been unearthed and never been released to public review.
I highly recommend this book to any student of the Old Testament, to any romantic at heart, to any mystery buff, and to any person who loves a great read.
For those who are looking for a book that is good enough to demand a re-read.....you have found one here. I am going to have to re-read this one again --- slower this time --- that way I can slowly absorb each innuendo and phrase of the story, as well as each melodic turn of phrase of the poetry quoted from the "Scroll of Anatiya". BTW, you can also purchase the Scroll of Anatiya, as a separate book, a complete work, unto itself.

This book actually made me want to further study religion so that I would better understand the characters. I actually did some research on Jeremiah. There was something "Jobian" about him since he is a tragic figure.

The book surprised me because I didn't expect the story to unfold as it did since it was written by a Rabbi. Rabbi Zoe Klein is apparently an open minded, modern Rabbi who portrays and develops her characters with an honesty I would have expected more from a secular author. It is a book about discovery, archeological, religious and personal. It is a book about love with all of its ramifications. I liked it especially because of its unexpected turn of events. We follow the main character as she ...more The book surprised me because I didn't expect the story to unfold as it did since it was written by a Rabbi. Rabbi Zoe Klein is apparently an open minded, modern Rabbi who portrays and develops her characters with an honesty I would have expected more from a secular author. It is a book about discovery, archeological, religious and personal. It is a book about love with all of its ramifications. I liked it especially because of its unexpected turn of events. We follow the main character as she peels back the layers of history and her own past and do not want to stop turning the pages.
The book is also an interesting take on the discoveries out there, still waiting to be found. As the story unfolds, we are witnesses to a monumental archeological find which has the power to change the world, but forces, outside archeology, conspire to keep it hidden.
We learn that bridges can be crossed by some, fences can be mended and perhaps a greater understanding of all people can be achieved. It will take time and patience and open minds but there can be happy endings and perhaps "love can conquer all".

You won't want to put this book down

This book is gripping right from the first page. I saw it in the bookstore and wrote it down to buy for when I'd finished my present book - I lasted 2 days before I was back buying it and I never did finish my other book!
It is such a great mix of different genres and it keeps you hooked the entire time you're reading it.
Loved the book and can't wait for her to write another one.

A Great Read!

Drawing in the Dust is a wonderful combination of archaeological interest, discussion of religion & history, current events, mystery and romance. The book's plot was fast paced and kept my interest while still being intellectually stimulating. I look forward to reading Zoe Klein's next book.

I read the book jacket and was captivated...

I had originally walked away from this one, but I couldn't get it out of my mind. From the very beginning I was drawn into Page's life and her need to help the Barakats. Anatiya's story and the lyrical flavor of Klein's words were simply enchanting. I felt like I was digging alongside Page as she discovers the cistern and is captivated by Anatiya and Jeremiah. What a wonderful surprise this story was!

The most beautiful writing...you cannot live on this earth without reading this book.

There really are no words to describe the gorgeous juicy writing of Drawing in the Dust. I was there in the cistern with Page. I could see and feel the dust. I read it slooooowwlly, to savor every beautifully crafted sentence. I felt drenched in the descriptions. For five days I lived in this book. The "Scroll of Anatiya" descibes a deep love that if any of us experience in our lifetime, we will know we have been blessed with a true 'Rumi and Shams' experience. I thank the author for bringing her writing to us.

A let down

I read an advanced copy and I thought the book had a lot of potential. The ghost story being set in Israel is what appealed to me, however the characters were not believable. I felt the main character did not act as a grown woman would- she was a permanent child. The dialogue was a bit pretentious at times, it seemed like Klein was trying too hard. There were a few great one liners, but I wouldn't tell people to waste their time reading this debut.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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