The Gilded Chamber: A Novel of Queen Esther

Before I knew it I was finished

I ran across this book doing a search for a book about Queen Esther. This book is based on the true story in the Bible but is fiction. I enjoyed this book so much before I knew it I was finished with the entire book. I looked forward to reading it and it was always hard to put down. Rebecca Kohn tried to imagine what it would be like to be in the kings harem and gave great details of what it could have been like. It shows a new perspective in the very difficult life that Queen Esther endured rather than enjoyed. In a time of many idols Esther stayed true to the one and true God and God rescued her. This book had some things that may be tabu to some. Its not something I would want my 13 year old daughter to read. Not this version of the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A STRONG, IF IMPERFECT DEBUT

For a debut novel, The Gilded Chamber is good quality. There is a high level of fidelity to the Biblical Scroll of Esther, and to the historical record.

A glaring exception is the early portrayal of Darius as a son of Cyrus the Great, somewhat clarified later in the book, but this point remains muddled. Another questionable item is the dwelling on a Babylonian uprising in which Hadassah's father dies, giving the story a feel of having one foot in the Babylonian Empire and another in the Persian Empire. Some readers will also take umbrage with cousins Esther and Mordechai being intended as lovers, but from a plot point of view, this makes enough dramatic sense to be forgiven.

Kohn is more loyal than Anita Diamant to history and the Bible, and her follow-up Seven Days to the Sea is an improvement over her debut, and thus wholly recommended.

Ancient Tale Brought to Glowing Life

Those unfamiliar with the Old Testament may vaguely recall Esther as someone important in Jewish history. Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman taken as a concubine for King Xerxes of Persia. Eventually she became his queen, and was ultimately responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews doomed to "ethnic cleansing" at the hands of the king's militia. The feast of Purim continues to be celebrated in honor of Esther's heroism and courage.
Author Rebecca Kohn vividly recreates the great palace, life in the harem, and the deadly intrigue surrounding the throne. Esther - clever, resourceful, and compassionate - triumphs over all, faithfully placing her trust in God. A book that is very hard to put aside once begun!

Great read!

This was the very interesting story of Esther from the Old Testament. This book isn't about religion and you don't need to be religious to read it. It was a fantastic way to become more informed of a beautiful story in the Bible.

NOT THAT GOOD

I really thought this was going to be a good read. How wrong I was! Esther is just a caricature. The characters are one-dimensional and the whole book felt repetitive.

Recommended !!

You will travel back in time and feel as if you are living the life of Queen Esther. A heartfelt and engaging human story. You will not be disappointed.

A lover of Books!

This is an excellent book! I found it while shopping, got it home and could not put it down! I loved how the retelling of Ester came alive! I'm Jewish and I always love reading the Megillah at Purim time and booing Hamen! This book is great and I highly recommend it!

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