Esther: A Story of Courage

This is historical fiction at it's best. Meticulously researched and accurate where possible while at the same time totally captivating. It's the story of a young Hebrew girl living in Persia c. 480 B.C.E. after her people had been exiled from Jerusalem. King Xerxes sends his men to find beautiful women for his harem and Esther is taken by force from her family. As the story of royal harem life and firey politics unwinds Esther finds herself more deeply involved in the King's life than she ever dreamed. Her strength and courage as she saves her people from annihilation give the reader cause for contemplation and make you fall in love with her. Esther herself is enchanting but the whole cast of characters is skillfully developed. Before you know it you are floating along in the story and living in the 5th century B.C.E. The descriptions and history mesh perfectly with the fictional elements to create a spellbinding story of intrigue, mystery, murder, and romance. The best part of the book for the true historical fiction fan is the part where Trudy Morgan-Cole details how she researched the book. She explains which parts are true, which parts are probably true, and which parts are pure fiction. She touches on the difficulties of researching historical figures from over 2000 years ago and explains her reasoning in using the 'version' of history she chose. It's truly a splendid book that will delight the reader all the way through!

It has been a very long time since I have read a book for just pure pleasure. I was told about this book by an instructor of English the bible as literature. When I had first bought it I thought that it would be just another book to read for the course, but once I started reading it, I found myself not wanting to but it down until I had completed it. I am not one to get carried away by a book, but this one left me wanting more.

Morgan-Cole has written an impressively in-depth, complex,and compeling story in this retelling of the Biblical story of Queen Esther. It is obviously well-researched, and enjoyably well-written. It is a book I will read again!

In 'Esther: A Story of Courage' Morgan-Cole has written a complex and compelling story rich with the history and culture of the great Persian empire. Into the intrigues of palace and harem life is woven the story of a young woman's search for her own sense of identity and purpose. Morgan-Cole's portrayal of Esther is by turns heartbreaking, suspenseful, and hopeful. This is not the 'Cinderella' version.

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