Tamar [Hardcover]

Ann Chamberlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1994

Evoking the world of ancient Israel, an epic of love and war follows the adventures of Tamar, a proud woman and goddess-worshipping outcast, who becomes part of the harem of the great King David.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Biblical history is brought vividly to life in Chamberlin's second novel (after The Virgin and the Tower ), a story of King David's court told from a woman's point of view. Tamar comes to Jerusalem as a child when her mother, Maacah, marries David. Maacah was a high priestess of the Great Goddess in the kingdom of Geshur, and Tamar, who possesses prophetic powers, was to be her successor; now they find themselves among people who worship one God and forbid the rituals of their old faith. Tamar continues to practice the rites demanded of her by the Goddess, whose loving and generous spirit is a far cry from the masculine and avenging God of Jerusalem. She also writes beautiful hymns of praise that Chamberlin suggests may well be the psalms now attributed to David. Maacah gives birth to Absalom, whom Tamar foresees will pose a threat to David's kingdom, but his parents adore the boy, and his half-sister can do nothing to prevent the tragedies she knows will befall them. Chamberlin's alternate version of the familiar Old Testament tale is thought-provoking and engrossing. The characters--historical and fictional alike--are believable, as are descriptions of everyday life in biblical times.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Chamberlin imaginatively re-creates the politics of King David's empire, life in an ancient harem, and the private lives of nobles of the Judahite court. The author presents a fictional autobiography of the king's stepdaughter, princess of Judah and Geshur and highpriestess of the goddess. The thrust of the novel is the religious conflict between the patriarchal faith of Judah and the goddess cult of many of the peoples David conquered. It is in character for Tamar to be a feminist of sorts--supporting goddess against god and the mysteries of women against men. Readers, however, may feel that her strong feminism reflects preoccupations of our own times rather than of David's reign. Others may be upset that this novel is not true to a literal reading of the Bible. These are minor complaints, however; this well-researched, interesting, and often exciting novel is recommended for general fiction collections. -- James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, Va.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 463 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312856490
• ISBN-13: 978-0312856496
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,586,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tamar, September 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Tamar (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was incredibly detailed and wonderfully researched. Chamberlin gives a vivid description of how religion and politics might have mixed, and clashed, in Biblical times. She also gives a human side to the more earthy parts of matriarchal religions. Although we can only reconstruct part of what might have happened during such rites, from existing frangments of tablets found in the region, Chamberlin does a great job of filling in the blanks. Kudos to her for also tackling the intriguing issue of trance-based Goddess rites in the Middle East (readers might be more familiar with the stories of the Priestess-Oracles at Delphi, but the practice was far more widespread).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than Sofia, November 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tamar (Mass Market Paperback)

In contrast to Sofia, I could relate to and sympathize with the characters of this story. Also unlike Sofia, Tamar was not shallow and the plot had a clear direction. I will give Ann Chamberlin another chance with "The Sultan's Daughter"

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!!, December 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tamar (Mass Market Paperback)

"Tamar" is a great read for anyone interested in ancient Biblical history and/or goddess worship. Chamberlin expertly weaves an amazing amount of detail into her descriptions of ancient Hebron, Jerusalem and other Biblical places of importance. A beautifully written story!!