Delilah

I knew so little about Samson and Delilah prior to reading this REINVENTION (as one reviewer put it) of their story in the Bible. Only that Delilah cut his long hair (traditionally considerd to be the source of his uncommon strength). The story as Edghill tells it, pulled me into its depths almost immediately and I found it impossible to put down till I had read the last page, including acknowledgements! Spellbinding indeed, as another reviewer has put it. The story is so brief in the Bible that I do not find Edghill's masterful, colorful, suspenseful narrative offensive in the least. I was hungry for it. While there certainly was less bold verbiage than I would have preferred about Yaweh and His part in the story, nevertheless, I got it. I thoroughly enjoy reading Bible-based historical stories (as well as Swindoll's profiles in characters... David, my favorite, Paul and Joseph, my second favorites... Job and Moses, which I have in a pile of books to read). I, too, am looking forward to both Edghill's and Swindoll's Esther. I do not agree with other reviewers that few reviews means it's not a good read. It's not light vacation reading on the beach by any means... and the historical and cultural detail requires concentration. And maybe the audience who cares about Samson and Delilah is small? I don't know, but as an absolutely voracious reader, I can tell you that this is a magnificent story, well told.

This is a delightful look into a period of history not well covered by historical fiction writers. The story of Samson and Delilah is widely known, yet Edghill puts a new twist on the tale, re-imagining life for one of the most famous women in the Bible. The story alternates between different POVs, and I found that I was drawn to Delilah's words the most. The book is rich with scenery and Edghill's language is incredibly evocative. Well worth the read.

This novel is not a re-telling of the story of Samson, but a complete overhaul of the familiar story - a re-imagining if you will. The bible doesn't tell us much about Samson's wife, or even Delilah (except that she was beautiful, Samson's love, of the Valley of Sorek and one heck of a nag), so a lot is left to the imagination. Even though she is barely mentioned in the bible, Delilah is almost synonymous with the ultimate vixen but in this book she is re-imagined as a priestess who loves to dance. Samson, the biblical superman, is re-imagined as a kind hearted man whose feats are only attributed to him by the Israelites, yet he wants no part in their war or their cause. Along the way we are introduced to several others fascinating characters Alyah - Delilah's best friend and "heart sister and polar opposite in looks, as well as Orev - Samson's best friend, companion and Harper extraordinaire. The author, just like the bible, plays a lot with names and their meanings - Delilah - the dark-as-night haired beauty, Samson - Son of the Sun, Orev - the crow (messenger of death) and Alyah - which in Hebrew means "rising" and it seemed fitting in the story the author tells. (Note: that is how I chose to interpret the names.) The book is broken up into parts which correspond, and bear the title, of Delilah's stages in becoming a Priestess (New Moon, Rising Moon, Full Moon etc.) since that is a big part of the story, as well as the social and political structure of the culture (I don't know if they were accurate, but nonetheless fascinating). There are many underlying themes in the book of cultural, class and personal clashes which I thought were very clever. I have enjoyed this book very much - it is a fantastical re-imagining of a familiar story. Once you get through the first several pages the story becomes engrossing and the author weaves the story in a clear manner, even though there are many events which take place. This is a big story, love and love lost, betrayal and faith, friendship, greed, honor and cunning. The book is written in the historical-fiction style of one chapter told from a perspective of one characters (Delilah, Samson, Alyah, etc.) even though some of the chapters about Samson are told through the eyes of Orev. If you are not familiar with the biblical story of Samson, I recommend reading it before you read this book just to be familiar with the references the author makes, and then you'll be the Judge (pun intended).

Alright, move over The Red Tent. Make room on the shelf for Delilah because this will be a novel I will read again and again. I have always been a fan of historical Biblical fiction and India Edghill has woven together a masterpiece filled with texture, color, smells and sounds. You feel as if you have suddenly been transported to Canaan courtesy of a master storyteller. Delilah is no longer a one dimensional seductress but a living, breathing, three dimensional woman whose poor choices changed the course of history. Rating: 9/10 Plot: 8/10 Characters: 9.5/10 Ending: 9/10 Enjoyment: 9/10 Cover: 9/10 Keleigh Crigler Hadley author of YA Christian fiction - Preacher's Kids: Secrets & Salvation