The Garden of Ruth

The Garden of Ruth enhances the biblical story of Ruth and her descendants. Eva Etzioni-Halevy's style is to embellish the biblical story by weaving a story arround the "missing links" and unanswered questions. Her success in blurring the lines is so effective that at times I found it hard to distinguish between what was biblical accuracy and what was indeed fictional. The story line, the mystery and intrigue, and the excellent character development all contributed to my enjoyment of the book.

Eva Etzioni-Halevy's 'The GARDEN of RUTH' 'The "Garden of Ruth," as with Eva Etzioni-Halevy's other writings, is a combination of the author's scholarship and her ability to see the sociological, psychological, and spiritual essence of a time and place. The reader steps right into the mind and life of Ruth as Eva brings her Biblical character into three-dimension through the senses enmeshed with the flavor of the ancient vernacular. Through Eva's mind's eye and writing, we begin living with Ruth, hearing her voice, moving through her days as a woman in Biblical times, and meanwhile, seeing into facets of the continuing history of Judiasm. This is so well done in the book that we move right into the story. I believe that people from all cultures can easily feel and comprehend Biblical times as they appeared thousands of years ago. I love the way Eva weaves mystery and intrigue into each chapter. We 'stay tuned' to find out what happened or will happen next. Dr. Eva Etizioni-Halevy has the gift of insight which she shares with the world through her knowledge and writing. I greatly appreciate her work. Linda Toborowsky / Festival of the Arts

This is one of the best and most un-put-downable books I've read in a long time. In fact, I was enjoying reading it so much that I didn't want it to end! The book transports the reader to biblical times and to the lives of its two main characters: Osnath and Ruth. Osnath is a product of the author's imagination while Ruth is the famous biblical character who is the first convert to Judaism in Jewish history. Through the story of Osnath, the author reveals her interpretation of the behind-the-scenes story of Ruth's life. Like the author's first book, the Song of Hannah, which I also found captivating, the Garden of Ruth had me in suspense from the first page wondering where it would lead and what would happen. It is a story about women in biblical times who were, after all, just like us in so many ways. I'd really recommend this.

no sooner had i finished THE SONG OF HANNAH in two days, but i picked up THE GARDEN OF RUTH immediately. i simply adored both books. Ruth was fabulous. the story line, the intrigue, and the character development were all first class. i simply could not put it down, once i'd started. as in Hannah, Eva etzioni keeps you thinking and wondering until the very end. when it does end, you will be sorry that her 3rd book isn't yet out. (she says it will be out next march--stay tuned!) these characters come alive, with all of the emotions, foibles and weaknesses that exist in each of us. Eva etzioni is a master story teller, and i would run, not walk, to get this second of her two books...and enjoy every minute of your read! vicki in seattle

In Ramah, Uncle Samuel the prophet sends his intelligent fifteen year old niece Osnath to Bethlehem to uncover the truth inside of the sweetly wrapped tale of the lass' ancestor Ruth the Moabite, who married Boaz after another male in-law rejected her. Samuel specifically wants her to name the unnamed man who refused to wed Ruth. Osnath stays with her relatives of the clan of Jesse where he wants her to read the documents in the scroll room to uncover the identity of the anonymous lover. However, everyone in the clan of Jesse wants her to drop her research; especially Jesse's oldest son, Eliab diligently guards the scroll room from her. He tries to distract the teen through seduction, even while she sleeps with his charming youngest brother David the shepherd. Part One follows Osnath "In the Footsteps of Ruth" while Part Two focuses on the "Tale of Ruth" from the first hand perspective of Ruth. Readers will enjoy both sections that enable the comparison of the biblical legendary Ruth and her generation to that of her great-grandchildren as well as a fresh look at her saga. THE GARDEN OF RUTH is a delightful explicit look at the plight of women in ancient times. Harriet Klausner