The Shadow Women

This is a book based on the views of the key women in Moses' life. It is written very much as how a diary would be written, with each woman writing her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on various circumstances. The 1st part of the book is focused on Moses' Egyptian mother, Merytamon. While another reviewer stated that this book was slow I found that only to be true during Merytamon's chapters. However, the author filled this portion of the book with many details of the Egyptians' medical procedures, customs, gods, and culture. It was very eye opening and educational. I had no idea that Pharaohs typically married their sisters and daughters in order to preserve the throne. They were very superstitious people, very pre-occupied with death. The author did extensive research on the ancient Egyptians and her resources are listed in the back of the book. Zipporah, Moses' wife, wrote her perspective of what living was like out in the dessert in a pagan culture. She seemed to be a very faithful woman towards her roles in life. Her meeting Moses, spending time with him, and ultimately marrying him was wonderful to read. Miryam, Moses' sister, was most interesting. She is portrayed as a strong-willed, prideful, and a somewhat controlling older sister. Her life was filled with resentment and bitterness towards her lot in life. She was self-righteousness and judgmental toward the women in the camp who were not Hebrews (i.e. Zipporah). It was very interesting how God broke her pride and led her toward humility, healing and reconciliation. Although this is a fictional book, the author did use scripture as her base. She has a Q & A section in the back addressing questions. This isn't your typical historical fiction romance from Angela Hunt, but it is worth reading, especially since it helps to capture what it would have been like living in the times of Moses.

I loved this book. My friends are asking to borrow it and I dont want to give it up because I want to read it again. I am going to buy another copy to give away. I learned alot about myself through the charactors and it touched me deeply. Even if you dont learn anything, it is a great story.

Forget about Moses. His story has been told and retold. But the story of the enslavement and salvation of the Israelites from Egypt has never been told like this. "Mists of Avalon" is brought to mind by this book. We see the familiar tale told this time through the eyes of the women who lived this story. The story is told by the Princess of Egypt whose barrenness terrified her until she found salvation in a Hebrew child, by Miriam whose enforced role as the protector of her family leads her to bitter self revelation and by Zipphorah whose love of a strange refugee from Egypt place this desert girl center stage in a drama written by a God she does not understand.Marion Zimmer Bradley couldn't have done this saga better. Each woman's voice is distinctive and each character fully fleshed and developed. If you miss this book, you will miss a real gem.

Hebrew slave baby, prince of Egypt, wandering shepherd, Israelite leader, friend of God-Moses is certainly one of the most complex, intriguing characters in the Judeo-Christian faith. In this imaginative epic, his story is told by three extraordinary women who inhabited the shadows of his life. There are Merytamon, the Egyptian princess who rescues Moses from the bulrushes and her father's dreadful edict and perpetuates a lie that will haunt her life; Miryam, who's never quite able to relinquish her big-sister role; and Zipporah, Moses' Midianite wife, who struggles to understand the God Who has first claim on her husband's life. Together they give us a unique portrait of Moses as son, brother, husband, and man.Hunt's meticulous research and superb storytelling have created a masterpiece. This poignant story breathes life into the historical figure of Moses. It's also a vivid portrayal of a holy God Who is always just, but seldom safe.-Kristine Wilson

Most of us know the story of Moses through movies like The Ten Commandments and Prince of Egypt. The Shadow Women gives you a new way to see the story: through the eyes of the women who loved him. From the Egyptian princess who adopted him, to the Canaanite woman he married, and his sister, Miryam, you'll see the story in a whole new way.Angela Elwell Hunt expertly weaves together Biblical fact and thorough research into a compelling tapestry. Nuggets of information mined through her research illuminate puzzling parts of the Biblical account and give the story freshness.You won't be disappointed whether you approach The Shadow Women as inspiration or entertainment. You'll find richly detailed settings, intriguing characters, and storytelling at its best. The Shadow Women is a book you can come back to again and again, gleaning fresh insight and inspiration each time.