This is the story of Judah called Maccabaeus in the Old Testament told through his and his wife’s points of view. This is the story of the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem that is the basis of the celebration of Hanukkah. Like all good researchers, Angela Hunt did not include anything that was not in the original account so the legendary story of the oil for the Hanukkah lights lasting 8 days was not included since it is not scriptural but comes from another historical document. It is no less compelling for having this part not included. I love Biblical historical fiction and this is one of the best I’ve read. Ms. Hunt’s meticulous research brings the time and the setting to life and really gives some background to the story told in the Bible. Although some of the characters such as Leah, Judah’s wife, were not actually people mentioned in the Bible and were invented by the author, the story still remains true to the facts. We don’t know who his wife actually was, but it is very likely that he had one.
This book kept me glued to it from the moment I read the first page. I will confess that the name Angela Hunt on the front cover was the first selling point because I’m fairly certain I’ve not missed anything written by Angela Hunt, but this one may well be her masterpiece. The next one probably will be too though since she just keeps getting better as she goes along!
I can’t say enough about this book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. If it doesn’t win some literary award it’s because enough people didn’t know to read it. I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a review, but most assuredly I would have purchased it if it hadn’t been offered to me.
