I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Just Read. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
The Scroll by Miriam Feinberg Vamosh Published by Toby Press LLC on November 2016
Genres: History, Jewish, Judaism, Religion, Sacred Writings
Pages: 354
Source: Just Read
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A sensational but little known archaeological find, the divorce document of a woman named Miriam issued at the desert fortress of Masada is the basis for this new historical page turner. Beginning with a fateful decision by Miriam, a strong-willed survivor on Masada's final, horrific day, the tale spans three generations of her descendants. This saga extends from the depths of her despair on a barren desert plateau to the glittering city of Alexandria where Miriam sought love and a future, and back to the Holy Land, where, amid the clashing cultures at Beit Guvrin, the storied city of Zippori and, finally, at the emerald oasis of Ein Gedi, the past continues to stalk her, threatening to devour her children. The Scroll is an adventure-rich voyage through the ancient customs and beliefs of Judaism and early Christianity and the challenges both faced in a hostile world.
I was intrigued by this book when it came across my radar. I have enjoyed ancient history and Biblical history. While this book isn’t technically Biblical it is ancient with roots if Biblical times. I was completely OK with all of that. However, I struggled with this book. Perhaps, because I was reading it when I had so much else fall unexpected on my plate. Perhaps, because I was limited to reading it on my computer which limited the time I had available to actually read it. There are a lot of perhaps, but I’ll share a few of my struggles with you and also some of what I loved.
Here’s the thing. The timeline and time jumps in this book were awkward at best and difficult to follow. I had a difficult time connecting with the people in this book. I’m sure that is somewhat, but not entirely, related to the overfull plate and the lack of consistent reading time. Here’s the thing, I feel like there was so much information dumping into the narrative that I didn’t get the heart of the people. I got their struggle, I got their journey, I got their history and even their future but I didn’t get them. I feel more like I read a souped up text book than a book about real living and breathing people. I gained knowledge but I didn’t gain people. I grew to appreciate Vamosh’s love for the ancient times of the Jewish faith but I feel like that overshadowed the characters she was trying to create.
That being said I learned a lot, and grew interested enough in the times of this book, to do a little digging of my own. I was completely unaware of the scroll that was found that spun into this book. Having never even heard of Masada prior to this book I am interested in this historical place and event. The idea of the caves and how often we find people living in them throughout the book was interested. I’m invested enough now to want to know who the final caves were and the future Rebecca’s baby, I don’t even know her name! While this book was a tossed salad for me there is definitely an audience out there for it. I may very well be that future audience when I have more time to devote to reading on the computer and am approaching it with the mindset that it’s not so much a novel as a fictional text.
About Miriam Feinberg Vamosh
I was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and have lived in Israel since 1970. My love affair with the Bible and ancient sources, which led to my books and articles, deepened over my many years as a tour educator – and thus, every visitor who ever asked me a question has earned my gratitude. My interest in the New Testament began thanks to the abiding respect for people of other faiths and cultures I learned in my parents’ home, and the homes of my older brother and sister. That respect deepened thanks to the tutelage of devoted teachers during a year of high school at what is now the Anglican International School in Jerusalem. Such inspirations encouraged and enabled me to specialize in weaving together Jewish literary sources, traditions and beliefs with the origins of Christianity, and teach about them on-site throughout Israel.
My own writing, in addition to translating and editing the works of scholars about events that took place millennia ago, has been complemented over the past decade by my work for the news desk of a critical, cutting-edge newspaper, Haaretz. The combination is part and parcel of the complexities that make life in Israel a never-ending search for meaning.
I am married to Arik, and am the mother of two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law. And yes, in between writing and guiding I find plenty of time for doting grandmothering of their growing families. I live in Har Adar, northwest of Jerusalem, in a “biblical triangle” that includes Kiriath Jearim (Josh. 9:17), Chephirah (Josh. 9:17) and Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).
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