Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
by Ginger Garrett
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ginger GarrettEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-06-05
ISBN: 1576836517
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: NavPress
Book Reviews of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
Book Review: An intriguing retelling
Summary: 5 Stars
The book 'Chosen' by Ginger Garrett is a multi-layered retelling of the story of Esther. Esther is the enigmatic queen whose book in the Hebrew Bible holds the distinction of being the only one that never mentions God. Despite the absence of divine reference, it is an incredibly important story about the preservation and faithfulness of the people of Israel.
Garrett begins with a series of newspaper articles, which set a context for the 'discovery' of scrolls of personal diaries of Queen Esther, preserved in what is now Iran for nearly 2500 years. Interspersed in the primary text, the diaries of Esther, are side-bar comments, press releases, sermon extracts, and other pieces that relate both to the story of Esther, as well as relate the story of Esther to modern times.
Garrett explores the depths of the psychology of Esther, just a child when the events that would shape her life began, in a world vastly different from our own in many ways, but which is accessible in that those things which motivate men and women remain remarkably the same. Esther's story begins with her being outside the royal palaces, hearing of the parties that are taking place both for King Xerxes and Queen Vashti; Esther, not yet a teenager, experiences the same kind of angst that any young person wishing to be 'old enough' to do things experiences, and has her own crush on a newly bar-mitzvah'ed boy, Cyrus.
Things change rather quickly as Vashti's banishment is proclaimed, and the world turns upside down for Esther as she becomes one of the king's potential brides. Her situation with Cyrus gets thrown out of balance, and her cousin Mordecai gets increasingly involved in the palace and political intrigues of which Esther is only vaguely aware at first, but becomes more and more involved to ensure the safety of her family, her people, and herself.
The story is exciting and harrowing, following the biblical account as an outline, but adding personal details and the thoughts of Esther from a first-person point of view in the midst of the struggle against Haman, and finally in the death of Xerxes. The post-script leaves the story unresolved in many ways, as is the true history - we do not know what ultimately happens to Esther or Mordecai; of course, history not too distant from their time would see the fall of the Persian Empire under Alexander the Great, but the story of the glory of the empire would live on in the tale now enshrined in the Hebrew scriptures.
For those who like historical romance, or dramatised stories from history, or tales of the ancient world, this book is a very good read. Its diary format keeps the reader interested in ways that some narratives lack. I look forward to more of Garrett's writing.
Summary of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
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