The Bronze Bow
by Elizabeth George Speare
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Book Reviews of The Bronze Bow
Book Review: "FOR GOD'S VICTORY"
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a serious story with a gripping plot about brutality in ancient Palestine. I feel this book is really more for adults that for children because the protagonist is already 18 at the outset, doing a man's job (blacksmith/bandit). The themes of hatred and revenge are adult as well. We read of the espionage adventures of four Hebrew teens, struggling to maintain their Jewish heritage and national identity in the face of ruthless Roman occupation. Scholars are awaiting the Messiah; while hotheads, called Zealots, are working covertly to forment insurrection and gather followers to ultimately challenge the military might of their oppressors. Young Daniel is particularly adamant in his passion to strike back, since he witnessed the crucifixion of his own father. He has vowed to dedicate his life to the violent removal of Romans soldiers from his homeland. Gradually, however, he is drawn to a different outlook on life, from a Nazarene carpenter, whom he hears speak at a synagogue and later by the seaside. Daniel is torn between philosophies of peace and violence, for Jesus also proclaims the coming of the Kingdom--which to Daniel means: the overthrow of Rome. Invite the enemy into his home?--Never!
Very serious with good plotting and plenty of action and dialogue. Includes some Old and New Testament references. What is strong enough to conquer Hatred? Will Daniel ever agree to coexist in peace with the despised Romans? An excellent read any time of year, but particularly from Lent to Pentecost. No Crucifixion or Resurrection scenes, but there is plenty of blood and gore. The book stresses the internal battle and mental anguish of the young heroes, as they strive to serve their country and develop their social conscience. This book should not offend Jews or Christians.
Book Review: Excellent read for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a superlative fiction book. Just great. Set in Galilee in the time of Jesus, this is the story of a young Jewish rebel who is won over to the gentle teachings of Jesus. It is not a preachy religious book, however. Daniel, the main character in this story, is picture of what happens when hate takes over your life. He is so full of hatred about the Roman occupation and the oppression of his people that he is blinded to the injustice that his original leader, Rosh, participates in, and the consequences of his absence from his family. He must learn what the responsibilities are and the nature of true leadership while he comes of age.
I would recommend this primarily to young men, but young women will enjoy the strong female characters as well. Daniel and Joel will be identified with by young men who read this book. Their spirit and passion are attractive. Every man wants to have a cause so big they can die for it. Though some aspects of the story are a bit predictable they are not melodramatic, but rather heartfelt. Speare does not dip deep into pathos.
Quotes:
"Daniel bristled. He could not make this girl out. Was she for him or against him?" (79).
"He had taken for granted that Leah had lost her wits on the terrible night of her childhood. Was he any better, he thought now with shame, than the neighbors who would have tied her with ropes?" (129)
"Strong arms and muscles were easy to find. A fiery spirit was not so common" (137).
"With irritation he saw that the water jar was empty and that he would have to stand in line at the well with the snickering women. He bent and picked up the jar, and the bars of his cage slid into place around him" (158).
Book Review: An Adventure In Galilee
Summary: 4 Stars
The Bronze Bow is a historical fiction book by Elizabeth George Speare. The Bronze Bow is about Daniel, a young man who lives in Galilee and despises the Romans; he would like nothing better than his sword to taste the blood of one. When Daniel is a boy he runs away and joins a group of outlaws who have no other purpose then to rise up against the Romans and destroy them. While Daniel is in the camps headquarters on the mountains he sees an old friend of his, Joel with his sister, Malthace, but wishes he hadn't because it made him think of why he ran away from home. Weeks later Daniel decided that he wanted to word recruiting members for Rosh (the outlaws leader) so he can go in the city and see his friends, while continuing helping in the fight against the Romans. While in the city Daniel becomes great friends with Joel, forms a band of members to work for Rosh, takes up the bronze bow as his symbol and even meets Jesus. Daniel keeps saying to himself, "He trains my hands for war, so I can bend a bow of bronze." Soon Daniel feels so much anger and hate for the Romans that he gets counseling from Jesus who teaches him that, "Only love not strength can bend the bow of bronze."
I think the moral of this book is that we cannot repay love with hate we must repay love with love; we cannot hold a grudge. This book would appeal to both women and men as it has important characters of both genders. If you like faced paced, books with a lot of adventures this is the book for you, however, if you enjoy only slow paced romance novels then you probably shouldn't ask to read this book. I think this is an excellent book suitable for any age, which I give two thumbs up.
Book Review: The Bronze Bow (kCs)
Summary: 5 Stars
What would you do if your parents were killed by Romans? Would you join a band of outlaws, and leave your old, weak, grandmother and demon-possessed sister? This is Daniel's decision in the book The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare.
Daniel bar Jamin vows to avenge his father's death by joining a band of outlaws planning to fight the Romans. He has held a grudge for them since they invaded his country. Daniel's sister is troubled, and isn't able to take care of her grandmother. When Daniel receives news that his grandmother is dying, he returns to the village of Ketzah. He stays there a while, and hears a man named Jesus speak. Daniel becomes guilty, and regrets that he ever left his sister. He stays in his friend's, Simon's, house.
Daniel forms a group of boys to join Rosh, the leader of the outlaws' band. He finds that friendship is more important than death. Daniel starts to listen to Jesus more and more. He tells his sister, Leah, about the miracles Jesus did and the stories he told. Daniel realizes that his choice of joining the outlaws. Maybe hate isn't the way to solve problems. Maybe love is the only way to conquer hate...
In The Bronze Bow, you will learn about friendship, love, faith, and hatred. Speare has a very descriptive way of writing. This book was very good, and was written from a Christian perspective. We like how Speare writes. She makes you want to finish the book all in one day! We would recommend this book to people ages 10 and up, because of the vocabulary. We would also recommend this book to people who tend to hold grudges.
Book Review: A good book for young readers, with a solid message about forgiveness that is only moderately preachy
Summary: 4 Stars
I think I read this for a class in junior high, before I was a Christian, and I didn't really catch that it was about Jesus. When I found it for almost nothing in a used book store almost twenty years later, I bought it for nostalgia, and I have been pleasantly surprised. This is not exactly classic literature. The book, a story of a young man desperate for Israel's freedom at the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, is aimed at a young adult audience, and the dialogue is awkward and direct as a result. The main character, Daniel, has a deep hatred of the Romans with an understandable origin but somewhat.. conveniently timed expressions. Also, the physically imposing and sympathetic but internally blank slave reflects more about the author's perspective before the Civil Rights Movement had really blossomed than about the carefully chosen details of the historical setting of the action in this book. Still, this book has a surprising amount of subtlety, as characters go about their daily lives interacting with images that a Christian will recognize from Jesus' parables, like a casual mention that a farmer is separating wheat from chaff, and I didn't find them obnoxious when I was a non-Christian. I recommend this book for young readers. The story is compelling enough, and while I think it's a little preachy now, I didn't complain as a kid, so both Christians and non-Christians should be able to get something out of the action scenes and the powerful message of forgiveness and peace.