Yochi Brandes

I received this book as a early reviewer in 2018. I read it now as part of reading Israeli literature. Yochi Brandes is the female author, born in 1959 in Haifa to a family of Hassidic rabbis. Brandes taught Bible and Judaism for many years. She is the author of novels and essays on biblical women-all of them best-sellers in Israel. This story is about the time period about the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem. It is historical and provides stories of Judaism and Christianity through the eyes of Rachel, wife of Rabbi Akiva and prophetess. The rebellion of Bar Kokhba Revolt was a real event in history and uses the sages and Torah discussion to this revolt. I found it interesting to read this book where the study and debate of Torah was more important than a person's responsibility to wife and children and more important than the relationship with the God of the Torah. It also explains how the Jewish people who believed in Jesus as Messiah were eventually excluded from the the other Hebrews and became Christians. I especially appreciated this part of the story.… (más)

The Secret Book of Kings is a compelling historical fiction of the Jewish tribes in the bible. Not being particularly religious nor Jewish I was looking forward to enhancing my knowledge of reading this book yet kept in mind that it is a fictional book. The book is about the descendants of Saul and is written in three parts, The soldier, the princess, and the king, I like when an author writes this way, the sections are each different but clearly connected. I liked that lesser known characters from the bible are given attention, I especially loved Princess Michal and the fact that she is portrayed as strong and intelligent. I found the book to have a good plot, was fascinating yet at times a bit difficult to get into. I find myself thinking of it after finishing it, who doesn't love a thought provoking book? The book is well written and if you enjoy historical fiction, I would recommend reading this one.… (más)

I am atheist but enjoy reading about the world's religions. Go figure. The synopsis for The Orchard intrigued me as I have some knowledge but not a lot about Judaism. That was my downfall with this book. I feel you need to know a bit more to truly appreciate it. I will admit to a certain confusion in trying to keep track of the players as I was not well versed in who was who. Yes, there are appendices but it takes away from the reading experience to have to keep looking up who is who.

It is though, a very well translated book. The prose is easy to read and the story is fascinating when not having to stop to sort things out.… (más)

This spellbinding historical novel by celebrated Israeli author Yochi Brandes tells the story of the venerated yet enigmatic Rabbi Akiva, placing him in the context of his contemporaries, the Sages of Jewish tradition and of early Christianity. Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Ishmael, Rabban Gamaliel, Paul of Tarsus, and many others become flesh and blood in this stunning interweaving of biblical and Talmudic lore into a page-turning read.
"The Orchard mines ancient Jewish sources to tell the story of a singular period in the history of our people through the all-too-rare female point of view."… (más)