" A great read ... Elisha is a very sympathetic figure and for the most part the story is even handed, I think, though I was very troubled by the ending. I found his conflict to be eloquently expressed and extremely relatable. While I found the story to be mostly accurate I was irked by some of the modernizations and places where he clearly took liverties for the sake of fiction - Steinberg's prerogative, of course, but still a little unnerving. Did the tannaim really hang out as couples like something out of a Teaneck sitcom? Would Bruriah and R' Meir really flirt in front of guests, let alone R' Meir's teacher? Was the depiction of R' Meir and Elisha's interaction really so realistic, it seemed at times as though R' Meir was the teacher ... and other things detracted from my enjoyment, but ultimately it held my attention and presented an issue that is just as relevant today, assuming the author was being authentic there as well (and I assume he was) which was both chilling and comforting. It's on reserve for you, Z! "
— marg, 1/30/2014