Set in the magnificent culture of the Middle East more than four thousand years ago, Lilah is a rich and emotionally resonant story of faith, love, and courage.Living in exile, Lilah is in love with Antinoes, a Persian warrior. They have known each other since they were children, and Antinoes dearly wants to make Lilah his wife. Yet Lilah does not feel she can marry without the blessing of her brother, Ezra. She and Ezra are close, and Lilah knows her brother well—he does not want his sister to have a husband outside their faith. Ezra is a scholar of the laws of Moses, and Lilah believes it is her brother’s destiny to lead the Jewish people back to the Promised Land. While Antinoes pressures her to accept his proposal, Lilah realizes that before she can consider her own happiness, it is her duty to help her brother accomplish the seemingly impossible task that is before him.Putting herself in grave danger, and with the help of Antinoes, Lilah wins Ezra an audience with Artaxerxes II, the King of Kings, who grants permission to lead the exiles on their journey back to the Promised Land. After a hazardous trip across the desert, Lilah, Ezra, and the thousands who join them arrive in Jerusalem. But the hardship of rebuilding the Temple takes its toll, and the religious enthusiasm of some turns to extremism. Ezra, listening to the zealots, orders all non-Jewish wives and their children banished from Jerusalem. Lilah, whose love for Antinoes has never wavered, is horrified by this command. She knows she must now choose between her brother and her conscience, which tells her that the time has come to defy him.Lilah is a timeless story of one woman’s stand against intolerance; it will linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page has been turned.
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"I read this after reading the Red Tent (which I loved). Totally different author, but still fantastic stories about women mentioned in the bible. I enjoyed this trilogy as much, if not more, than the Red Tent. Fantastically written. "
— Becky (5 out of 5 stars)
“Halter ambitiously tackles portions of the complicated biblical book of Ezra…As in Sarah and Zipporah, there is plenty of highly charged sexuality and some imaginative storytelling.”
— Publishers Weekly“A fine novel…Halter brilliantly succeeds in showing how extremism twists and perverts the underlying, unifying messages of all religions. Add this one to your list of Red Tent read-alikes.”
— Booklist“The final installment of Halter’s bestselling trilogy of Biblical heroines, this book features his brightest star…Generous with period detail—tunics, oiled beards, and statues of Ahura Mazda—the clean, moving story neatly balances religious meditation and swift plot. Action-packed scripture.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Lilah, the third of Marek Halter's series of novels based on biblical women, tells the story of the sister of Ezra and her struggles. She is in love with a Persian, Antinoes. Her brother forbids her to marry him, as the law of Yahweh forbids it. Lilah respects and supports her brother and brings about his journey from Susa to Jerusalem to restore the temple and bring the Israelites back together. She leaves Antinoes behind and accompanies Ezra, providing him counsel and support. "
— Nancy, 1/31/2014" I came home from my last trip to the library with an armful of books based on Bible stories. I guess because it was close to Easter. This one was okay. I read the first book in the trilogy but I missed the second one. I don't think it mattered though; they're all about different women in the Old Testament. I didn't relate to Lilah very well and the ending left me outraged. I don't remember the lesser-known Old Testament stories very well, but did that really happen? I'm going to have to look it up. Anyway, the writing was a little weak. I wound up poring over the title page and publishing info to see if it had been translated from a different language. "
— JG, 1/13/2014" Not as good as Sarah "
— Christine, 12/27/2013" ....eh.... This book had the potential to be so much more. The struggle of the Children of Israel to reclaim their homeland is heart breaking. This story just didn't do it justice. I fine attempt, but just not quite there. "
— Becky, 12/7/2013" I liked it as an effort to make more real one of the bible stories, the story of Ezra and rebuilding the temple. A good effort to try to give a more understandable picture of how this might have been. "
— Marty, 11/3/2013" This series provides fictionalized accounts of the lives of Biblical women, which tend to contain a fair amount of poetic license; however, this author takes some liberties with the characters that aren't necessary, the focus on sexuality for instance. "
— Rachel, 10/18/2013" interesting but not great/ quick read "
— Karen, 10/15/2013" The last of the trilogy and okay. The author has done such a good job in all three of these books, you must read this one also. "
— Debbie, 10/14/2013" Not for those who like to see a happy ending. "
— Blaise, 10/4/2013" Was the weakest of the Canaan Trilogy. Interesting story which is why I gave it 3 stars, but the characters lacked dimension and weren't very compelling. This book failed to suck me in the way Sarah and Zipporah did. "
— Julie, 7/17/2013" Story of Lilah, sister of Ezra from the Bible. I did not like it nearly as much as "Sarah" or "Zipporah" "
— Julie, 7/12/2013" 3rd book of the trilogy - enjoyed reading about the setting of Bible times - what they may have eaten or worn. story line ok, the end was disturbing enough for me to go back and read the book of ezra and more. "
— Linda, 4/7/2013" Didn't like this one. "
— Grace, 3/28/2013" I was very disappointed in the third book of Marek Halter's trilogy. I was not engaged in the character and her story nor did I feel that it was a complete story; no resolution at the end; blah. I really enjoyed the first two and was so looking forward to this one - what a let down. "
— Janice, 12/27/2012" Didn't finish the book......not what I thought it was going to be...basically a love story.... "
— Susana, 11/7/2012" Love this author, but just a terrible way to end the book. Seemed rushed. "
— Hannah, 7/28/2012" So far, an enjoyable book for entertainment purposes. :) I always like the strong female characters Halter creates, without largely compromising the believability of the situation. "
— Julie, 6/14/2012" I read this after reading the Red Tent (which I loved). Totally different author, but still fantastic stories about women mentioned in the bible. I enjoyed this trilogy as much, if not more, than the Red Tent. Fantastically written. "
— Becky, 1/28/2012" The fact that it was an easy read made up for the fact that it really wasn't much of anything. "
— Nikki, 1/12/2012" Not my favorite book by this author. The ending is just horrible, And what happens to the love of her life/????? Really??? that is it??? I dont buy it. "
— Laura, 11/16/2011" This book isn't quite as involved as the first two in the Canaan Trilogies but you still get sucked in. "
— Stephanie, 10/31/2011" Overall I enjoy the book. However I was really disappointed on Ezra's harshness toward women and children towards the end. Lilah was a beautiful woman who in my opinion deserved better. "
— Janene, 10/2/2011" My least favorite of the triology. "
— Diane, 9/17/2011" My least favorite in the Canaan trilogy... but had to read all three. Good read... found myself not liking Ezra in this interpretation. "
— Charisa, 9/2/2011" Good love story in ancient Bible times. A bit graphic. "
— Cindy, 7/11/2011" Just ok, I wasn't too impressed. Interesting setting was really the only redeeming feature. "
— Ellen, 4/12/2011" Not as good, but still moving. "
— Helen, 3/25/2011" It's the final book of Canaan trilogy. A woman of faith & courage set in the culture of the Middle East thousands of years ago. "
— Paula, 12/14/2010" Read by Bernadette Dunne. Think it was mostly fiction and slow moving. "
— Bobbie, 12/3/2010" It's the final book of Canaan trilogy. A woman of faith & courage set in the culture of the Middle East thousands of years ago. "
— Paula, 8/25/2010" I liked it as an effort to make more real one of the bible stories, the story of Ezra and rebuilding the temple. A good effort to try to give a more understandable picture of how this might have been. "
— Marty, 4/5/2010" Interesting book. this author does a nice job creating historical fiction accounts of strong Jewish woman from the bible. She has several other books as well. "
— Audrey, 12/5/2009" This was a very interesting book. I had a hard time getting into it then the first two books, I think this was because I don't remember learing about Lilah and her brother Ezra. "
— Mary, 8/28/2009" Not my favorite book by this author. The ending is just horrible, And what happens to the love of her life/????? Really??? that is it??? I dont buy it. "
— Laura, 6/5/2009" Listened to this on a road trip to/from Vegas. <br/> <br/>The first half was GREAT. The second half was so utterly depressing that it would have been a four star book if not for the sad ending. It really left a damper on my mood! <br/> <br/>Still an enjoyable read (or listen in this case). "
— Natalie, 3/1/2009" This book isn't quite as involved as the first two in the Canaan Trilogies but you still get sucked in. "
— Stephanie, 2/25/2009" Just ok, I wasn't too impressed. Interesting setting was really the only redeeming feature. "
— Ellen, 2/19/2009" The fact that it was an easy read made up for the fact that it really wasn't much of anything. "
— Nikki, 2/13/2009" Lilah is portrayed as Ezra, the Prophet's sister. It was an interesting read to see what the culture was like at that time. The novel takes place over several years before Ezra leaves Susa and makes the journey to Babylon and finally to Jerusalem. "
— Summer, 2/3/2009Marek Halter is a French-Jewish writer and activist, known best for his historical novels, which have been translated into English, Polish, Hebrew, and many other languages.
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.