|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 4 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
MUST READ! Apr 27, 2006
By NikoDako
"Professor of Literature"
"David and Bath-Sheba" is a book written simply and without complications, where the author has remained faithful to the story, just as it has been given in the Bible.
The way this story has been considered, which means, how the facts have been interpreted, what tools have been used to engrave the personages, what philosophy has been presented, and what artistic linguistic effects have been used to fully provide this story: all this makes me approve that this lively material is original, deep, touching, and here and there with wonderful poetic details and moments.
The conflict of this novel is very moving and deep. It goes beyond the borders of a common "love affair", or a banal adultery. In this conflict there is something from eternity, something from the human moral that goes beyond the conflict of a family, even a nation, why not of an era. The philosophy of the book is based on four pillars, which have (and also gain) undeniable and universal values like: love (with its power, zigzags, ego, but also its greatness, triumph, and beauty) sin, punishment and forgiveness. These four pillars of human life have on the background an eternal, omnipresent, and major force: the force of God. This concept: God with His power has been given in a thorough and comprehensive way. God in this book isn't an omnipotent conductor, who with a stick in his hand directs arbitrarily humanity from heaven. God in this book is the incarnated Law of Life, that Law which sustains, regulates and gives harmony to the world, universe, human life, everything. Everything must submit to this Law, even a king. Before this force, even a king, is powerless and must obey. This is so clear especially when David cries out: "Have mercy on me o, Lord!"
In continuity of this concept of God, the book brings the idea that the judge and the universal justice are not against man and human life, but on the contrary. They are their basis and their protectors, that's why they forgive the sin, this unavoidable act that eats human creatures, they forgive for life's sake, love's sake, human world, continuity of life.
The characters in this book are given in a complete way, each with his/her own world and drama. They are fully believable, and as you read you feel like you're seeing them alive.
So:
Saul - He's a contradicting type, a big but also small person at the same time.
David - He's the main character that is so real, with his ups and downs, with his big spirit, but also selfish regarding Bath-Sheba and Uriah, with his spiritual tortures, humanity and great goodness that he represents.
Bath-Sheba - She is born for love; with a rich heart, but broken in two (between David and Uriah); she's hungry to be not just a woman, but also a mother.
Azubah - she's one of the best sculpted personages. She's wise, trustworthy, and knowledgeable; she's the embodiment of mercy and hope.
Uriah - He's a committed warrior to the king and his people. His feelings of doubt are given so skillfully; he's a man of honor; he's worthy of Bath-Sheba.
Other points
The psychological analyses of the characters are very concise, touching, persuasive, realistic, and poetic. The atmosphere of Biblical times is written beautifully and intimately, with the morals of time, and primitivism of life. The sentences formulated in a biblical and religious way, are very genuine. They give exceptional values to this book. Not everyone, even a writer, can do it so authentically. The dialogs are concise, convincing, and adapted to each character.
Briefly said, this is a MUST READ!
A Wonderful Adaptation of David and Bath-Sheba Apr 12, 2006
By Bettie Corbin Tucker
The Biblical story of David and Bath-Sheba is well-known to me, but Aida Bode in this personalized adaptation brings it to life in a descriptive and unforgettable way. At first I was understandably cautious, wondering how anyone could hold the attention of readers by the retelling of this familiar story that appears in 2nd Samuel. Let me take the next paragraph to briefly introduce the characters and remind readers of the story line before I explain just how the author does this.
David, the chosen King of Israel, had remained in Jerusalem while his armies were fighting the enemy. While strolling the rooftop of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman bathing in a pool below-a woman whose name was Bath-Sheba. Though she was married to Uriah, a strong and trusted military leader, David summoned her to the palace, and she became pregnant with his child. Ultimately, after granting Uriah leave and trying unsuccessfully to get him to spend the night with his wife, he addressed a letter to General Joab, asking Uriah to deliver it to him personally. The letter contained instructions to have Uriah put David in the front line of battle, knowing that this order would result in his death. When the mourning time was past, David made Bath-Sheba his wife. But he would soon understand the consequences that individuals must face when they disobey God's laws. Though he was a king who had the love of God in his heart and many wives and riches, he gave in to temptation and committed adultery and murder. But could anything good result from David's transgressions? What was the path to forgiveness?
In this beautiful, expanded adaptation by Aida Bode, readers are given the opportunity to go beyond the facts and listen in on the thoughts of the various individuals. Aide begins with some touching scenes of a mother's pride in David, her young son. What mother could not equate to the feelings of love that are so vividly described by the woman who sees her child with her heart and spirit. Whether describing his curly hair, the way he moved his small body or even the act of breathing, one sees how she cherishes each day with her son. Through her spirit and soul, David understands the love of God; he sees his future in the desires of his mother.
David was spirited and courageous in his youth, possessing great faith in God. It was this faith that convinced King Saul to give him permission to go into the battlefield and fight Goliath, a Philistine who was a giant and seemingly undefeatable. David was victorious and delivered the giant using only a sling and five stones. A sling shot gave glory to the God whom he served and adored. Yes, David loved God and served Him...and eventually became the chosen King of Israel, fulfilling the promise that his mother had seen in her spirit for this beloved son. However, David had given in to passion, taking another man's wife and, for the first time, seemed to forget that man could not be redeemed by his own righteousness.
When David learned that Bath-Sheba was pregnant, his thoughts tell of his pain, his anguish, and his fears-fears that led him to take drastic action to save their lives since the law stated that if a man was found in bed with a married woman, they would both be killed. Because he couldn't face God, he didn't ask for His help but tried to solve the problem his way.
And what of Bath-Sheba? She loved her husband, but her king desired her. Readers feel her emotion as she speaks to her nanny, expressing her innermost thoughts and questions. Was this all her fault? Had she caused the king to sin and break the law? Was she responsible for David betraying God and for the pain in his heart from such betrayal? She had been unfaithful to her husband...their dreams and future plans were gone...the innocence of their youthful love a part of her past. She weeps with uncertainty, torn with conflict, a woman living in the past and present with two different loves. There is so much she doesn't understand...so much she feels and fears. She desperately loves this child that she conceived when the king summoned her to the palace. But what was her future? Then, suddenly widowed, she is forced to deal with the loss of her husband and her own guilt. She wants to give his life back to him...but she can't.
The author brilliantly conveys the humanness of David, Bath-Sheba, and Uriah in this real-life drama that depicts situations and battles that are similar to those we face in present times. We see the characters, not just as historical Biblical figures, but as people possessing unique strengths and weaknesses. There are Godly lessons to be learned about life, love, and the consequences of choices we make.
The talent and creativity of Aida Bode is evident throughout the pages of this book. She is an artist with words, painting vivid pictures in our minds and hearts. Though this adaptation of David and Bath-Sheba is a small book-fewer than eighty pages-it is delightful and unique in its presentation. It is this reviewer's hope that the author has plans for writing future books.
Bettie Corbin Tucker, former publisher and independent professional reviewer
I loved it! Nov 08, 2005
By Dona Peter
"Ophelia"
There is so much reality in this story, though it comes as an echo from thousands of years ago. There is the human fight, the good and evil within us, in which God is not the judge, but the rescuer, He's not the punisher, but the forgiver, He's not the one who sentences, but the one who delivers. This book has a way of captivating you and not letting go, till you've finished it. I enjoyed reading every letter.
An absolute read for all. Nov 08, 2005
By Paracelsus
"Zena"
Although not familiar to all, this beautiful story from the bible, "David and Bath Sheba", through the excellent language of Aida Bode, manages to touch one right in the heart.
Aida Bode's poetic writing is filled with sensitivity and feeling expression, and akin to the true understanding of the Holy Spirit, soothes the reader filling the heart with peace, fairness, and love. Through her luscious writing becomes a living breathing story and goes on to instigate the meeting place of our hearts and minds and one loses the sense of time and place and is left to feel love alone. Aida Bode is reminding us of the common denominator of all humans alike which is "love". Aida Bode's writing skills is a blessing to all who are spiritual regardless of their religion or even the non-religious spirituals, as love is fully grasped through her writings and heals the reader not only through vision and feeling the writer instigates but also propagates the spirit of human unity. Aida Bode is a gifted writer and has a natural talent allowing her expressions to grow in clarity and beauty.
|
| | |
|
|
