As an avid reader, I was very happy to receive for purpose of this review the book Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer from Peggy Consolver – Author.
I love reading great stories, especially those which bring history to life for me and for my kids. This book fits the bill. The story takes place during the last two years of the Israelites wandering in the desert before entering Canaan.
This IS a fictional book, because obviously one cannot go back in time and speak to, or live with the people from the time period being written about. It is however, based strongly on the aforementioned Biblical period, focusing on the lives of the Gibeonites and the Hebrews. Much of what is described in the story is documented in the Bible books of Joshua and Exodus.
As an author, Peggy Consolver was writing historical fiction about the ” Gibeonites of Joshua 9 and 10 from the point of view of a young shepherd boy and his family of potters. Struggling with describing the historical and geographical setting one day, I quipped to my husband, “If I really write this story, maybe I should go there.” So, she did!
Being able to work in the pottery tent at the dig, brought these ancient people to life for this author, and to write about the lives of these people with much less struggle! It is her wish to bring her reader closer to God, by writing about HIStory. That is what history ultimately is you know, it is HIS story.
This story focuses at the beginning on a young shepherd boy named Keshub, a thirteen year old Canaanite boy who is a descendant of Ham. As do boys from every era though, Keshub wishes for adventure, which he gets, but really, at too young of an age. Keshub’s family was made up of shepherds and potters, and the potter’s son’s spy on the Hebrews from the cliffs above Jericho, watch them cross the Jordan, and witness the fall of Jericho! Of course, we’ve read about these events in our Bibles, but this story really makes them come alive, and makes me feel as though I am actually there!
One of the hardest things to read about was the worship of Molech, which was also dealt with in a play my kids did during Vacation Bible School several years ago at our church back where we used to live in Michigan, which was about the life of Ruth, a Moabite woman, so they did understand what was happening, and how horrible it was. 😦
You can read more about Peggy Consolver – Author by going to her website. You will read about the author herself, and her own history leading up to where she is now in her life. You will also see several short endorsements on this page, and be able to sign up for her newsletter!
If you want to “dig deeper” and learn even more using your novel, the author has also written an excellent study guide, available for purchase here. You may even download a sample of the study guide to check it out before buying it, if you wish!
I have found Shepherd, Potter, Spy–and the Star Namer by Peggy Consolver – Author to be a fascinating read, one which makes me think even more about the stories we read in the Bible. This book makes these particular events come to life in a wonderful way!
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Thanks so much, Lori, for the kind words about SPSSN!
Have a blessed day.