THE BOOK FAIR

Colorful images emerge of Saul’s rise to kingship and his first years of reign.   Depictions of vivid battle scenes between Israelites and Philistines engross the reader.

However, even though the author stays close to the Hebrew Bible, Ellis creates fictional stories of both recognized and scarcely mentioned characters in the Bible.  The prime example would be Nathan, Saul’s servant whom the author casts as the central figure, though the servant’s mention in the Bible is only in passing.

Further, Ellis invents an entire story based on opposition to the monarchy that the tribes demanded from the dismally, disappointed Samuel.

Israelites referred to the tribes by the name or symbol and the Family name within the tribe, as opposed to the author’s description of Highlanders or clans.  The dialogue, at times, comes across as stilted, but the story still carries interest and in instances, peaks to heart-pounding scenes.

For those interested in the story of Saul, read the Hebrew Bible.  However, the book proves entertaining with the knowledge that Ellis’s story remains after all, a novel.