Nearly two thousand years ago, nine hundred jews held out for months against armies of romans on masada, a mountain in. The program premiered in the united states on march 31, 2015 on cbs. All my best, alice hoffman book club talking points. Make your book club meeting as yummy as it is thoughtprovoking.
The story of the last zealot stronghold in judea is told from the point of view of four fictional women in the. Find events in harrison, ohio about book clubs and meet people in your local community who share your interests. Oct 24, 2018 the dovekeepers was a selection for my book club this month. Simple yet elegant food that is easy to eat while discussing the book is all part of the ambiance. Masada hebrew for fortress, is situated atop an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the judean desert, overlooking the dead sea. A trip through her enormous body of work for adults and young people is a. At 500 pages, the dovekeepers is a relatively long novel, and the need to start again with each new narrator, with her own exposition, taxes the storys momentum until the various threads. For me it is a toss up between aibileen and eugenia. Hoffmans 1997 novel here on earth was selected as an oprah book club pick, but even without winfreys powerful endorsement, her books have become huge bestsellers including three that have been adapted for the movies. Appointment in samarra by john ohara, discussion facilitated by julie stoehr. Jun 29, 2012 dovekeepers, is biblical historical fiction. It was our largest book to date at 500 pages but almost every member managed to finish it in time for our meeting. I did persist with this one until the end as i wanted to join in with the book club discussion that followed. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new.
The novel is alice hoffmans latest book, the dovekeepers, which attempts to retell the story of the jewish resistance during the roman siege of masada in the first century. Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the marriage of opposites, practical magic, the red garden, the oprahs book club selection here on earth, the museum of extraordinary things, and the dovekeepers. An exclusive interview with alice hoffman audio or transcript. In addition to discussing each womens character, you can also. In telling their story of loss and love, ive told my own story as well. I understand quite literally what it is to not feel the same as your family and have to figure out where you actually fit in. In that moment, the dovekeepers came to life as well. It features the siege of masada by troops of the roman empire towards the end of the first jewishroman war. But its length and density makes it more demanding than some other popular choices. This was the first book i read with my texas bookclub and it was a fantastic start this book has so much to talk about and plenty of interesting connections between each of the short articles. Any page references refer to a usa edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. From the new york times bestselling author of the dovekeepers and the museum of extraordinary things comes a spellbinding tale of forbidden love, family secrets and unimaginable beauty. This group is for those who want to participate in a lively book discussion where we can explore themes, characters, and plots. Dec 11, 2011 7 comments on the dovekeepers by alice hoffman book club discussion questions and research pingback.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you. The dovekeepers download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Alice hoffman booklist alice hoffman message board. A tale of forgiveness from the tragedy of the masada via npr masada description, photos, and maps via unesco discussion guide from the publisher additional questions from southfield public library. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. Reading group choices is your resource for book recommendations, book club discussion topics, and reading group guides.
Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the world that we knew, practical magic, the rules of magic, the oprahs book club selection here on earth,the red garden, the dovekeepers,the museum of extraordinary things, the marriage of opposites, and faithful. The book group corner offers readers companion guides that provide background and stimulate discussion on specific titles. This study guide consists of approximately 1 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the dovekeepers. Thomas in the early 1800s, the marriage of opposites follows one of historys lesser known women. This is a book club for anyone interested in discovering new literature genres or digging deeper into their favorites. It was a gift from my greatgreat grandmothers, the women of ancient israel who first spoke to me when i visited the mountain fortress of masada. Alice hoffman may be the most uneven writer in america. Each member or a team of 23 takes a card and answers the question. What did you know about the siege of masada before you read this book. The discussion was lively and made me think about events in the story in a different light, one that i wouldnt have thought of on my own. A thrilling debut novel about how far well go to protect. I read a wonderful book, one that i never would have chosen myself. The frustration is largely the result of the books lack of development, which might sound weird to.
The dovekeepers by alice hoffman book club discussion. The museum of extraordinary things book by alice hoffman. Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the world that we knew, the rules of magic, the marriage of opposites, practical magic, the red garden, the oprahs book club selection here on earth, the museum of extraordinary things, and the dovekeepers. An ambitious and mesmerizing novel from the bestselling author of rules of magic. Hoffman grounds her expansive, intricately woven, and deepest new novel in biblical history, with a devotion and seriousness of purpose entertainment weekly. This is a book that is both compelling and thought provoking. Some previous titles include the invisible bridge by julie orringer, marriage of opposites and the dovekeepers by alice hoffman, and the notorious rbg. The dovekeepers on its surface sounds like it has the potential to be incredibly moving, and i had high hopes. Check at the circulation desk or give us a call to get a copy of our next book. Southfield public library the dovekeepers by alice hoffman discussion questions used at spl january 20 1. Click download or read online button to get the dovekeepers book now. Selections are chosen by members a few months before the meeting date.
Find discussion books, contests, and reading lists. Explain the goal of the paired discussionto synthesize ideas across groups, to critique ideas within a larger group, and to identify common themes and social issues. With your book club, research camille pissarros artwork on the internet or, if you are able, visit a local museum that features his work. Did the author do a good job in differentiating the women. Jun 27, 20 continuing with a theme of reading historical fiction the book group read the dovekeepers by alice hoffman. The book ties in with the history of the jerusalem revolt, and the last stand of the jewish people before 900 people were killed by their own hands, by suicide. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute. Told in four parts, the first comes from yael, daughter of yosef bar elhanan, a sicarii zealot assassin, rejected by her father because of her. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the circulation desk a. Explain that each group will join together with the other group in the class who read the same book and conduct a 15minute paired book club discussion in front of the class. I did persist with this one until the end as i wanted. The dovekeepers is an enormously ambitious, multipart story, richly decorated with the details of life 2,000 years ago hoffman doesnt ignore the largerthanlife. The dovekeepers is an enormously ambitious, multipart story, richly decorated with the details of life 2,000 years agohoffman doesnt ignore the largerthanlife leaders and their deadly clash, but her creative path into masada is from the ground up. It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets.
May 06, 2019 the dovekeepers is a great book club selection, generating a lot of insightful discussion. Oct 04, 2011 at 500 pages, the dovekeepers is a relatively long novel, and the need to start again with each new narrator, with her own exposition, taxes the storys momentum until the various threads. The group usually meets the second monday of the month from 5. No registration is required, and new members are always welcome. Oct 23, 2011 the novel is alice hoffmans latest book, the dovekeepers, which attempts to retell the story of the jewish resistance during the roman siege of masada in the first century. According to the ancient historian josephus, two women and five children survived. On the east the rock falls in a sheer drop of about 450 meters to the dead sea the lowest point on earth, some 400 m. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. The official launch of book club central took place during the presidents program at the ala annual conference and exhibition in chicago on saturday, june 24, 2017. The dovekeepers alice hoffman, 2011 scribner 512 pp. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy.
So keep reading to get the most out of your next book club discussion. The dovekeepers is a good choice for book clubs as long as your group. The novel, is a awesome book to discuss with book clubs, especially women. Four strong women are brought together at the mountain of masada and fight for their lives against the romans. Practical magic 1995, the river king 2000, and her ya fable aquamarine 2001. Continuing with a theme of reading historical fiction the book group read the dovekeepers by alice hoffman. The dovekeeper by alice hoffman reading guidebook club. In 70 ce, 900 jews held out against armies of romans on a mountain in masada. This reading group guide for the dovekeepers includes discussion questions and a letter from author, alice hoffman. I received a warm welcome as the newcomer in a well established book club. The dovekeepers is a twopart television adaptation based on the book of the same name by alice hoffman from executive producers roma downey and mark burnett. The dovekeepers book by alice hoffman official publisher. The setting is ancient roman times and its based on the true story of how 900 jews held out against these warriors in what is now known as the siege of masada.
Join our wonderful group of readers for a night of camaraderie and book discussion. The life and times of ruth bader ginsburg by irin carmonhly. Book club penn state harrisburg commission for women. Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of scribner. Yael is the daughter of the assassin yosef bar elhanan. The marriage of opposites by alice hoffman book club. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. Perhaps this is a testament to hoffmans storytelling. Explorers of cincinnatis bookshelves cincinnati, oh. Oprahs books read about books seen on the show, oprahs selection of books that make a difference, her personal favorites, and find out how to host a book club. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. The wife between us was very different and i think i got a bit lost in the middle as it did seem to jump a little from the past to the present but after i sorted myself out i was completely taken in with the storyline. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion.
This is a feminist tale, a story of strong, intelligent women wedded to destiny by love and sacrifice. The dovekeepers was a selection for my book club this month. The dovekeepers by alice hoffman, discussion facilitated by janice arana. The club meets on the first tuesday of every month at 6. Nearly two thousand years ago, nine hundred jews held out for months against armies of romans on masada, a mountain in the judean desert. Did you like the way the story was told in 4 voices. Book club central, or bcc, will bring a world of information to book lovers, book clubs, libraries, and anyone who wants to increase their enjoyment of reading. Our book club page for the dovekeepers by alice hoffman includes book club discussion questions, author website, book summary. Like the breakfast hed had, the landscape was a familiar part of him that surfaced in his dreams and in his art page 257.
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