(517) A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

Being familiar with the book of Esther in the bible, I must say that this historical fiction is some what different from the biblical account. As the author puts it, it is "the love story of Esther".

The story was set in the city of Susa, where Mordecai worked in the King's treasury. Esther was his orphaned niece. After Queen Vashti was deposed, beautiful virgins were taken into the palace to be prepared as candidates to take her place. Out of many formidable rivals, Esther was chosen as the new Queen. Meanwhile, Haman (the Jews' enemy) was plotting to annihilate the Jews. Esther courageously went before the King to plead for her people. The Jews were saved and Haman was executed.

This book provided a glimpse into the daily life in the palace that one cannot get from reading the scripture. I find it entirely believable that Esther did fall in love with her royal husband. And it is certain that she won the favour of her husband. I know it was probably naive to believe that a great King can be satisfied with bedding one woman exclusively. But it is wonderful to believe love does conquer all in some cases.

I like the chapters devoted to the less formal life the royal family spent in the summer hill resort. In that setting, I see the warring and conquering abilities of the victorious race. Without the horses, they would not be controlling such a great empire stretching from India to Ethiopia.

After conquering many nations and taking captives, the city of Susa must have been a most cosmopolitan  place. Seeing that Mordecai was placed in a literate position in the treasury, this government obviously utilized the many talents of their captives.

Another interesting fact is that the conquering race counted the blood line from the father side. But the Jews counted it from the mother side. If Esther's mother did not marry her husband who was not a Jew, there would be no Queen Esther. (And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.) It is obvious that Esther is the one called to save her race.

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