Bathsheba

Starred review from February 15, 2011
"*Starred Review* When King David suffers a devastating loss, it seems that nothing can break through his cloak of griefuntil he sees the legendary beauty, Bathsheba. Their affair, as well as Davids ruthless disposal of Uriah the Hittite, Bathshebas husband and one of Davids loyal officers, are among the Bibles biggest scandals. Smith puts a refreshingly different spin on this familiar tale of adultery, delving into the motivations and feelings behind Bathshebas and Davids actions within the context of the customs and religious expectations of the times. Theres plenty of suspense, court intrigue, and excitement in Smiths rendering, especially when Davids other sons, worried that his child by Bathsheba, Solomon, will be king, lead a revolt against their father. Smith has a strong voice, and her seamless blending of Davids words from the Psalms with her narrative adds to the novels authenticity. Bathsheba will appeal to a wide variety of readers, including fans of Anita Diamants The Red Tent (1997). The third novel in Smiths splendid Wives of King David series (Michal, 2009; Abigail, 2010), this works as a standalone, but libraries will want all three books."(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)