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Rav Hisda's Daughter, Book I: Apprentice: A Novel of Love, the Talmud, and Sorcery
by
Maggie Anton (Goodreads Author)
Hisdadukh, blessed to be beautiful and learned, is the youngest child of Talmudic sage Rav Hisda. The world around her is full of conflict. Rome, fast becoming Christian, battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance while Rav Hisda and his colleagues struggle to establish new Jewish traditions after the destruction of Jerusalem's Holy Temple. Against this backdrop Hisdadukh em...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
July 31st 2012
by Plume
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This novel deals with the daughter of a Talmudic figure who lived in Persia. The main character, Hisdadukh, is mentioned in the Talmud. It actually means Hisda's daughter in Persian. Since relatively few names of women have come down to us from ancient Jewish sources, I would have assumed that the redactors of the Talmud had left her name out. Maggie Anton decided that Hisdadukh actually was her given name. I had a problem with this idea. She portrays Rav Hisda as a man who taught his daughter t...more
Sep 24, 2012
Maggie Anton
rated it
5 of 5 stars
· (Review from the author)
·
review of another edition
Hisdadukh, blessed to be both beautiful and learned, is the youngest child of Talmudic sage Rav Hisda. The series about her unfolds in third-century Babylonia, in the household of her father, one of a handful of beleaguered rabbis struggling to establish new Jewish traditions after the destruction of Jerusalem's Holy Temple.
The world around her is full of conflict. Rome, fast becoming Christian, battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance while Rav Hisda and his colleagues face defiance by those J...more
The world around her is full of conflict. Rome, fast becoming Christian, battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance while Rav Hisda and his colleagues face defiance by those J...more
I had never heard of Rav Hisda, but had so loved Maggie Anton's "Rashi's Daughters" my expectations were very high. At first I was disappointed.... All seemed too esoteric, too much of the hair-splitting arguments that bore me, but then I did finally get into the story. I know little to nothing, really, about this period of Jewish history during the Babylonian exile, and the story did bring the period to life. I was quite surprised at all the talk of incantations, amulets, demons and spells conn...more
This new series takes us farther back in history to the Babalonian exhile of the Jews and the beginning of the Rabbinic era. Anton's reasearch is so amazing! It is fscinating to see how the Persians and the Jews lived. The descriptions of the journeys back and forth between Babylonia and Palestina are particularly fascinating. The background is the wars between Rome and Persia, the beginning of Christanity, explantions of Zororastrianism, but most of all the Talmud. Took a little time to get int...more
I like the exposure to this period in history. Specially the discussions about the law. I could have used less talk of romance and descriptions of the sort. It took way from the overall theme of the book. I would have liked more descriptions as far as the particulars of the time period (clothing, etc.) I found I had to look these things up to get an overall feel for the times. Complexity of theme and writing was fine, but a bit over simplified at certain points. Would recommend if you have time...more
Hisdadukh, blessed to be both beautiful and learned, is the youngest child of Talmudic sage Rav Hisda. The series about her unfolds in third-century Babylonia, in the household of her father, one of a handful of beleaguered rabbis struggling to establish new Jewish traditions after the destruction of Jerusalem's Holy Temple.
The world around her is full of conflict. Rome, fast becoming Christian, battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance while Rav Hisda and his colleagues face defiance by those Je...more
The world around her is full of conflict. Rome, fast becoming Christian, battles Zoroastrian Persia for dominance while Rav Hisda and his colleagues face defiance by those Je...more
Based on a person mentioned only as "Rav Hisda's daughter" in the Talmud, Anton constructs an interesting portrait of life in a Rabbinic Jewish family in 3rd century Babylonia/Persia. I love the descriptions of daily life, such as farming or weaving cloth, as well as the status of women and the practice of magic. Many of the discussions in the book are based on Talmudic texts, as are many of characters. The research must have been considerable to create such a realistic and believable setting. R...more
Maggie Anton has again tried to feature a little known woman from the Jewish past and has only partially succeeded. I found this novel too didactic, the same issue I had with her previous books. Anton tries to do too much. Hisdakikh comes off as wooden and rigid, while the other characters need more development. The author flood us with Mishna in the same awkward manner she used for texts in her earlier books.
Another excellent story. This time the setting is ~300 CE in what is now modern Iraq. It is told by Hisdadukh the daughter of a leading rabbi and the sister of 5 others. The time period is her childhood with reflections back to her parents' stories to provide context, until her adulthood. The story is largely historical fiction with extra details that 'teach' along the way. I'm looking forward to Book II.
Oct 24, 2012
Lee Anne
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Lee Anne by:
saw it at Costco
Shelves:
fiction
Did not care for this one. More than I cared to know about endless discussions of rabbinic minutiae, women's menses, & demons! Some of the content was a bit interesting regarding customs of Persia & Judaism in the 300's (?). Can't recommend as an engaging book; more of an endurance contest if one cares to finish it; I finished, but never really connected.
Fascinating look into the lives of Babylonian Jews after the fall of Jerusalem. A lot of Talmudic arguments are woven into the story, which centers on the youngest daughter of a prominent Rabbi. The only thing I disliked about the book is that it ends in the middle of the story, but it looks like the author is planning a second book.
From the get go this had me completely enthralled. The writing was terrific and as far as I can tell the research Mrs. Anton must have performed was quite an awesome feat. I am not Jewish myself but have enjoyed several titles with heroines belonging to the belief and have always been captivated by these strong, intelligent and most holy woman. Looking forward to the next book!
I loved this book! It is set in ancient Babylonia, one of my favorite places to read about. Hisdadukh is the daughter of a Talmudic Sage. Two of her father's students are trying to win her hand. When her father asks her kiddingly which she wants to marry, she replies "Both." Lots of history in this book -- Babylonia, Sepphoris, Tiberius. Hisdadukh learns how to write incantations for bowls and amulets. Lots of ancient superstitions in the book. Very, very interesting.
I was completely attached to the main character by the time the novel ended. While painting an attractive portrait of life in a rabbinic family in Babylonia, Anton does not shy away from restrictive practices and some harsh realities.
Aug 06, 2012
Amy
added it
I enjoyed this book. It was good historical fiction, though a little dense with Talmud. Sometimes I just wanted to get back to the storyline. About 3/4 through I thought I wouldn't read the next one - but she left the ending hanging just enough that I want to find out what happened ...
1 like · like · see review
Torah, Torah, Torah. Lots of Torah discussions from Third Century Jews in Babylon with romance, political conflict, and women's history. Oh, yes sorcery is also mixed in.
Very interesting tale of the Talmud and Sorcery during the time around 280 CE. A bit too much Talmud discussion about a enjoyed much about the book.
Fascinating book. I've posted a full review here: http://reclaimingjudaism.org/teaching...
I really enjoyed this book, I like the historical background, for some the extensive arguments about the Talmud may be a tedious.
Nothing like her others.....slow paced. I was not engaged. Read half the book....Darn, I was looking forward to this one!
Once again Ms. Aston has opened a world that I would never have known existed. Looking forward to the next o e.
Nov 05, 2012
Amy
added it
Another great read by Maggie Anton. She brilliantly creates a midrash about women in Jewish history. Fascinating read.
I enjoyed this book. It gave me an insight into a portion of Judaism I was not so aware of: fear and superstition. Although sometimes a bit much, I also enjoyed the Mishnah studies
I loved this book. I loved reading about the times, the sorcery and the romance.
Very interesting and unique subject matter, but writing was mediocre, couldn't ever get "into" the book.
Wish I didn't have to wait for numbers two and three to come out. I read Rashi's daughters after they were all already published. I wish I had waited for these to be published too, because they're just as good.
MOAR. Om nom nom nom nom.
Amazing book
Loved it!
The history is interesting and not something you are going to see anywhere else - all about Jews (and particularly women) in Persia during the Talmudic era - but the story itself was not too compelling.
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Maggie Anton was born Margaret Antonofsky in Los Angeles, California. Raised in a secular, socialist household, she reached adulthood with little knowledge of her Jewish religion. All that changed when David Parkhurst, who was to become her husband, entered her life, and they both discovered Judaism as adults. That was the start of a lifetime of Jewish education, synagogue involvement, and ritual...more
More about Maggie Anton...
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