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In a Milk and Honeyed Land

Richard Abbott (Goodreads Author)

4.71 · Rating details · 7 ratings · 5 reviews

The Background In a Milk and Honeyed Land is a novel about everyday life about 3,000 years ago in the hill country of Canaan - now called Israel and Palestine - close to the end of the time of Egyptian rule of that province. It explores how the vast changes in lifestyle, politics, religion and music that occurred in that area between what archaeologists call the Bronze Age The Background In a Milk and Honeyed Land is a novel about everyday life about 3,000 years ago in the hill country of Canaan - now called Israel and Palestine - close to the end of the time of Egyptian rule of that province. It explores how the vast changes in lifestyle, politics, religion and music that occurred in that area between what archaeologists call the Bronze Age and Iron Age might have been mirrored by individual people's words and actions. The large-scale actions and military campaigns of the Egyptian pharaoh and other great kings are nowhere in sight; this is a story of the resources and people available within four small allied communities. It is set close to the end of a long period of comparative stability in the hill country of Canaan. The Egyptians the Mitsriy of the story have governed the region with a fairly light hand, on the whole. Population has declined, and towns and villages have dwindled in size as the occupants have moved out into the more prosperous lowlands. Within a hundred years or so, the political landscape will be quite different again, with the Mitsriy gone and small kingdoms arising to compete over the territory. For the time being, communities continue in their traditional ways, with local priests and chieftains chosen from among the people by merit rather than dynastic ambition. The book follows the life of a village priest in one of the towns as he struggles with timeless issues of life and love, loyalty and betrayal, greed and generous giving. The First Part of the Story Damariel is apprenticed as a young man by the village priest, whose reckless actions lead to his disgrace. Damariel manages to avoid becoming implicated in the matter and carries on his training, marrying his childhood friend Qetirah shortly before they begin their shared ministry in the town. Feeling ashamed of their continuing inability to have children, Qetirah becomes pregnant by the chief of the four towns, but the pregnancy is difficult. Damariel's anger and outrage spills over into the marriage. He holds the chief responsible for the situation but cannot see how to get either justice or revenge..." ...more

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Paperback, 496 pages

Published May 30th 2012 by Trafford Publishing

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Dec 29, 2013 Anna Belfrage rated it really liked it

Already from the title, one gathers this book is set in that ancient cradle of humanity, the Promised Land. Mr Abbott paints a vivid description of the region and its people as it may have appeared well over three thousand years ago, doing a rather elegant tie in to the events related to us in the Book of Joshua.
However, the story is not told from the viewpoint of the Hebrew tribes, instead we are transported to a little town called Kephrath that nestles into a ridge, surrounded by olive groves Already from the title, one gathers this book is set in that ancient cradle of humanity, the Promised Land. Mr Abbott paints a vivid description of the region and its people as it may have appeared well over three thousand years ago, doing a rather elegant tie in to the events related to us in the Book of Joshua.
However, the story is not told from the viewpoint of the Hebrew tribes, instead we are transported to a little town called Kephrath that nestles into a ridge, surrounded by olive groves.

The inhabitants of this little village are Canaanites, a society which counts descent matrilinearily rather than partiarchically, where the people survive as farmers, craftsmen and traders. This is the home of Damariel, the protagonist of the story, who is but a child when we first meet him. Damariel is a confused boy; he lives with his mother, his siblings, and a man he calls father but who clearly isn’t his father – after all, Damariel is a child of the gods, which essentially means he is the result of a ritual whereby his mother bedded with the village priest. Mr Abbott does a good job of describing the tension this fact causes, between husband and wife, between Damariel and his so-called father.

The life in this long-ago village is richly described, from the foods they prepare, to the tending of the olives and the rituals of life and death. I am not in a position to judge how accurate the protrayal is, but I feel transported to a land of hot summers and somewhat cooler winters, to summer nights when the family sleeps on their roofs, to a life that follows the ancient rhythm of the moon, to the wafting scents of mimosa and acacia, of honey and lotus.

Damariel grows up to be a compassionate priest and a seer, and will have to handle personal loss and betrayal, complex family relationships and the burden of feeling responsible for the well-being of his entire village, come what may.

This is not a book for those who want action or multilayered intrigue, rather it is a reflection on human life in general, subtly making the point just how similar the central issues in our lives remain – whether in the here and now or in the far back then. I was also quite impressed by how well Mr Abbott describes a society built on female lineage, with the women playing as important a role in society as do their men.

The prose is rich and fragrant and flows easily across the pages. Mr Abbott has made no attempt to antiquate the dialogue, which in general is a good thing. However, at times the expressions used were too modern, and a dialogue peppered with “look” and “you know” jarred with the time period.

In a Milk and Honeyed Land is a believable and at times very touching description of a man that always tries to do the best he can for his family and friends. Add to this an unusual historical background, some very evocative writing, and you have quite the read. I for one will definitely be looking for future books by Mr Abbott!
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Apr 22, 2013 Anastasia Abboud rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I've been trying to write a review for this book for over a week, struggling to find the words to convey the beauty and relevance of a story that I found to be an unexpected joy to read.

Dysfunctional families, unhappy marriages, loss of loved ones, the burden of taxes, dishonorable leaders, an unsure future.... How do people get through crisis after crisis, continue to bear uncertainty and pain? In a world that's ever-changing, ever-shrinking, how can we maintain our unique identities without c I've been trying to write a review for this book for over a week, struggling to find the words to convey the beauty and relevance of a story that I found to be an unexpected joy to read.

Dysfunctional families, unhappy marriages, loss of loved ones, the burden of taxes, dishonorable leaders, an unsure future.... How do people get through crisis after crisis, continue to bear uncertainty and pain? In a world that's ever-changing, ever-shrinking, how can we maintain our unique identities without closing ourselves to wonderful and sometimes essential new possibilities? The characters in "In a Milk and Honeyed Land" survive trials and bone-crushing sorrow by being true to themselves and true to each other, never forgetting the bonds of family, friendship, and community. They hold what's important ever before them and face challenges head on, sometimes accepting change, sometimes rejecting it. If they could do that at the end of the Bronze age, we can do it, now.

The story is set around 1200 B.C.E., in the area of Canaan, in what is modern day Israel, Palestine, and Gaza, towards the end of Egyptian rule in that region. It follows the life of village priest Damariel as he, his family, and his village encounter life-altering changes, some naturally evolving and others harshly forced. Most of us know of the Canaanites only in the writings of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It's interesting to view them as real people, made entirely sympathetic and dripping with humanity by author Richard Abbott. Scholar, historian, poet, Dr. Abbott knows his subject matter well and he is a gifted storyteller. He reveals this ancient world with gripping emotion and stunning simplicity. Flowing, eloquent descriptions of the region, traditions, music, and writings of the people of those times immerse the reader. I felt as if I were there, standing at "the high place" with the world spread out before me, walking in an ancient olive grove, hearing the soothing notes of a lyre. I wanted to be there, to be part of the exhilarating festivals, to share in the people's sorrows, to face their challenges with them. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, yet I hated to see the book end.

Considering the depths of emotion explored, the lessons conveyed, and the story told, "In a Milk and Honeyed Land" is an astonishingly easy read. More than that, it's utterly beautiful.

If you are interested in being transported to a different, vital, time and place and are ready to be engrossed, refreshed, rejuvenated, I urge you to give yourself the gift of "In a Milk and Honeyed Land" by Richard Abbott.
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Apr 19, 2015 Paul Bennett rated it it was amazing

I was drawn to this novel simply because of the time period and the locale. I enjoy reading about the early history of the ancient Near East. My first real exposure to that area was as a freshman in college and the mesmerizing and thoroughly entertaining Professor Milton Covensky and the textbook he wrote, The Ancient Near East Tradition. Of course, that was a historical perspective, in the world of historical-fiction, the series by Sam Barone, The Eskkar Saga provided an interesting take on the I was drawn to this novel simply because of the time period and the locale. I enjoy reading about the early history of the ancient Near East. My first real exposure to that area was as a freshman in college and the mesmerizing and thoroughly entertaining Professor Milton Covensky and the textbook he wrote, The Ancient Near East Tradition. Of course, that was a historical perspective, in the world of historical-fiction, the series by Sam Barone, The Eskkar Saga provided an interesting take on the Tigris-Euphrates civilizations. In A Milk and Honeyed Land gives us a sterling portrayal of the Canaanite hill country in 1200 BCE; a time of change in the region. The influence of Egypt is waning as new forces enter the land. These forces being the Ibriym(Hebrews) under the leadership of Joshua.

The story offers a glimpse into the everyday life of the four towns, Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim(in the book they are named Giybon,Kephrath,Meyim and Jarrar's Town) that have bonded together in a matrilineal society. In the Old Testament they are known collectively as the Gibeonites. Much of the story centers around the seers or priests of the towns, in particular the seer of Kephrath, Damariel. I found this to be a very moving narrative of the people in their daily lives; the struggles, the joys, the times of celebration and the times of sorrow. Damariel is a wonderful character and it is through his eyes we learn of the ritual religious practices of the people, the high places and standing stones. The author's use of dialogue is especially touching and his descriptive narration is spot on. Mr. Abbott certainly did his homework and his extensive research is evident throughout. I went into this book not knowing what to expect as both the author and the subject matter were new to me. What I came away with is a better understanding of what life was like in a time and place that was integral in the rise of much of Western civilization. I also came away with the knowledge that I have another series of tales to follow...Scenes from a Life and The Flame Before Us are now on my to be read pile.

5 stars and a 'You have to read this ' Hooverbkreview recommendation. ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Richard Abbott rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Well, I am the author so naturally I think this book is well worth reading... Here is some background and synopsis for the first part of the story
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The Background

In a Milk and Honeyed Land is a novel about everyday life 3,000 years ago in the hill country of Canaan – now called Israel and Palestine – close to the end of the time of Egyptian rule of that province. It explores how the vast changes in lifestyle, politics, religion and music that occurred in that area between what arch ...more

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Apr 07, 2014 Nancy rated it it was amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this.

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About Richard Abbott

Richard Abbott

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Richard Abbott writes fiction written in several different genres. Originally writing historical fiction set in the Middle East at the end of the Bronze Age, around 1200BC, he branched out into speculative fiction, set either in a historical fantasy world, or else in a near-future solar system exploring issues of high-tech crime and human-machine relationships.

His first excursion into historical ...more