A Peek at Bathsheba (The David Chronicles #2) in The Creative Spark with Uvi Poznansky

Sep 03, 2014 Sheila rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cultural, historical, spiritual, relationships, romance, suspense

I really enjoyed Uvi Poznansky’s Rise to Power, so there was no way I would miss the chance to read A Peek at Bathsheba, second in her David Chronicles. It’s a wonderful story, well able to stand alone, and gorgeously, lyrically told. Those familiar with the Bible account will know where King David is coming from and going to. But every twist and turn of this plot feels fresh and new as David truly comes to life, an old man recollecting past mistakes; a king with many wives and honest loves and I really enjoyed Uvi Poznansky’s Rise to Power, so there was no way I would miss the chance to read A Peek at Bathsheba, second in her David Chronicles. It’s a wonderful story, well able to stand alone, and gorgeously, lyrically told. Those familiar with the Bible account will know where King David is coming from and going to. But every twist and turn of this plot feels fresh and new as David truly comes to life, an old man recollecting past mistakes; a king with many wives and honest loves and needs; a father who never quite knew what a father should do; and a man who, in volume three, will most surely be In Search of Redemption.

Author Uvi Poznansky has a wonderful talent for making the Biblical real, turning classic heroes into their humanly flawed counterparts, and rendering them totally fascinating. By the end of the tale, readers will feel they have truly sat at David’s feet, listening to him speak.

By turns cynical, sad, excitable, eager, foolish, wise, and maybe even driven a little mad by circumstance, this great king leads his people, sometimes leads his armies, and tries to lead his family into legacy. Meanwhile his prophet reminds him of God’s decrees, memories remind him of friendships past, and soldiers remind him of who they think put him on this throne. Faith is a lithesome thing in this tale, hard to grasp yet always waiting to threaten from the wings. And the victor writes the history, or at least the victor employs the historian.

Familiar Bible phrases echo, from psalms and from further afield, turned sometimes to God, sometimes to love. “How much nagging can a man take from his wives?” David wonders, even as he writes, and the twin roles of warrior and poet twist his words. Told with powerful sympathy and irony, a nicely prophetic touch, and plenty of earthy, human emotion, this novella has a classic feel blended with a wholly new approach. It’s beautifully researched, gorgeously rendered, and enticingly provocative in its blend of familiar and new. And it’s highly recommended.

Disclosure: It was free and I couldn’t resist it.
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Jul 05, 2014 Christoph Fischer rated it it was amazing

“A Peek at Bathsheba” by Uvi Poznansky is yet another one of her great Bible-inspired books. Nobody understands better to utilise existing stories that many of us are familiar with already – at least to some extent – and give them a new lease of life, a new angle and makes us see different sides to those historical, religious and mythical characters. Who was David really? A hero or a product of his circumstances, of coincidence and skilled manipulation? The bible and history books had their say; “A Peek at Bathsheba” by Uvi Poznansky is yet another one of her great Bible-inspired books. Nobody understands better to utilise existing stories that many of us are familiar with already – at least to some extent – and give them a new lease of life, a new angle and makes us see different sides to those historical, religious and mythical characters. Who was David really? A hero or a product of his circumstances, of coincidence and skilled manipulation? The bible and history books had their say; now Poznansky adds some new ideas and interpretations to the myth. Her David is a fascinating character, evolved from “The Rise to Power” with plenty of new material and story to cover.. In this second book about King David we follow him as he battles the tribe of Benjamin, hoping to unite all the tribes and make peace. All told in his own words with honesty and without pretence. He is shown as an anti-hero who is often weak and distracted by things other than politics and the benefit of all. We watch him and his wives, see him fall in love again, we see him suffer personal tragedy yet witness him almost unimpressed by political achievements. Some readers may find this controversial, I find it inspired and fascinating. This book covers one era in David’s life, one of many, one during which he has ‘mastered many skills’ and brings him in his own words to the “prime of his life”. All the while reading I was trying to remember what I know about David and Bathsheba, about the uniting of the tribes and what I shall expect in the next book in the series. Beyond the historical value the book has a great story at heart, that of a man whose roles and position brings complications and demands. The love story and the influence of Bathsheba on David are neither glorified nor trivialised; they brought alive in a unique and inspired way. Few writers can engage me with such sharp characterisation, witty and poignant dialogue, intriguing angles and ideas and incite a lust for knowing and understanding history. Poznansky writes with exquisite prose and elegant style, yet delivers piercing truth and insights into the human psyche on the way. A wonderful read. ...more

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Jul 20, 2015 Joan Roman Pavlick rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A Peek at Bathsheba, The David Chronicles, Book 2 by Uvi Poznansky. Performed by Justin Harmer. This nearly 7 hours audio book really took me by surprise.
Uvi's way of weaving a flow of words that brings to life the greatest love story that most may have missed in our lives. How we heard about David killing the Giant. Or how Bathsheba the most beautiful women of her time. This tale is of how even the best of us can fall into the sin of that forbidden love. With someone already married and by the A Peek at Bathsheba, The David Chronicles, Book 2 by Uvi Poznansky. Performed by Justin Harmer. This nearly 7 hours audio book really took me by surprise.
Uvi's way of weaving a flow of words that brings to life the greatest love story that most may have missed in our lives. How we heard about David killing the Giant. Or how Bathsheba the most beautiful women of her time. This tale is of how even the best of us can fall into the sin of that forbidden love. With someone already married and by the law of God untouchable. I love the way the words unfurl themselves as they are spoken by David. His way of expressing himself thru his poetry and telling of his tales of the past.

Knowing that he is only a man. Yet an anointed King of Israel, he must keep up all appearances. David speaks about his love for his wives. How they bring out the best and sometimes the worst of him. Telling of how each one of them became his bride and the challenges he met to win them over and sometimes not even then. For each one of the wives holding their place in his heart and succession of heirs they bear. Then, one day looking from his balcony he sees her, Bathsheba. The most beautiful woman he has ever seen. However, this adoration that must be seen from afar has now consumed him. He must have her. Yet, this was the wife of one of his soldiers. The passionate affair with her now has David now sending her husband in the way of harms way in battle. His way of covering this scandal.

Uvi choice of words has David speaking in such a way that you can feel the passion in her words. The words as they are spoken by Justin Harmer. Soft spoken yet with enough forcefulness to hold you captive for that moment in time. I enjoyed the way the story unfurled itself piece by piece. A huge puzzle gently put together and over time, you feel the pain that Bathsheba has at the loss of their son. How David deals with that death. How he feels that this is God's way of punishing them for their indiscretion. How James over the course of the book the change in his voice as it grows older and weary over time.

This story has been beautifully written. It has been narrated/performed to perfection giving that passive tone needed for such a tale.

This book was provided to me by the author for an honest review. However, at the time I did not have the first part of the David Chronicles. So I purchased that book so I can give a review of part one of this extraordinary story. All views above are solely mine and no way effected by others or their comments. Please take the time to let me know if this review was helpful or not. Always cherish comments as well. ...more

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Aug 04, 2014 Clarissa Simmens rated it it was amazing

Whether poetry, fiction or art, Uvi Poznansky has a talent for enticing the reader into her creations, making us a part of them. Book 2 of The David Chronicles, A Peek at Bathsheba, is no exception. Being religious or biblically knowledgeable is not required. Most everyone is familiar with David’s Old Testament psalms so reading Poznansky’s imagining of David the poet, the warrior, the king, the wife-stealer, and the cranky (sex-addicted) aging man is a fresh and lively way to have history come ...more

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Aug 17, 2014 Julia rated it it was amazing

An enjoyable and thought-provoking book! Uvi Poznansky makes the story of King David accessible and interesting. King David is very much a human being before he is King and, like all people, he has human struggles and emotions, eternal and ever-lasting.

While Uvi Poznansky’s book clearly stems from her extensive knowledge of the biblical story, research, and art history (she’s an artist herself, too!), this book is a work of fiction, written in a contemporary voice that makes it much easier for t ...more

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Jul 16, 2014 Keith rated it it was amazing

This book was fantastic!! Beautiful imagery, superb action, dazzling suspense. I am so happy to have had the luxury to read it. Now, I look forward to the next one!!!

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