Practical magic 1995, the river king 2000, and her ya fable aquamarine 2001. The novel is alice hoffmans latest book, the dovekeepers, which attempts to retell the story of the jewish resistance during the roman siege of masada in the first century. Simple yet elegant food that is easy to eat while discussing the book is all part of the ambiance. Join our wonderful group of readers for a night of camaraderie and book discussion. The dovekeepers download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. All my best, alice hoffman book club talking points. The museum of extraordinary things book by alice hoffman. I did persist with this one until the end as i wanted.
It was our largest book to date at 500 pages but almost every member managed to finish it in time for our meeting. Click download or read online button to get the dovekeepers book now. Make your book club meeting as yummy as it is thoughtprovoking. Did you like the way the story was told in 4 voices. For me it is a toss up between aibileen and eugenia. Each member or a team of 23 takes a card and answers the question. The dovekeeper by alice hoffman reading guidebook club. Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of scribner.
From the new york times bestselling author of the dovekeepers and the museum of extraordinary things comes a spellbinding tale of forbidden love, family secrets and unimaginable beauty. Nearly two thousand years ago, nine hundred jews held out for months against armies of romans on masada, a mountain in. I did persist with this one until the end as i wanted to join in with the book club discussion that followed. So keep reading to get the most out of your next book club discussion. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new. The dovekeepers on its surface sounds like it has the potential to be incredibly moving, and i had high hopes. Oct 24, 2018 the dovekeepers was a selection for my book club this month. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you. At 500 pages, the dovekeepers is a relatively long novel, and the need to start again with each new narrator, with her own exposition, taxes the storys momentum until the various threads.
Southfield public library the dovekeepers by alice hoffman discussion questions used at spl january 20 1. This reading group guide for the dovekeepers includes discussion questions and a letter from author, alice hoffman. The dovekeepers is an enormously ambitious, multipart story, richly decorated with the details of life 2,000 years ago hoffman doesnt ignore the largerthanlife. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. It features the siege of masada by troops of the roman empire towards the end of the first jewishroman war. Told in four parts, the first comes from yael, daughter of yosef bar elhanan, a sicarii zealot assassin, rejected by her father because of her. An exclusive interview with alice hoffman audio or transcript. The story of the last zealot stronghold in judea is told from the point of view of four fictional women in the. In that moment, the dovekeepers came to life as well. Four strong women are brought together at the mountain of masada and fight for their lives against the romans. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute. No registration is required, and new members are always welcome.
Book club central, or bcc, will bring a world of information to book lovers, book clubs, libraries, and anyone who wants to increase their enjoyment of reading. The setting is ancient roman times and its based on the true story of how 900 jews held out against these warriors in what is now known as the siege of masada. In addition to discussing each womens character, you can also. The club meets on the first tuesday of every month at 6. Explain the goal of the paired discussionto synthesize ideas across groups, to critique ideas within a larger group, and to identify common themes and social issues. It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. This study guide consists of approximately 1 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the dovekeepers.
A trip through her enormous body of work for adults and young people is a. A thrilling debut novel about how far well go to protect. Hoffmans 1997 novel here on earth was selected as an oprah book club pick, but even without winfreys powerful endorsement, her books have become huge bestsellers including three that have been adapted for the movies. Yet i found the reading to be more of an exercise in frustration and perseverance.
The discussion was lively and made me think about events in the story in a different light, one that i wouldnt have thought of on my own. The marriage of opposites by alice hoffman book club. It was a gift from my greatgreat grandmothers, the women of ancient israel who first spoke to me when i visited the mountain fortress of masada. The dovekeepers is a twopart television adaptation based on the book of the same name by alice hoffman from executive producers roma downey and mark burnett.
Oct 23, 2011 the novel is alice hoffmans latest book, the dovekeepers, which attempts to retell the story of the jewish resistance during the roman siege of masada in the first century. Any page references refer to a usa edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. Reading group choices is your resource for book recommendations, book club discussion topics, and reading group guides. May 06, 2019 the dovekeepers is a great book club selection, generating a lot of insightful discussion. Dec 11, 2011 7 comments on the dovekeepers by alice hoffman book club discussion questions and research pingback. Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the world that we knew, the rules of magic, the marriage of opposites, practical magic, the red garden, the oprahs book club selection here on earth, the museum of extraordinary things, and the dovekeepers. Alice hoffman booklist alice hoffman message board. The official launch of book club central took place during the presidents program at the ala annual conference and exhibition in chicago on saturday, june 24, 2017. Some previous titles include the invisible bridge by julie orringer, marriage of opposites and the dovekeepers by alice hoffman, and the notorious rbg. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the circulation desk a. Find events in harrison, ohio about book clubs and meet people in your local community who share your interests. According to the ancient historian josephus, two women and five children survived. Like the breakfast hed had, the landscape was a familiar part of him that surfaced in his dreams and in his art page 257.
The dovekeepers was a selection for my book club this month. The wife between us was very different and i think i got a bit lost in the middle as it did seem to jump a little from the past to the present but after i sorted myself out i was completely taken in with the storyline. The dovekeepers alice hoffman, 2011 scribner 512 pp. This novel is a sprawling tale based on another event in history. Oct 04, 2011 at 500 pages, the dovekeepers is a relatively long novel, and the need to start again with each new narrator, with her own exposition, taxes the storys momentum until the various threads. With your book club, research camille pissarros artwork on the internet or, if you are able, visit a local museum that features his work. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the world that we knew, practical magic, the rules of magic, the oprahs book club selection here on earth,the red garden, the dovekeepers,the museum of extraordinary things, the marriage of opposites, and faithful. Alice hoffman may be the most uneven writer in america. The dovekeepers is an enormously ambitious, multipart story, richly decorated with the details of life 2,000 years agohoffman doesnt ignore the largerthanlife leaders and their deadly clash, but her creative path into masada is from the ground up. On the east the rock falls in a sheer drop of about 450 meters to the dead sea the lowest point on earth, some 400 m. The dovekeepers book by alice hoffman official publisher. This is a feminist tale, a story of strong, intelligent women wedded to destiny by love and sacrifice.
This is a book club for anyone interested in discovering new literature genres or digging deeper into their favorites. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. If i hadnt heard so many good things about this book and for the fact that it was a book club read, i dare say i may have abandoned it. The group usually meets the second monday of the month from 5. Continuing with a theme of reading historical fiction the book group read the dovekeepers by alice hoffman. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. Jun 29, 2012 dovekeepers, is biblical historical fiction.
Hoffman grounds her expansive, intricately woven, and deepest new novel in biblical history, with a devotion and seriousness of purpose entertainment weekly. The novel, is a awesome book to discuss with book clubs, especially women. Find discussion books, contests, and reading lists. Masada hebrew for fortress, is situated atop an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the judean desert, overlooking the dead sea. Oprahs books read about books seen on the show, oprahs selection of books that make a difference, her personal favorites, and find out how to host a book club. Appointment in samarra by john ohara, discussion facilitated by julie stoehr. Check at the circulation desk or give us a call to get a copy of our next book. Explain that each group will join together with the other group in the class who read the same book and conduct a 15minute paired book club discussion in front of the class. Nearly two thousand years ago, nine hundred jews held out for months against armies of romans on masada, a mountain in the judean desert. Book club penn state harrisburg commission for women. The book group corner offers readers companion guides that provide background and stimulate discussion on specific titles. Selections are chosen by members a few months before the meeting date. Jun 27, 20 continuing with a theme of reading historical fiction the book group read the dovekeepers by alice hoffman. The dovekeepers is a good choice for book clubs as long as your group.
Perhaps this is a testament to hoffmans storytelling. This was the first book i read with my texas bookclub and it was a fantastic start this book has so much to talk about and plenty of interesting connections between each of the short articles. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The life and times of ruth bader ginsburg by irin carmonhly.
I read a wonderful book, one that i never would have chosen myself. Yael is the daughter of the assassin yosef bar elhanan. Explorers of cincinnatis bookshelves cincinnati, oh. In telling their story of loss and love, ive told my own story as well. Did the author do a good job in differentiating the women. I understand quite literally what it is to not feel the same as your family and have to figure out where you actually fit in. Our book club page for the dovekeepers by alice hoffman includes book club discussion questions, author website, book summary. The dovekeepers by alice hoffman, discussion facilitated by janice arana. What did you know about the siege of masada before you read this book.
In 70 ce, 900 jews held out against armies of romans on a mountain in masada. This group is for those who want to participate in a lively book discussion where we can explore themes, characters, and plots. The dovekeepers by alice hoffman book club discussion. Alice hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the marriage of opposites, practical magic, the red garden, the oprahs book club selection here on earth, the museum of extraordinary things, and the dovekeepers. An ambitious and mesmerizing novel from the bestselling author of rules of magic. This is a book that is both compelling and thought provoking. The book ties in with the history of the jerusalem revolt, and the last stand of the jewish people before 900 people were killed by their own hands, by suicide. A tale of forgiveness from the tragedy of the masada via npr masada description, photos, and maps via unesco discussion guide from the publisher additional questions from southfield public library. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. The program premiered in the united states on march 31, 2015 on cbs. I received a warm welcome as the newcomer in a well established book club.
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