While browsing in our local library, I was intrigued by a prominently displayed book, Ester’s Child. After reading a page or two, I decided that this book might be exceptionally good. I wasn’t mistaken.
ESTER’S CHILD, by Jean Sasson is the tale of four families. The Gale family is a well to do Jewish family living in Paris. They are Jewish in name only, having forsaken many of the traditional Jewish customs. Indeed, the mother, Natalie, prefers to think of them as being French, rather than Jewish. Her husband, Benjamin seems happy to drift along without any strong beliefs. They have four grown children, Michel, Jaques, Joseph and Rachel. Jaques and Joseph are the closest in age and both of them are attracted to the same girl, Ester Klein. Joseph is the one who wins her heart. Ester is the daugher of wealthy Moses Stein and his wife, Sarah of Warsaw, Poland. Ester has five brothers. Abraham, Eilam, Daniel, Israel and Greshom. The Stein family is very a very devout Orthodox family who live in a Kosher home. Moses has no patience with Jews who do not fervantly practice their faith.He has definite misgivings about the marriage of his daughter to the worldly Joseph Gale from Paris, and reluctantly gives in to her wishes. The George Antoun family is an Arab family who have been forced to flee their home in Haifa. Unable to return home after the war has ended, they live in a refugee camp with their young son Demetrius. Frederich Kleist is a former SS officer, who is haunted by the memories of the horrors he has seen and been forced to partake in. He lives with his wife, Eva. Frederich plays a minor, but very important role in the lives of the Jewish families.
In a story that spans from war torn Poland, France, Germany to the Arab/Israeli wars, you live through the joys, sorrows, and heartaches with these families. You will smile at the courting of Joseph and Ester, and then be moved to tears as you share the tragedies of war. You will experience the horrors of the Holocaust, and then be horrified again at the atrocities inflicted in Israel as the Arabs and Israeli’s battle for their homeland. The novel does tend to focus on the terrorist acts of the Israeli’s while downpeddling the same acts on the part of the Palestinians. Even so, the utter futility of war is revealed.
I highly recommend this novel to all who like a many faceted story with depth and meaning. This one will make you think awhile. Happy reading