Synopses & Reviews
Given to the temple of Atargatis as a child, Delilah is raised to be a priestess to the Five Cities that rule Canaan. With her beloved friend Aylah, Delilah grows up under the watchful eyes of high priestess Derceto, who sees the devout young priestesses as valuable playing pieces in her political schemes.
In the hills of Canaan, the Israelites chafe under the rule of the Five Cities, and choose Samson to lead them to victory. A reluctant warrior, Samson is a man of great heart who prefers peace to war. But fearing a rebellion, those who rule the Five Cities will do anything to capture Samson. When Samson catches a glimpse of Delilah, he is ready to risk his freedom to marry her, and Derceto seizes the chance to have Samson at her mercy. The Temple's intrigues against Samson force Aylah and Delilah apart, lead Delilah to question her own heart, and change her future forever.
A glorious and inventive retelling of an ancient story, Delilah is a soaring tale of political turmoil, searing betrayal, passionate friendship, and forbidden love.
Review
“With her vivid attention to historical detail, Edghill keeps readers captivated
.” --
People"A spellbinding, emotionally powerful reinvention of a timeless tale from a master of lyrical language. With Delilah, India Edghill has written a song of the heart set among clashing kingdoms and created an historical novel to savor." --New York Times best-selling author Nicole Jordan“In Edghill's beautifully written tale, Delilah and Samson unite to bring down their enemies. This is one biblically inspired historical novel not to miss.” --Booklist
“Edghill has crafted a powerful, lyrical novel and created two unforgettable characters.” --Library Journal
“Focusing on a turbulent political atmosphere, betrayal, and a searing passion, Edghill allows the reader to see a man and woman caught up in a doomed love. Four stars.” --RT Book Reviews
"Richly imagined in hauntingly beautiful prose, India Edghill's Delilah is what the Bible may have been like had it been written by a woman. Delilah is a character whose compelling voice will keep you turning the pages in this truly remarkable story." --Michelle Moran, author of Nefertiti
“Most people know the story of Samson and Delilah, but youve never heard it told like this. In this beautifully crafted tale, an all-too-human Delilah speaks across the centuries and tells us what really happened in the lands of the Philistines so long ago. Her story will draw you in quietly at first -- and then it builds to a roar. Its both mythic and moving, and rife with surprising twists.” --Donna Gillespie, international bestselling author of The Light Bearer and Lady of the Light
“A fascinating and unorthodox retelling of the Samson and Delilah story as seen through pagan eyes. Through India Edghills extensive research and talent for telling detail, this familiar tale takes on a whole new meaning.” --Naomi Ragen, author of The Ghost of Hannah Mendes and The Saturday Wife
Review
“With her vivid attention to historical detail, Edghill keeps readers captivated
.” --
People"A spellbinding, emotionally powerful reinvention of a timeless tale from a master of lyrical language. With Delilah, India Edghill has written a song of the heart set among clashing kingdoms and created an historical novel to savor." --New York Times best-selling author Nicole Jordan“In Edghill's beautifully written tale, Delilah and Samson unite to bring down their enemies. This is one biblically inspired historical novel not to miss.” --Booklist
“Edghill has crafted a powerful, lyrical novel and created two unforgettable characters.” --Library Journal
“Focusing on a turbulent political atmosphere, betrayal, and a searing passion, Edghill allows the reader to see a man and woman caught up in a doomed love. Four stars.” --RT Book Reviews
"Richly imagined in hauntingly beautiful prose, India Edghill's Delilah is what the Bible may have been like had it been written by a woman. Delilah is a character whose compelling voice will keep you turning the pages in this truly remarkable story." --Michelle Moran, author of Nefertiti
“Most people know the story of Samson and Delilah, but youve never heard it told like this. In this beautifully crafted tale, an all-too-human Delilah speaks across the centuries and tells us what really happened in the lands of the Philistines so long ago. Her story will draw you in quietly at first -- and then it builds to a roar. Its both mythic and moving, and rife with surprising twists.” --Donna Gillespie, international bestselling author of The Light Bearer and Lady of the Light
“A fascinating and unorthodox retelling of the Samson and Delilah story as seen through pagan eyes. Through India Edghills extensive research and talent for telling detail, this familiar tale takes on a whole new meaning.” --Naomi Ragen, author of The Ghost of Hannah Mendes and The Saturday Wife
Synopsis
A glorious and inventive retelling of the story of Samson and Delilah, this is a soaring tale of political turmoil, searing betrayal, and forbidden love.
About the Author
INDIA EDGHILL is a librarian living in the Mid-Hudson Valley in New York. She is the author of two other novels, Wisdom's Daughter, which was a Romantic Times Nominee for Best Historical Fiction, and Queenmaker.
Reading Group Guide
What is a "heart sister?" Do you think Aylah loved Delilah as much as Delilah loved Aylah?
Delilahs story takes place almost 4,000 years ago in Biblical times in Canaan. What was the political situation between the Hebrews and the Five Cities of Philistia during that time?
Why did Derceto trick Samson? How? What part did Aulykaran (Sandarins brother) play, and what role did Aylah play? Why?
Under what circumstances did Delilah see Aylah again after Aylah's wedding to Samson? Under what circumstances? Was Aylah content in her new life? When she revealed what Samsons true feelings had been, what did she urge Delilah to do? What did she conceal from Delilah?
Samson is a peaceful, patient, and wise man--and he has little tolerance for the Foxes, who wish him to lead them in war against the Philistines. Why didnt Samson become their leader in order to control them? Even as their leader, do you think he could have controlled the Foxes?
When did Delilah finally realize that Derceto had ordered Aylah killed? Why? What did Derceto want Delilah to do after this happened?
What emotions did Delilah feel when she found out about Aylahs death? What did she decide to do to avenge Aylahs death?
Why did Delilah tell Derceto that she had to go to the Seer at En-dor and obtain a prophecy? Did Derceto believe Delilah? What was the Temples plan to ensnare Samson in the palace in the Valley of Sorek? What was Delilahs plan to bring down Samsons enemies?
Where did Delilah send her daughter when her daughter was seven years old? Where did Delilah then go? What did you think of Delilahs actions?
The author uses light and dark images throughout Delilah. What are some of the symbols used to represent light and dark? How do these symbols support the story? How do these images help develop the characters Delilah, Samson, and Ayala?
Historical novels try to bring other times and other places alive. Do you feel that that Delilah let you visit Canaan and Philistia? Why or why not?