The narrative contains plot holes, and Solomon found its basis to be offensive. It wasn’t until Solomon revisited the story as an adult that she realized even a children’s book version of the story doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Book of Esther is a story from the Hebrew Bible about a humble Jewish girl who becomes the queen of Persia and saves her people from being killed. Solomon’s fascination with the Book of Esther’s contradictions, the almost mythical setting of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her own naiveté about modern gender equality come together in her epic third novel. And the backbone behind both of these narratives is the story of Esther, the orphaned Hebrew girl who will become the Queen of Persia. During Nixon's "reign," Vivian is publicly humiliated when her senator husband reveals a dark side of himself. In 2016, Lily agonizes over maintaining a feminist perspective on her identity as a stay-at-home mom and second wife. “The Book of V.” by Anna Solomon threads together the stories of three women during three distinctly different eras, yet somehow finds these characters repeating eerily similar refrains. What do a 2016 Brooklynite, 1970s senator’s wife and ancient Jewish hero have in common? A lot more than you’d think. Facebook Email This article is more than 3 years old.
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