Friday, May 5, 2017

Book Review: Inspired by Art: The Last Concubine by Uvi Poznansky


The David Chronicles is a series of short books that tell the story of King David from his fight with the giant Goliath to his old age where he is warmed by the concubine, Abishag. It is told through the medium of art: paintings, sculpture, etchings, coins, stamps and other works. There are poems and Bible verses to accompany each artwork and they are selected in the order that tells the particular story.
I've started with the ending book, Inspired by Art: The Last Concubine which tells the story of Abishag, a beauty selected to sleep with David in his old age. There is nothing sexual going on, just an attempt to figuratively validate the king's potency as ruler of ancient Israel. The author has selected an interesting collection of art from the masters to much lesser known works. It is an interesting (and new to me) way to tell a story like this in book form.
My only quibble is that I wished there had been a blurb that gave a short version of the story for those not familiar with this part of King David's life. I understand that these are companion books to the author's historical novels, so readers of those books would have been more knowledgeable. I found this an interesting new way to tell an old story.



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