3 out of 4 stars
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Can history ever be truly objective, when it serves as proof of the conqueror’s victory? L.M. Affrossman’s work of historical fiction, titled Simon’s Wife, tries to provide a fresh and objective retelling of history during the tumultuous Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Set in a male-dominated society when women are only seen but not heard, Affrossman attempts to do this by telling the story through the perspective of a historical female figure that we do not know much about today.
The reader is first introduced to Shelamzion bat Judah’s character, the titular wife of the historical figure Simon bar Giora, one of the major leaders of the rebel Judean factions. Shelamzion is currently held in Roman captivity, where she strikes a deal with Cornelius Grammaticus, her Roman gaoler and a historian looking to gain recognition by publishing a “true recording” of the Jewish revolt: Shelamzion will tell her version of the Siege of Jerusalem in exchange for more information about her missing son. As the date of her execution looms, both of them strike up an unlikely and hesitant friendship.
Firstly, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Affrossman has a beautiful way with language, and it shows up clearly in her writing. Her descriptions are amazingly detailed and realistic, which not only contributes to the reader’s level of immersion, but also serves as evidence of the immense amount of research poured into writing the book. For example, with a vivid insight into the everyday routines of the Romans and Jews, it furthers the reader’s insight into how the lives of these people were like back in 70 CE. Personally, this also helped me to gain a better understanding of the complexities present in various characters found in the novel. Furthermore, the threads of the plot are woven together seamlessly, which makes for an intriguing and engaging read.
What I particularly appreciated about the story is Affrossman’s characterisation of Shelamzion. Shelamzion is a well-developed and multi-dimensional character, which allows me to relate to her on multiple levels despite our obvious and vast difference in historical backgrounds. Moreover, all major characters and their relationships in the story are fleshed out properly – this bestows upon Simon’s Wife a level of authenticity, of realness, that is not commonly found in most books today.
Nonetheless, whilst the story is very compelling, it is also rather dense. The rich description and large character cast unintentionally slow the story’s pacing, and it can get slightly difficult at times to keep up with the action, as well as to keep track of the various characters present. In addition, I would also recommend that a short introduction of the Siege of Jerusalem be included at the beginning for readers to have a better grasp of the actual historical event before diving straight into the story.
Therefore, I am giving Simon’s Wife a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I have taken off a single star due to the reasons listed above and the presence of a few very minor grammar errors. I would definitely recommend this to people looking for an intense and vibrant read with a solid plot and character cast. If you are looking for a character-driven piece of excellent writing, as well as to learn more about the Siege of Jerusalem, this is definitely the book for you.
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Simon's Wife
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I also found myself confused at the beginning and had to search for more information. Thanks for stopping by, Bianka! (:
