Book Review: Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

Dear Friends,

I was drawn to and interested in reading "Isaiah's Daughter", Mesu Andrews' latest biblical fiction novel, because I’ve already read a couple of her books, and she has become one of my favourite authors. I enjoy reading biblical fiction by various writers and learning more about the context and the culture of Bible times. I also like to read and study the Bible and I find that Mesu Andrews’ novels help to bring the Bible to life. 

Mesu spends time researching for the content of her books. Her book includes what we know from the Bible, what Mesu has learned from the Jewish Midrash and her God-given imagination. She expertly weaves everything together to create an enjoyable and informative read. 

The idea of Hephzibah being the daughter of Isaiah comes from Jewish tradition and Mesu expands on this to bring the story of Hephzibah to life. 

There is a beautiful conversation between Ishma (the name given her at birth, but which is later changed to Hephzibah) and Aya, Isaiah’s wife, in which Aya explains to Ishma that she too can learn to hear Yahweh’s voice. She uses the example of Ishma and her doves to explain how hearing God’s voice comes through building up trust and familiarity. Something which is also true for us if we long to hear God’s voice for ourselves. 

One of the themes in the novel is learning to trust God’s plan for the future, even if present circumstances seem to be telling us the opposite. When Ishma questions God’s purpose for her Isaiah replies, “His plan for you in this moment is to be faithful where you are. That’s a truth we must all embrace.” I took this as wise advice for myself too. 

As we read through the novel we see Ishma grow from a child to a queen, and just as she grows and develops physically, we see her faith in God grow. She learns that real peace can only be found in a relationship with God, not in other things or other people. 

In her book, Mesu gives us some of Isaiah’s prophecies along with their interpretations. Whilst still making it clear that sometimes people, even prophets may not always understand them in the way that they are meant by God. It doesn't mean God's given prophesy to a person is wrong, it just means it has been misunderstood by people. It was interesting to read the interpretations, particularly those which were not familiar to me. It was good to consider their meaning from a different perspective. I found her interpretation of one of the prophesies which pointed to King Hezekiah as a foreshadowing of Jesus the Messiah particularly interesting.

The Readers Guide at the end of the novel is such a good idea. The questions Mesu poses can help readers to think some more on the biblical truths mentioned in the book and how they apply to us today. They are also great for book groups to use. 

I do find some parts of the Bible, especially in the Old Testament difficult to understand. So I really liked that this book helped me to understand a bit more about the lives of some of the key people associated with the time of the Kings of Judah. 

One way I determine whether I think an author has written a good biblical fiction novel is if it gives me a desire to go back to the Bible and read for myself what has been referred to in the novel. Mesu's novel did just this for me. I want to read again the book of Isaiah, and the sections in 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles which relate to King Hezekiah.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading historical novels, is interested in Bible times or who enjoys having the Bible brought to life in a fresh way.

Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews can be bought from a variety of places such as Amazon, Book Depository and Eden

Vicki