Author | Speaker | Educator
The Desert Songs Trilogy
Three books of Biblical fiction, each one as unique as its main character.
Book 1: The Scrolls of Deborah
Who was this woman who was important enough to receive one line in Genesis, yet was written about in only one line? Deborah, a wise woman from the tribe of Abraham and Sarah, Rebekah’s nursemaid, Auntie, a matriarch barely mentioned, tells her own story.
Book 2: Seventeen Spoons
Joseph, who we all think we know, shows us who he really was. Simultaneously favored and overlooked, his exceptional childhood laid the foundation for an exceptional destiny. How did Joseph the dreamer become Joseph who lived his dreams come true?
Book 3: The Song of the Blue Bird
Serrah, known in Exodus as the daughter of Asher and known in The Desert Songs Trilogy as Blue, was the only Israelite mentioned in the Torah as having gone down to Egypt and come out of Egypt. In her book — in her song — she shares not only what happened in between those two events, but also about before and after.
Book 1 of The Desert Songs Trilogy
by Esther Goldenberg
The Scrolls of Deborah
“The Scrolls of Deborah immerses the reader in the daily life of an ancient world that feels both familiar and also utterly new. Stories of the "lost" or "hidden" women of the Torah take center stage as the characters grow through friendship, motherhood, love, loss, and joy. This is a beautiful book, an ode to sisterhood, and an invitation for the reader to reconsider often-told stories with a fresh eye.”
Book 2 of The Desert Songs Trilogy
by Esther Goldenberg
Seventeen Spoons
"This novel finds new avenues for wonder in the biblical tale. Joseph’s tenderness centers it, and his relationships with women give it particular depth.... Joseph’s extraordinary empathy and penchant for kindness see the story through to its redemptive end." -- Foreword Reviews
Have you already read and loved The Scrolls of Deborah? Leave your own review here.
What readers are saying about
The Desert Songs Trilogy
“The central theme that lingers in my thoughts long after reading is "connection." In this novel, I found myself deeply connected to the Biblical characters in a way I had never experienced before.”
…….
“Esther Goldenberg has crafted a masterpiece that leaves readers craving more of her rich storytelling and profound exploration of human connections.”
…….
“I found it personally comforting, challenging, and wondrous to be invited into a contrasting, more mystical, feminine and embodied way of connecting to the Divine.”
…….
“In the tradition of the now classic novel The Red Tent, Esther Goldenberg offers a vivid retelling of Biblical times and the roles that women played in establishing love of God and the creation of ancient traditions. Adding new ideas and interpretations, the author gives us a detailed, multi-sensory story that is engrossing and memorable.”
…….
“The Scrolls of Deborah is a joyous and moving retelling of the Biblical stories of our foremothers. Told with a fresh, insightful voice, this retelling illuminates our ancient stories with beauty and nuance. I highly recommend it!”
…….
Have you already read and loved Seventeen Spoons? Leave your own review here.
“Goldenberg brings another icon of the Torah to life in her latest work of historical fiction, Seventeen Spoons. Joseph is brought into the light as not only Jacob’s youngest son, tormented by his elder brothers, but as a man whose innate wisdom, intuition, and ability to know is fostered by the women of his tribe. Goldenberg inserts detail and compassion into a well-known story only told before in broad strokes and at a high level. Her novel answers the question ‘what made Joseph extraordinary?’ A truly pleasurable read for lovers of historical fiction.”
…….
“Seventeen Spoons took bible stories and expanded them, put them into context, and made them extremely readable. Also, this book made Joseph more human and accessible than he is in the original stories. I loved The Scrolls of Deborah (the first book in this trilogy), but I think I liked Seventeen Spoons even more.”
…….
“I enjoyed getting to spend more time with the biblical character Joseph, and to imagine what his life was like from his own point of view. It was also nice to hear more of the women’s side of his story…. Goldenberg has crafted a story that brings this biblical family to life.”
…….
“Seventeen Spoons is a memorable journey with the ancestors. The book reimagines well-known stories from the Bible in new and colorful ways. I found myself wondering, “How will they deal with this character/ scene/ problem?” Each time there was a novel, insightful, and meaningful way to look at the text I thought I knew. If you know and love the stories of Genesis, you will find much here to provoke thought and discussion. If the stories of Genesis are new to you, you have a rich world to enter! Highly recommend for all.
…….
Meet Esther
A native Chicagoan, Esther Goldenberg is an author and educator and the mother of fabulous children. Once a reluctant reader, but always someone who enjoyed a good story, she developed a passion for writing. Her debut Biblical fiction novel, The Scrolls of Deborah, was released in February of 2024. The much anticipated second installment in the trilogy, Seventeen Spoons, will be launched in February of 2025. Esther continues to write and teach students of all ages, and also enjoys adventures with her children, chanting with her neighbors, and walks in nature.