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.”
Unveiling the ancient tableaus of the desert, The Scrolls of Deborah is a profound feminist retelling of Biblical stories that immerses readers in a breathtaking exploration of female relationships through the story of Rebekah and Deborah.
The Scrolls of Deborah transports us to the awe-inspiring landscapes of the past and uncovers the intertwined lives of Rebekah, a revered matriarch in Judaism, and her devoted handmaiden Deborah. In this mesmerizing tale, their strength, wisdom, and love take center stage, shaping their destinies amid a world steeped in tribal tradition.
With poignant vulnerability, The Scrolls of Deborah, a work of Biblical fiction and the first installment of the Desert Songs Trilogy, illuminates the hidden stories of these remarkable women, whose pivotal roles have often been overshadowed. Against the backdrop of the desert and the opulence of palaces, the narrative weaves a tapestry of captivating tales. Each page reveals stories filled with heartbreak and inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the very fabric of religious thought.
Through the telling of Deborah’s day-to-day life, the book exposes the profound beauty of connection and community, showcasing the transformative power of shared experiences. It invites readers to witness the immense strength found in the bonds between women and how their choices reverberate across generations.
The Scrolls of Deborah is a testament to the enduring legacy of these extraordinary women whose stories challenge and reshape our understanding of history, faith, and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.
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What readers are saying about
The Scrolls of Deborah
“Esther Goldenberg's remarkable debut in historical fiction, The Scrolls of Deborah, is an absolute page-turner that left me awestruck.”
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“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.”
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“Esther Goldenberg has crafted a masterpiece that leaves readers craving more of her rich storytelling and profound exploration of human connections.”
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“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.”
“I felt thrilled by the loving, compassionate, surprising evocation of this woman’s point of view, which compellingly complements the Biblical patriarchal perspective. The fluid, often eloquent prose fleshes out a moving sense of how the biblical lives of some well-loved characters in Genesis were lived.”
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“The Scrolls of Deborah took me on a beautiful personal journey of love, friendship and female empowerment. The book weaves stories of connection between women and their struggles and strength toward their amazing life affirming goals and the love that comes from giving of self. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a life changing, epic novel.”
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“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 wonderful and creative work of storytelling, coupled with some of the most ingenious modern Biblical hermeneutics I have read. The way the sacrifice of Isaac is retold is nothing shirt of brilliant. The author has done such a good job in bringing the characters to life that I felt like I got to know Abraham and Sarah, Rebbeca and Issac, Jacob and Esau, and of course Deborah, as never before. Just as important, she reimagined their stories in such a way that the familiar Biblical stories became new, intriguing and exciting to read. I highly recommend this book, as a work of fiction, as an interpretation of an ancient story, as an inspiration for all of us today.
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“I loved reading it, and recommend it highly.”
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“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!”
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.