I DNF this book at about 10% there was a lot going on. A lot of people, places, and things. Two days after i dnfd my library hold came through with the audio. The audio is very entertaining and done very well. The narrators did an excellent job.

Growing up as the daughter of a preacher, we were always taught the Bible version of King Herod. Now because of my gender, I was always in trouble for asking questions growing up. I always wondered if that portrayal was his real life. Although this book does not necessarily answer that, it does give a different viewpoint into what his life might have been life. Although i did struggle with some parts and aspects of this book, it did seen to get more enjoyable and exciting at about 75% of the way through. I especially enjoyed the commentary at the end.

3.75⭐️

This is a retelling and a reclaiming of the character of Herod. History has not favoured Herod following his mention in the New Testament of the Bible.

This book, in modern times, will be described as a public relations campaign to ‘sell’ the person and character of Herod.

In this retelling by Hurston published 65 years after her death, she completely revamped and repackaged Herod not as a murderer but a fine soldier and statesman far intelligent beyond his years.

The beginning was boring as there were so many names, territories, provinces and relationships to keep up with. The preface/introduction was completely unnecessary and off putting.

But as the story developed and Herod’s personality grew, it became an exciting and engrossing story of alliances, betrayals, battles and ‘finemanship’.

It opened up the complexity of politics, the power-mongering, power-broking and over-ambition of the simplest of man.

Hurston sold Herod as an admirable figure, a friend of the Caesars’ and an overachiever who did more for the people than anyone else.

If you like historical fiction with a dash of political intrigue and drama then you should read this.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

The Life of Herod the Great is a fascinating and ambitious look at one of history’s most infamous figures, reexamined through Zora Neale Hurston’s sharp historical lens. Her writing is immersive, bringing Herod’s world to life with rich detail and political intrigue. However, as an unfinished manuscript, the narrative feels somewhat disjointed at times, and the editorial additions, while informative, can disrupt the flow. Still, it’s an essential read for Hurston enthusiasts and those interested in historical reinterpretations.

Would I recommend it? Yes—especially if you love history with a fresh perspective. But go in knowing it’s more of an academic curiosity than a fully polished novel.

I am so glad that this book was published. Zora Neale Hurston did something really interesting with this novel. She wrote a fictionalized history of a figure that we all think we know. This is NOT a retelling and it is not historical fiction (strictly speaking). Hurston grounded the story in so much research that “fictionalized history” is the only way I can really describe it accurately. She added practical and historical context to several of the well known and oft repeated scriptures about the coming of the Christ and Jerusalem as a whole. This story has all of the grandeur, treachery, deception, glory and epic battles you would expect from the life of the renowned King Herod. Be prepared to learn from and be entertained by this work.

What little I knew about the biblical figure, Herod the Great, was that he was a tyrant who ordered the slaughter of innocent children. Hurston’s historical fiction offering re-imagines Herod the Great with broad strokes of reinvention and perhaps a bit of wishful thinking. Herod is both treasured by his people and resented by a small group of elders. I’m not a bible scholar, but I really said multiple times while reading “it must be two Herods because who is Hurston talking about?” But, that’s the beauty of historical fiction. This book is full of the rich history of Judea, and it made me want to research more about the landscape during antiquity and the history of conflicts during the period, including between Palestine and Israel. It wouldn’t be a Hurston novel if there weren’t also a good dose of messiness. This book has strenuous familial relationships and power struggles that are as violent and cunning as any modern-day offering that tracks government coups, the rise and fall of kings and dictators, and the all-consuming nature of power.

The introduction of the book was a bit dense, and it slowed the pace of reading down so much that I didn’t think I would get to the actual story. However, I’m glad that I stuck with the book because Hurston’s gift of language helps deliver the necessary historical background while still engaging the reader with her creative portrayal of HER Herod. Although there are portions of the text that are missing or edited because of the state of the recovered transcripts, there are no major disruptions that impede the reader from following the story. Toward the end of the book, I wondered if Hurston left Herod unfinished because she wasn’t sure where to go with such a creative rewriting of Herod the Great, or if she simply lost interest and moved on to other projects. We will likely never know the answer to that, but I appreciate historians and archivists like Deborah Plant who work tirelessly to ensure that these gems are not lost to history. Do we need to publish every unfinished work an author has, posthumously? No, but I did enjoy this read, and now I want to learn more about the many figures introduced in the book and this period. If I could change one thing about my experience, I would do a hybrid, immersive reading with the audiobook. Blair Underwood and Robin Miles do a great job with the narration, and it helps to hear the pronunciations of the names and places in the book.

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This book was different than I expected. I was not immediately drawn in due to the history lesson in the beginning of the book, but after a while it all comes together and makes sense. You get all the drama, betrayal, a lot of sex and lies you expect for this time period. This book does a good job of making me question things I thought I knew in the Bible, as Herod isn’t widely mentioned,but I like the fact it makes me think. You do get a little humor in typical Zora fashion which is also a good point. All in all this is an enjoyable read, and I highly suggest the audible to accompany your reading it’s read by Blair Underwood, and Robin Miles

Special thanks to @hearourvoicestours & @amistadbooks for my gifted copy and @librofm for my ALC‼️

Some may know of Herod the Great King of Judea as a vile man and a murderer of the innocent. But Zora Neale Hurston brings to light a different King one with a religious and philosophical view who not only enriched Jewish culture but brought prosperity and peace to Judea.

During a time of war and imperial expansion Hurston shared her findings about Herod’s rise, his reign, and his waning days in letters to friends and associates. With mentions of other historical figures such as Marc Antony and Julius Caesar the book delves deep into vivid accounts of the political triumphs and domestic tragedies king Herod the Great faced.

🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂:

A book that’s definitely one of its kind be prepared for a thought-provoking history lesson. The novel perfectly captures the essence of a time filled with war, danger, and the fall of empires. I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this one but I can say it wasn’t for me definitely could’ve DNF. While the story is rich in historical detail there is a lack of depth with the characters and an uneven flow of the plot.

It was well-written to say the least but no real spark to make me love it. It was so much to take in I simply read it but grasped nothing from it. I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio which did no justice for the book in my opinion. But for this to be an unfinished work by Hurston the detail throughout was very extensive and she does an amazing job of dissecting every aspect of Herod’s life. Now, although I didn’t completely enjoy this one it doesn’t mean you won’t. If you’re a fan of Zora Neale Hurston or historical fiction with biblical references then you might enjoy this book.

For fans of Zora Neale Hurston. I enjoyed this so, so much. It was sometimes a challenge to keep in perspective that this is an imperfect, incomplete manuscript but that didn't stop me from completely consuming it. There are so many parallels to present day, not the least of which is the idea that it's a Wicked like origin story for Herod or, as my children called it, biblical fan fiction.

Writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston (best known for “Their Eyes Were Watching God”) is back on recently released book lists for “The Life of Herod the Great.” King Herod is portrayed as a villainous figure in the Bible, but Hurston’s take presents a charismatic leader navigating political intrigue with appearances by Cleopatra, Marc Antony, and Julius Caesar. This posthumously published book would have benefited from having Hurston see it to completion, but it’s a fascinating artifact of the writer’s work. (Recommendation will be sent to Word Smarts newsletter subscribers)

I recently finished Herod the Great: A Novel by Zora Neale Hurston, and I was genuinely captivated by it. This never-before-published work takes a fresh look at one of the Bible’s most infamous figures, offering a nuanced perspective that contrasts sharply with the traditional villainous portrayal. Hurston’s Herod is far from the tyrant many know from the New Testament. Instead, she paints him as a complex and philosophical leader—a man of vision who sought to bring prosperity and peace to Judea.

Hurston’s writing pulls you into the tumultuous world of the first century BCE, a time of political intrigue and empire-building. As an intimate of historical figures like Marc Antony and Julius Caesar, Herod’s life is presented as one marked by both immense triumphs and deep tragedies. Hurston portrays him as a king whose fate seemed to be both blessed and cursed, a man who navigated political assassinations, war, and a changing world.

I particularly enjoyed the way Hurston humanized Herod, showing not just his political acumen but also his personal struggles and philosophy. The manuscript itself is unfinished, but it’s clear Hurston was on the verge of completing a deeply insightful historical novel. The inclusion of letters Hurston wrote about Herod adds a personal touch, giving readers a sense of her passion and dedication to understanding this complex figure.

What makes the book even more intriguing is the scholarly commentary by Deborah Plant, which sheds light on Hurston’s pioneering approach to history and her belief that the story of Herod could teach us a lot about both the past and the present. Hurston’s Herod the Great is a fascinating read for anyone interested in history, philosophy, or just looking for a new take on an ancient story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.I’m

This is a must read for historical fiction readers who appreciate great character and world building.. Among many other vivid supporting players, Cleopatra, Marc Antony and Augustus Caesar are well-drawn characters, and Hurston’s account illustrates what a great diplomat Herod must have been to be friends with all three, yet escape with his life. In a nutshell, I loved this book!

I have been a fan of Zora Neale Hurston since I was in school and I love how all of her books are thought provoking. Herod the great was depicted as an evil character in the Bible. However, in this retelling Hurston brought a different perspective of the character, which made him out to be a complex yet strategic man. Overall, this book was an interesting read with tons of historical aspects.

Hi, I'm Lauren and l'm a Zora Neale Hurston super fan!! She has always been one of my favorite authors and when I learned that they were publishing a never before published novel of hers, and on her birthday no less...I was ECSTATIC!!!
And this novel, like so many of her other works is so gorgeous.
This historical novel is about Herod the Great, the wicked biblical figure everyone knows so well. But Hursron's retelling paints Herod in a different light and tells a story that gets one thinking! Hurston has the power to make history bingeable and transports readers time and worlds away.

In The Life of Herod the Great, Zora Neale Hurston’s vivid storytelling is complemented by Deborah G. Plant’s expert curation, bringing to life the complex, larger-than-life figure of Herod. This historical novel reimagines the life of the Judean king, delving into themes of power, ambition, and legacy with Hurston’s signature poetic prose. Plant’s editorial insights further enhance the narrative, grounding it in historical context while highlighting Hurston’s literary genius. A compelling and richly layered exploration of one of history’s most infamous rulers.

This is my least favorite Zora Neale Hurston book. I appreciate the effort and the historical significance of this text being rescued from destruction. However, it reads like a history book and King James biblical account. I went into reading this thinking it would be similar to Moses, Man of the Mountain which was more of a sweeping epic than The Life of Herod the Great.

Oh Zora, how i wish you'd been able to finish this! There are notes from the editor about what is missing and it just makes you yearn for more. That said, I still found this to be a fascinating take on the story of Herod, one of the great Biblical villains!

This book by the amazing Zora Neale Hurston was published this week on her birthday and deserves all the praise her stories are known for.
Zora takes the villain narrative of biblical figure King Herod and spins it on its head. Through her anthropological work and innovative storytelling she paints a portrait of Herod as a complex and multifaceted human. In this story we see him as a devoted son and family man, honorable statesman, and powerful and compelling ruler. Zora's style of writing in this novel is akin to a play or a sermon where the scenes are introduced and explained before the dialogue begins and brings the story to focus. It took me a while to vibe with it but once I got in the groove, the story took off. Her writing is definitely an acquired taste just as many exquisite things often are. This is a story of family, power, betrayal, and honor that transcends time.
To know that these words have sat unknown, unread and nearly destroyed for so long and have finally come to life is incredible. I'm honored to have had the chance to read and share my thoughts so others can be a part of keeping Ms. Hurston's remarkable legacy alive.
Thank you @netgalley for a chance to read and review

This retelling challenges us to reimagine our traditional view of a complex and conflicting character. Written as a historical fiction novel, Zora Neale Hurston demonstrates the complex character of a forward thinking king who brought greatness to the Judean Kingdom.

Intermingling historical context of the times and characters she paints a world that immediately draws the reader in and reveals the complexity of the culture that drives the decisions of the characters. With this text Plant reintroduces us to the genius and versatility of Hurston's writing and ability to bring great characters to life. This is a must read for historical fiction readers who appreciate great character and world building.

This book was provided as an eARC was by the publisher Amistad via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Life of Herod the Great, written decades ago, is a posthumous release by the late Zora Neale Hurston. It chronicles the life of Herod and attempts to shift the narrative of the story that is connected with him.

This book definitely reads like a history book, but I really enjoyed that feel. With Hurston also being an anthropologist. I can see the angle and approach that Hurston was taking when writing the book. This was thought-provoking for me in that since it is Christian mythology, she is challenging the reader to reconsider a life in which one believes that they know already that Herod was a villain.

I would also be remiss in mentioning the editor of this novel. Deborah Plant takes the manuscripts that were left over and pieces them together while also making notes to demonstrate the points that may have been lost through the incompleteness of the book as well as the documents being damaged due to fire. Plant’s work brought us here.

I would recommend this to any fan of Hurston, history/anthropology lovers, or anyone interested in the life of Herod.

I now need to read the audiobook because it’s narrated by actor Blair Underwood!