The biblical reference to Herod the Great is limited to one chapter in the Book of Matthew about Herod's order of the Massacre of the Innocents, his response to hearing about the birth of Jesus. We only know about this (which many historians do not believe happened) and nothing else about his life. In the late 1940s and into the 1950s, the author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston researched and wrote this novel about Herod the Great. She was working on it until she passed away in 1960 and it was never published until 65 years after her death. We almost lost this work to history when some of Zora's papers were burned, including pages and sections from this manuscript. We owe a debt of gratitude to Patrick DuVal for saving this document and others from the nick of time.

In this novel, Hurston writes about the historical Herod instead of the folklore Herod. She writes about a figure who should be admired and revered, not feared (unless you were his enemy). We learn about his leadership style, his looks, his relationships with women, his affinity to the Essenes, his infrastructure legacy, and so much more.

In a 1953 letter to Burroughs Mitchell, editor of Scribner's, Hurston said, "The story, his actual life, has EVERYTHING," and she was SO RIGHT! I am utterly fascinated by this book because it significantly expands my knowledge about Herod the Great. I learned so much that I had no idea about. I did not know he was contemporaries with Cleopatra and Marc Antony. I love reading about antiquity, the various leaders, how they governed, and their messiness, etc. In quintessential Zora fashion, she humanized everyone, showing their flaws, especially members of Herod's biological family and his in-laws. There were times I laughed out loud when reading some of the back and forth between the characters, and it made me ask, how much of this happened in real life?

Hurston's work has now inspired me to read more information about Herod the Great to see what the historical record has to say about this mostly unknown figure's life.

Anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston's unfinished book about Herod the Great seems like a reclaiming of the narrative, and of history. This is the historical Herod, not the biblical Herod known mostly for the massacre of the innocents. Fascinating.

The Life of Herod the Great is deep, and even though it is told as historical fiction, it feels like a history book. I found myself wanting to write out details and draw some family trees and graphs! I think this response comes from my being a Christian and knowing of Herod from the context of Christ's being sent to the cross, and nothing more. I am not acquainted with him as a deliverer of people, a saver or a great architect of society. I think for many of us, this book is the exposure we need to further our own studies of history and how the Bible story that we we've been taught, matches up (or not) to the history of the land. Context is everything, and this book provides plenty of it. To accompany my reading of this book, I ended up buying the audio book version as well, narrated by beautiful voice of Blair Underwood, this story takes on an additional dimension of character and color.

Over on my booktube channel (Hannah's Books), I shared this book in my description of exciting books forthcoming in January. Link to the particular discussion: https://youtu.be/_0NqzNODjeE?si=jJcDmVnc4voIsaSm&t=78

I requested this book very soon after this author passed away. I must say that her legacy definitely still live on. Was not disappointed and always will love her writings.

I am in no way a Bible buff but I remember from Sunday school about learning of Herod . Yup go right over to the book of Matthew. That being said there isn’t a lot of info. When I signed up for this tour I was excited to see how the author would spin Herods story and I was impressed. The story crafted for the readers of Hurston was impressive to say the least. She gave the reader a complicated man, but Human & flawed. The story at some points came across like a history book. I also felt The author challenged the little biblical knowledge known at certain points of Herod. She did a great job of character development. His political and religious traits were at the forefront in my mind as the story progressed. I Enjoyed this read. I however felt like the flow didn’t keep pace in certain areas. Thank you @hearourvoicestours for the invite to join this tour also for the ARC.

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This book, besides being written by a master of literature, will be of great interest for folks interested in the Palestine of Jesus of Nazareth. With descriptive language, we get a vivid three dimensional portrait of a character that had previously been one dimensional in the New Testament.

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.