Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers enchants with its lyrical prose and richly woven narrative, recounting the lives of four women during the siege of Masada. Praised for its historical detail and emotional depth, some readers found the pacing slow and the multitude of characters hard to follow. Overall, it’s a compelling blend of history and fiction.

A reader who enjoys The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman likely appreciates historical fiction infused with myth, magic, and strong female narratives. This novel will appeal to fans of The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, who relish deeply researched historical settings and complex characters.

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman is a historical fiction novel set in ancient Israel during the Siege of Masada from 70-73 CE, weaving a narrative through the perspectives of four resilient women—Yael, Revka, Aziza, and Shirah—each with a history of suffering and endurance, as they live and defend the imposing mountain fortress from the encroaching Roman forces. The novel contains descriptions of graphic violence, sexual violence, enslavement, and abuse.

Mysterious / Emotional / Contemplative / Dark / Fantastical

Alice Hoffman

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Dovekeepers and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Dovekeepers Summary

Background

The Dovekeepers Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Summer 70 CE: The Assassin’s Daughter”

Part 1, Pages 3-75

The Dovekeepers Part 1, Pages 3-75 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Pages 76-147

The Dovekeepers Part 1, Pages 76-147 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Summer 71 CE: The Baker’s Wife”

Part 2 The Dovekeepers Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Spring 72 CE: The Warrior’s Beloved”

Part 3 The Dovekeepers Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Winter 73 CE: The Witch of Moab”

Part 4 The Dovekeepers Part 4 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Dovekeepers Character Analysis

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Themes

The Dovekeepers Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Dovekeepers Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Dovekeepers Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Dovekeepers Essay Topics

The Dovekeepers

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Dovekeepers?

Reading Age

Book Details