What would a modern Esther" look like? The answer can be found in the striking novel Writing the Book of Ester by Louise Domaratius, the perfect book for Purim.

Author Louise Domaratius transports us to Iran to explore the life of an Iranian-Jewish journalist in the critically acclaimed novel Writing the Book of Ester, a novel perfect for reading at the time of Purim, with its themes of justice, identity, and tolerance.

Costa Mesa, CA (PRWEB) February 7, 2004--Author Louise Domaratius transports us to Iran to explore the life of an Iranian-Jewish journalist in the critically acclaimed novel Writing the Book of Ester (Quality Words In Print). In Ester, a teacher develops a relationship with her Iranian student who has a Muslim father and a Jewish mother. The teacher indulges a fascination with this mother, an imprisoned Jewish-Iranian journalist, by creating a book" in which she draws parallels between her and the Biblical Queen Esther.

Domaratius, an author who traditionally explores cross-cultural and -religious relationships in her novels, admits to a particular fascination with Esther, Jewish wife of a Persian king. The ongoing tensions in Jewish-Muslim relations, the current focus on womens rights in Iran, and the recent awarding of the Nobel peace prize to female Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi make the issues addressed in Writing the Book of Ester (tolerance, identity, and justice) especially compelling and timely.

A Presbyterian from South Orange, New Jersey, Domaratius says she first developed an interest in Esther through grade-school religion classes: I did love those heroic tales we learned in Sunday school. I have to admit; I had a bit of an issue with Queen Esther, though, while writing my story. When I compared her to Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego, who weathered the fire of the furnace rather than abjure their faith, not to mention Daniel, who faced the famished lions, Esther seemed on the devious side. In order to infiltrate" the kings harem, she never let anyone know she was something other than a bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool Persian maiden. On reflection, it seemed to me, however, that this sin" of omission was a judicious decision. If Esther had proclaimed her Jewishness from the palace rooftop, what good would that have done? She wouldnt have been there when her people needed her...Esther was a smart, eloquent woman who also knew when to keep her mouth shut." Similarly, the Ester of the novel is a brave and eloquent woman, though the oppressive forces of the fundamentalist regime under which she lives constrain her efforts toward justice, in one of the more dramatic storylines of the book.

In her effort to accurately portray some of the complex issues facing Jews and Muslims as they try to coexist, Domaratius studied the messages of rabbis and scholars:

André Malraux is famous for having said that the twenty-first century would be religious, or it would not be. A French rabbi, Philippe Haddad, has revised Malrauxs word to inter-religious. Philippe Haddad has written a fascinating book in collaboration with a Muslim scholar, Ghaleb Bencheikh (LIslam et le Judaïsme en Dialogue). The Judeo-Islamic dialogue, incidentally, is a much-needed one wherein the finer points" definitely and urgently require our attention. Philippe reminds us that when were certain our beliefs represent Truth, were also in the habit of thinking that opposite our Truth stands falsehood. The important thing to remember, he says, is that opposite Truth, we can also find Truth. We must learn from one another, and it is by confronting our different heritages that we discover the countless bonds of our common humanity--yes, even our common spirituality. Queen Esther, wife of the Persian King, was responsible for transforming Ahasuerus ancient kingdom into a realm of tolerance."

A reviewer from the Association of Jewish Libraries says of the novel Writing the Book of Ester: We are compelled to think through and define our own beliefs on the issues of love, lust, loyalty and loathing. Do we despise or feel compassion for people who hurt others and make mistakes? Do we accept or reject the relationships that develop ...? Can we consent to trickery and deceit, in exchange for safety and freedom? If put to the test, how far would we stretch our morals and ethics? This book offers us a mature look at the real world."

For the thoughtful reader interested in a stunning, contemporary tale of the modern face of tolerance, this highly recommended and ... remarkably engaging read" (according Lilith Magazine) is perfect reading for Purim, the upcoming Feast of Esther. In the words of author Louise Domaratius: Long may her spirit reign!"

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR A READERS COPY of Writing the Book of Ester, please contact Holly C. Gruber at Quality Words In Print, (714) 436-5700 or hgruber@qwipbooks.com.

Writing the Book of Ester by Louise Domaratius (hardcover, 304 pages, $21.95) was published by Quality Words In Print in 2003, and is available through major internet booksellers and selected bookstores.

Quality Words In Print is an independent publisher of literary fiction and non-fiction based in Costa Mesa, California.