Tamar's Story: Diary of an Exile

Tamar's Story is a 'coming of age' novel set during the exile of the Jews to Babylon at the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. Surrounded by the temples and the many gods of the Babylonians, why should Tamar choose to worship Yahweh - the god who has sent his people into exile and is threatening to destroy his chosen city, Jerusalem? And what should she make of Ezekiel, the prophet of Yahweh, who is popularly believed to be mad? Through her relationships with friends, neighbours and family, Tamar gradually sifts truth from fiction. She observes the joys and sorrows of her brother, Reuben, and her friend, Peninnah, as they enter adulthood, but is taken by surprise by her own heart. Babylonian society still has unwelcome secrets to reveal, and Tamar finds that she has a lot to learn about faith, commitment and the love of God.