The League of Lilith: A Thriller with Soul

Review:"This is a page-turning book, an intriguing story of a nondominant culture that dips into the myth of Lilith and provides readers with another lens on patriarchal religion. Likable and unlikable, the characters are engaging. Powerful friendships among the women transcend barriers of class and race. The novel draws on current feminist Biblical interpretation in a way that is theologically sound without being didactic.
An enthralling yarn, which would be ideal for book group discussion."Rev Dr Margaret Mayman, St Andrew's on The Terrace, WellingtonDescription:Sarai, a Biblical Studies lecturer, learns a great and terrible truth - a core knowledge she must impart to a successor. Will she choose society wife, Jen, or bondage and discipline prostitute, Kat? The lives of these two women collide in unexpected ways around Sarai, while in the wings lurk a coven of Wiccan witches, and the dark desires and dealings that threaten Jen's husband, Wilkin.
To what lengths will he go to get the heir he desperately desires?Has Womenkind surrendered its sacred duty? Does Sarai know the secret to the world's survival or has a life of radical feminism driven her insane?Set in pre-quake Christchurch, The League of Lilith is an explosive novel that builds relentlessly to a dramatic climax. More praise for The League of Lilith:".a book that really captures my interest and engages my head and my heart.
Do you recognise Lilith of the title? In Jewish mythology she was Adam's first wife, having been created at the same time and from the same earth as Adam but who left Eden because she refused to become subservient to him. Alternatively, Lilith was regarded as a demon. Many of the writers who contributed to the development of modern-day Wicca express special reverence for Lilith, regarding her as the embodiment of the Goddess and protector of women but who subsequently became demonised due to the rise of patriarchy.
The League of Lilith interweaves themes of women, sexuality, pregnancy and childbirth with chauvinism, and contrasts contemporary attitudes to women with those of the Bible. The story concerns the lives of women from very different backgrounds and their male partners, whose paths intersect in a suspenseful chronicle of relationships. It explores 'a world obsessed with power and control and the abandonment of the ancient, sacred duty of women.' The multi-layered, interwoven story is beautifully structured and maintains a cracking pace, with different strands of contemporaneous action intriguingly counter-pointed, while passages of reminiscence inform the motivations of the characters.
The contrasting of Christian, Biblical and Wiccan stories, liturgies and values draws on academic, Biblical and feminist research but the authors neither preach nor denigrate any particular faith message. They also indulge in an occasional bit of fantasy. This is, after all, a novel and not a lecture. As they state, '.the scholarship is sound and we hope it gives people food for thought and leads some to realise there are enlightened ways of looking at Scripture, and of course, that caring relationships are the best of human values.'The League of Lilith is a ripping good yarn but, at the same time, it can stand up proudly among the best of international fiction of relationships, religion and suspense.
This is a book to enjoy reading yourself, and which would also make an ideal Christmas gift for someone who enjoys a good story along with concepts to ponder."Shirley Dixon, published in Touchstone, November 2011.