10.02.09
Drawing in the Dust
Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein
Drawing in the Dust tells the story of Page Brookfield and her search for life’s meaning in ancient ruins in Israel. Page is an archeologist whose father died when she was young. Since his death, she has been focused upon her work and denying herself a normal life of love and family.
Page, after 13 years working at sites in Israel, takes advantage of an opportunity to dig beneath the house of an Arab couple who believe that significant relics reside there. Page agrees to investigate.
There is much to enjoy about this novel. Zoe Klein paints pictures in exquisite detail of the archeological dig. We witness the slow careful uncovering of relics and the excitement and joy of each of the prized pieces. I liked the constant reference to Biblical history and Page’s regular utterance of relevant Biblical versus.
Drawing in the dust is a multilevel love story. Jeremiah, the Biblical prophet and Anatiya, his lover, died in 556 B.C. and were buried together in love.
Inspired by the spirit of love released when the coffin of Jeremiah and Anatiya is opened, suddenly the world appears to be in love.
While working together, two couples fall in love and challenge cultural barriers. Dalia, a Jew and Walid, an Arab, become lovers and marry. Page, a Christian, and Mortichai Masters, an Orthodox Jew, begin a relationship that must overcome both tradition and prejudice.
I found several faults with Drawing in the Dust. Zoe Klein struggles in drawing a modern female character. Page Brookstone is a flesh and blood woman who is professional, emotional, and often timid. Page, an archeologist specializing in Middle Eastern cultures, continually demonstrates professional competence by directing others in the intimate details of gently digging artefacts and identifying relics. But Page is clearly a female stereotype who is attracted and distracted by males, becomes frustrated but passive with male barriers, and frequently is pictured as reacting in a lame, non assertive manner. She frequently avoids confrontation and often seem to collapse and place herself in compromising situations. With minor revisions, Page could have been an exciting character.
Many scenes in the story seem irrelevant or have irritating loose ends. Once Page is assaulted but we never learn why. In another scene Page, without provocation, decides to hide under a sink. In a third, although Page is sought by New York police, she calmly go to the airport, flies to Israel and police involvement somehow ends.
Drawing in the Dust is potentially a significant novel, I rate it four stars.
Inspired by the spirit of love released when the coffin of Jeremiah and Anatiya is opened, suddenly the world appears to be in love.
While working together, two couples fall in love and challenge cultural barriers. Dalia, a Jew and Walid, an Arab, become lovers and marry. Page, a Christian, and Mortichai Masters, an Orthodox Jew, begin a relationship that must overcome both tradition and prejudice.