Havah: The Story of Eve
A whisper in my ear. Wake!
Much has been written about Eve (called Havah in this novel), the seductress who ate the forbidden fruit and thus brought about the fall of mankind, but I doubt her heart has ever been so deeply plumbed as in this lyrical novel by Tosca Lee. Havah comes to consciousness in the Garden of Eden, a place where she experiences a sublime intimacy with both the creator and the creation (most particularly with her husband, Adam).
Havah is a fascinating novel about human relationships at the dawn of time. Although Havah’s marriage begins in the perfection of Paradise, and then lasts nearly a thousand years, its very ordinariness is amusing. When Havah and Adam are cast out of Eden, they must acquire all the skills necessary for their survival, including hunting, farming, and midwifery––and Adam must learn to deal with a wife who experiences depression and moodiness. As time passes, and their offspring multiply and spread out over the region, there is a blossoming not only of art and trade, but also of infidelity, idolatry, and murder. Filled with beautiful imagery, Havah is an enjoyable read about the “Great Mother” of us all.
