David is a complex man, a noble warrior, a musician and poet, the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel and a prophet, according to the Bible. He is an important religious figure in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Even those who are not religious have heard of David's victory over the giant Goliath in the well-known Bible story. But who was David as a man and how did he rise from shepherd boy to king? In The Secret Chord , Geraldine Brooks brings this biblical figure to life, from his humble beginnings to his rule over Israel. I found her depiction of this man and his life to be engaging, but I found myself more intrigued by the life of Natan, the prophet who tells the story. He's just a boy when he becomes David's prophet, yet his abilities endear him to this man and their relationship is quite fascinating, despite the way it began. I did enjoy reading about David's complexity, though, from his brutality on the battlefield to his ability to render beautiful
My little corner of the web to reflect on the books I have read, and those that I want to read.