Reflections on “The Dark Side of Glory”
By Raven Kamali
Ten years ago, I embarked on a journey to write a historical novel
that was relevant to our times. But the journey was difficult. I am
passionate about ancient history and I wanted to inject as much
history as possible into the storyline. However, I was aware that
not everyone shared my passion. My aim was not to produce a novel
that would only appeal to those who love history. I wanted the
book’s appeal be all-inclusive. To accomplish such a goal, both
the history and the story had to be gripping, which meant that the
history had to be seen through the eyes of compelling characters with
compelling lives. Heroes and villains had to come alive and take the
reader into their world.
The story begins in 7BC Judea with Joshua and his family: his two
daughters (seven-year-old Abigail and fourteen-year-old Ruth), his
wife, Deborah, and his brother, Tobias. Joshua and Tobias are
juxtaposed as Ruth and Abigail are. Joshua is certain that he knows
the mind of God. Tobias isn’t sure if God even exists. Joshua is
ready to sacrifice his family for his faith. Tobias is ready to
sacrifice himself for them. The question of faith plays an important
part in the story and gives it a spiritual dimension. Joshua tries
to reach for the hand of God; Tobias for the meaning of life. Ruth’s
life is shaped by Joshua’s beliefs; Abigail’s by Tobias’s.
Abigail and Ruth are the protagonist and the antagonist respectively.
Abigail’s strength is nourished by love; Ruth’s by hatred. It
is love that enables Abigail to survive her darkest moments. Ruth’s
hatred offers her no protection. For all her sins against innocent
people, Ruth ultimately faces cosmic or divine retribution.
Raven Kamali
It was important for Abigail to never sully her hands with Ruth’s
blood. She must remain pure and innocent to the end. In the movie
Ben-Hur (1959), Judah does not kill Messala despite all
the evil the latter had inflicted on the former. It is divine/cosmic
justice that crushes Messala. Heroes that prevail without engaging
in the cruel actions of their adversaries, and yet either nature or
providence ensures that the world is still just, is a theme that I
find appealing.
The end of the story is one of resurrection and renewal. A new
family emerges and a young man finally completes the spiritual
journey that started with Joshua by touching the hand of God.
Raven Kamali Writes Roman Historical Fiction & Launches Her New Book. Read at
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