I have always loved fictionalized versions of historical events, let alone biblical ones. This book is an epic tale of love, tragedy, and faith, much like many of the stories in the Bible. Yet, despite how complex and often contradictory the tales in the Bible can be, it takes a master storyteller to weave them together and create a beautiful narrative, as seen in the story of David and Jonathan. I have nothing but praise for the author for pulling all the strings together. Eric's talent for storytelling is compelling, and it’s clear he treated the story and the characters with the utmost respect. The way he brought the characters of David and Jonathan to life feels so real and relatable. He was incredibly brave to tackle this topic in the Bible. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that it’s no longer about homosexuality; it’s about love, loyalty, duty, and the willingness to rise above human emotion in order to answer the call of faith. The book is beautifully written.
Yes! You're right. This is the story of the famous David, who killed the giant Philistine warrior Goliath by hurling a stone with a slingshot. In the Bible, God favored David, the prophet anointed him, and the people of Israel elevated him as one of the nation’s heroes. In the end, he became king.
But there is more to the story than what we commonly know, and that’s where a fiction writer works their magic to recreate the tale. Writers often captivate us with their ability to take historical or biblical events and imagine what might have happened beyond the written word. They read between the lines, connect the dots, and create compelling dialogue and scenes through extensive research. They then masterfully and eloquently turn those ideas into words, crafting a beautiful masterpiece like The Prince’s Psalm.
I enjoyed this book so much that I didn’t want it to end. As a reader, I was rooting for David and Jonathan’s love for each other, hoping that their bond and commitment would be enough to save everyone. But we all know the biblical tale and how the tragedy of their relationship led to David becoming king. Still, because the characters were created with such love and realism, it was easy for me to see them not just as biblical figures—a hero and a king—but as men whose love for each other transcended the grave.
I highly recommend this book to open-minded readers who just want to be entertained. This is definitely one of my top reads for the year, and I’m hoping the master, Eric Shaw Quinn, will write more books like this one.
Xoxo
