Hadas

The events in this novel take place over 2,000 years ago in Gamla, a village in Galilee that was at the heart of the Jewish revolt against the Romans. At the center of the story is Hadas, a bitter 13-year-old girl with a limp who desperately wants to win her father`s love. Ruth, Hadas`s older sister, is the prettiest girl in the village and the spitting-image of their mother, who died giving birth to Hadas. While the father adores Ruth, he ignores Hadas as well as their caretaker, the beautiful Elisheva, who is secretly in love with him. When the sisters grow up, Ruth marries and gives birth; Hadas learns about Elisheva`s past with her father and finds love too. But it is only when Gamla is attacked by the Romans that Hadas truly finds her way, taking an active part in preparing for the revolt. Overnight, she becomes an adult: she witnesses the destruction of her family and village, as well as the loss of her love. But she fights on until the revolt is crushed. Although she wishes she were dead, her sister`s baby son keeps her going and finally brings peace to her troubled life.