From sweet singer to giant slayer
Geraldine Brooks’ new novel The Secret Chord tells the story of David, a king of ancient Israel. He’s the same David who slew Goliath and is memorialized by Michelangelo in the statue of the same name.
His story, which begins in about 1,040 BC, is fascinating. He starts off as a bit of an outcast from his own family, who have sent him off to be a shepherd as a young boy. But it doesn’t take long before he kills Goliath, which gains him some measure of notoriety.
David is a musician, and as Brooks writes the story, he is “the sweet singer of Israel.” The book’s narrator is Natan, a prophet who can sometimes see the future.
Here’s how he describes David’s voice: “I had heard that singer’s voice fill a hall and bring tears to the cheeks of seasoned warriors.
“But I had also heard it on the battlefield, fierce and wild, carrying over the clash of arms and the cries of the dying.”
David is both a warrior and a musician, a lover and a fighter, gentle and savage. Brooks has drawn him in such a way that the depth of his character is clear; he’s a human who is complicated, vulnerable, cruel and kind.
Brooks is the author of four novels, including the Pulitzer Prize winning novel March, which retells Little Women from the perspective of the absent father, who is involved in the American Civil War. Her other novels include People of the Book, Caleb’s Crossing and Year of Wonders. With David’s story, Brooks succeeds in taking a complicated ancient story, one that skirts the line between history and legend, and bringing it vividly to life. David is portrayed through all of his life’s stages — from complete innocent, to young hero, to violent outlaw, to vindictive king, to remorseful elder. Brooks doesn’t hesitate to address the contradictions inherent in his story.
She not only builds and animates David’s character, but she does the same for many of the lesser-known characters who play minor roles in his story.
Natan, the prophet is one. David’s many sons and wives are also well-developed characters, with motivations and intelligence all their own.
David’s youngest son, Solomon, referred to as Shlomo in the book, is famous in his own right as a wise king who built a significant holy temple in Jerusalem. Solomon’s time as king is not addressed in The Secret Chord, however Brooks does give readers an interesting glance into his childhood and his schooling — Natan, the seer, plays a special role in educating Solomon.
I always open a Geraldine Brooks novel with anticipation of a very good read about a fascinating historical era. The Secret Chord did not disappoint.