Ishtah - The Prostitute's Daughter

I enjoyed this book, it was well written and had a clever surprise twist ending.

The plot was weak. Several things were repeated. There was no story. This was a tedious read and it could have been more.

Enjoyed this read. The author does a good job with character development and plot which is nice because so often writers are good with one or the other, but not both. Recommended!

What I liked...The first thing I liked about this story is the picturesque words used to describe the place, Assyria.`The pool seemed misplaced, lying there in the sun-baked earth like a large, unblinking eye, staring up undaunted at the sky'.The ending of the story left me stunned. Of all the scenes imaginable, I had not expected that. [That's all for spoilers you guys will get from me!!!]What I didn't like...The need to know more about what happened. I really wish I could see where Ishtah went after that. The author, Ella Hansing, has created such an atmosphere that upon completion, I almost felt cheated. How dare it end so soon? This short story has all the ingredients of turning into a full fledged novel. [Ella, did you get the hint? :)]Check out the full review at:[...]

603 BC, Ishtah (f, Assyrian, narrator) lives in with her mother Baila (prostitute, bi-sexual, Assyrian) in Arrapha. She is basically mom’s slave.Ishtah must do the chores, tend to mom’s every personal needs, go & fetch water at the well & scrimp what she can at the local market to eat.Arrapha now divided into 4 entrances/sectors was once struck by the plague. It now is war torn, and poverty stricken, the water supply is limited & the fields at time are barren. Most of all the population declined & construction no longer existed.Hesba (f) is kind of other mother. Her husband is a field worker. They have 2 children a son Aeros & a daughter Phaena.Ishtah, her mother & Hesba & her family all live in the lower district.Ishtah & Phaena who were once childhood friends, now both of age must prepare their selves for the festival & ceremony of Ashur. It requires them to dance in order to get a wealthy good husband.The festival of Ashur (God) had begun. The girls were all lined up at the temple steps. The bull had been sacrificed.How will the festival of Ashur turn out for Ishtah?Some decisions in life are never easy! I remember a song when I was a teen, “who do you turn to?” “where do you run to?” 1 day at a time…The cow at the beginning & Baila at the end?Wow, put this story in 2014, are things in a lot of 3rd world countries any different? In a graduate counseling class I did a research paper & PP class presentation on human trafficking, big business.A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written BC adventurous could be true-to-life cultural book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great BC cultural movie, or mini TV series. A book you will not want to put down. Condensed & captivating. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF)Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

A mother's choice of living left a young woman to shy away from the towns people. Mocked constantly she which to disappear into the shadows but no matter what she does she is brought into the light. First by the very women that despised her mother, being jealous of the men she gather.From a older woman who is like a mother to her, helping her to be a person beyond what she believed.And the young man Aeros who refuse to let go but accept her for who she is. Only Ishtah.The story telling was quick, flowing and very short. But in it we could learn about her struggles, surviving and her desperate desire to move away. To seek new avenues to better herself.Filled with turmoil and anguish and a deep hate for her mother Ishtah finally break free. A freedom at a price but also with a purity that left you speechless at the end.

Disturbing yet fascinatingWhat a wonderfully written book. It was fascinating and disturbing all in one. The writer captured you imagination right from the beginning. I hoped and hoped that Ishtah’s mother would not find one of her scheming ways and try and persuade her daughter to follow in her footsteps. It was easy to visualise the settings of the book and follow Ishtah’s thoughts and anguish throughout this journey. All very intriguing indeed. It left you wondering at the end which of course is always a good thing. Highly recommended. Please take you time to digest this read.

I expected not big things from this book but I managed however to get very disappointed....The story is very long, the rhythm is really really slow and maybe the point of the author was to emphasize the boring life of Ishtah but I got fed up of the "going to take water/baking bread" phasis which repeated itself everyday.....I waited all long the action to start, which never happened.....Not recommending it at all and really surprised about all the good critics.....

Disturbing yet fascinatingWhat a wonderfully written book. It was fascinating and disturbing all in one. The writer captured you imagination right from the beginning. I hoped and hoped that Ishtah’s mother would not find one of her scheming ways and try and persuade her daughter to follow in her footsteps. It was easy to visualise the settings of the book and follow Ishtah’s thoughts and anguish throughout this journey. All very intriguing indeed. It left you wondering at the end which of course is always a good thing. Highly recommended. Please take you time to digest this read.