Queen Esther is the new historical novel by one of America’s most beloved authors, John Irving. The story takes the reader on a journey from New England to Europe and Jerusalem through the backdrop of World War II, the Vietnam War era, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Much of the focus of this novel is on the role that history plays in shaping lives and identities. Queen Esther is a sweeping, multigenerational and multicultural novel full if memorable characters.
Queen Esther by John Irving, (List Price: $30, Simon & Schuster, 9781501189449, November 2025)
Reviewed by Karen Dugger, Righton Books in Saint Simons Island, Georgia