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Classification:
Historical
Old
Testament timesHeat Rating: 0/3 - but there is violence (suitable to the time period)
REVIEW RATING 4.0
NAME OF REVIEWER: Genevieve Graham
In
the spirit of Anita Diamant, this ambitious and unforgettable novel
about the story of Noah blends Biblical history, mythology, and the
inimitable strength of women.
Cursed
with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, the young
heroine in The Sinners and the Sea is deprived even of a name for
fear that it would make it easier for people to spread lies about
her. But this virtuous woman has the perfect voice to make one of the
Old Testament’s stories live anew.
Desperate
to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous
Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a land of
outcasts. Noah, a 600-year-old paragon of virtue, rises to the role
of preacher to a town full of sinners. Alone in her new life, Noah’s
wife gives him three sons, but is faced with the hardship of living
with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than with her. She tries
to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while
raising a brood that, despite a pious upbringing, have developed some
sinful tendencies of their own. But her trials are nothing compared
to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is
coming—and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they
alone can repopulate the world.
Kanner
weaves a masterful tale that breathes new life into one of the
Bible’s voiceless characters. Through the eyes of Noah’s wife we
see a complex world where the lines between righteousness and
wickedness blur. And we are left wondering: Would I have been
considered virtuous enough to save?
REVIEW:
You
know how everyone knows who Noah is, but we never hear about his
wife? That’s because (according to this book, and who am I to
argue?) she had no name. Her father never named her because she was
born with a large facial birthmark that many called a demon mark. By
keeping the girl nameless, he hoped to prevent people in her
bloodlusting village from abusing her by name. This quiet, terrified
girl, repulsed by so many, is one day given as a virtuous, submissive
wife to a crazy, 500-year-old religious nut named Noah.
I
love the way Ms Kanner walked us through the days and nights of the
unassuming wife of one of civilization’s most renowned prophets. As
unimportant as the woman believes she is, as disrespected as she is,
despite her doubts and fears, she will nevertheless one day bear the
future of the world. We are shown the violence and grime of the era
through almost apathetic eyes, the viewpoint of a woman who has
experienced nothing but that kind of life since the day she was born.
When she sees something innocent or beautiful it is as if she is in
awe. We watch her evolve as we watch the characters around her deal
with the end of the world and the beginning of another.
A
stirring, fascinating story written beautifully.
REVIEWER
BIO Genevieve
Graham
didn’t start writing until she was in her forties, inspired by the
work of the legendary Diana Gabaldon. Her first two novels, “Under
the Same Sky” and “Sound of the Heart” were published by
Berkley Sensation/Penguin US in 2012 and book #3 will be out in
November 2013. Genevieve writes what she calls “Historical Fiction”
rather than “Historical Romance,” meaning she concentrates on the
stories and adventures, and she doesn’t turn away from the ugly
truths of the times. Romance binds her stories together, but it is
not the primary focus. Genevieve also runs her own Editing business
and has helped dozens of authors with their novels.
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