“Brenner is biblical professor who, for reasons explained in her introduction, felt inspired to write fictional accounts of biblical figures. As the title explicitly states she was struck by women and chose to tell their stories. I believe she’s spent a few too many decades in the non-fiction, academic world because her fictional accounts are told at a small conference attended by the various women, complete with handouts and powerpoint presentations. A conference attended by the women in 2003, since they never died in the bible they have “lived” this entire time and have knowledge of the current world. Politics, poetry, literature and plenty of biblical analysis are referenced. It was cute, but still quite academic.
Each fictional presentation is accompanied by either a description or the entire text of each woman’s bible entry, so no knowledge of the bible is necessary. It would certainly help though. Also in her introduction Brenner hoped a reader would go back and forth between the fiction and the bible stories referenced. I agree that would be the most fulfilling way to read this, but not necessary. The women covered are in the Hebrew Bible (Brenner is Jewish and/or studies that religion) but I think it would be interesting for a reader of any faith or, as in my case, no faith…but I could be wrong about a devout “other” enjoying this setup. Perhaps only pick it up if you’re feeling religiously adventurous.”
anarresa wrote this review Tuesday, August 2, 2011.
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