Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Genres
Publication
New York : A.A. Levine Books, c2004.
Description
The rumor of the flood to come was too terrible to be true, and like most, Re Jana does not believe it. How could a god-anyone's god-determine who deserves to live and who to die? It was the rising waters that chased Re Jana's family from their home in the marshes. To the desert they fled, following the trail of animals and people who had gone before them. And there, in the dry center of the desert, rose the frame of a boat of unprecedented proportions, Noah's ark. Even as she falls in love with the builder's son, Ham, and panic spreads in the gathered tribes, Re Jana questions all that she hears and believes her family will be saved, even as the deluge begins and the doors to the ark are sealed.
User reviews
LibraryThing member cataylor
A fictional account of the Great Flood told by a young woman whose father becomes the main architect of the ark and who falls in love with Noah's youngest son, Ham. Re Jana eventually becomes a stow away on the ark and recounts the story with detail.
LibraryThing member rfewell
Biblical fiction in the tradition of The Red Tent
LibraryThing member kivarson
SPOILER ALERT.
This is an interesting retelling of the story of Noah's Ark. The main supposition is that building the ark would need many more hands than that of Noah's sons, so the construction would have required a small city of people.
It is to this city that Re Jana and her family flee, brought
Noah and his family come across as less than sympathetic, especially since their plan depends on the labor of so many who are unaware that they will not find shelter in the ark when the flood begins. Noah's brothers allow Re Jana's invalid mother to be gang-raped by the soldiers guarding the ark, and they themselves rape Re Jana with impunity when they find her hidden among the animals of the ark.
I couldn't put this book down for most of the story. Alas, my anger at the actions of Shem's brothers really affected my ability to enjoy the final chapters of this book. Although none of the sexual scenes were graphic, conservative Christians might be put off by the implied lesbianism between Re Jana and Shem's unloving wife.
This is an interesting retelling of the story of Noah's Ark. The main supposition is that building the ark would need many more hands than that of Noah's sons, so the construction would have required a small city of people.
It is to this city that Re Jana and her family flee, brought
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to this rocky desert landscape from the marshes of Caanan by her mother's recurring nightmares of rising waters. The care and devotion that Re Jana and her father have for her invalid mother is shocking to the wandering people of Noah's camp, as is their dark skin. In turn, Re Jana is put off by the stagnant water consumed by the locals, as well as their poor hygiene. In spite of their reservations, Re Jana's father is able to secure work from "The Builder" and Re Jana soon finds work bathing Noah's sons and begins a love affair with Noah's youngest son, Shem. But what will happen to them when the waters rise?Noah and his family come across as less than sympathetic, especially since their plan depends on the labor of so many who are unaware that they will not find shelter in the ark when the flood begins. Noah's brothers allow Re Jana's invalid mother to be gang-raped by the soldiers guarding the ark, and they themselves rape Re Jana with impunity when they find her hidden among the animals of the ark.
I couldn't put this book down for most of the story. Alas, my anger at the actions of Shem's brothers really affected my ability to enjoy the final chapters of this book. Although none of the sexual scenes were graphic, conservative Christians might be put off by the implied lesbianism between Re Jana and Shem's unloving wife.
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LibraryThing member Bianca0_0
This book was interesting, to say the least. The theme was mostly adult-ish, but also appropriate for teenagers and young adults. A new perspective on Noah's journey.
LibraryThing member jlapac
I just finished this book and found it to be like the Red Tent. The tone of the writing evoked responses in me. I felt more involved with the book than others I have read. It is a bit scattered, however, and sometime hard to follow.
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Following on the commerical success of Anita Diamant's 'The Red Tent,' publishers have struck on Belgian author Anne Provoost's retelling of the story of Noah's Ark as their next great hope...
However, although it does tell a Biblical story from the perspective of a young woman, in many ways the two
Where 'Red Tent' is in many ways a very historical, 'how it might have been' kind of tale, Provoost is more concerned with the mythic and especially the allegorical elements of the story. The cultures of the tribal peoples she portrays are more symbolic than based in archaeological research.
Through the classic story of Noah, focusing on a young woman, the daughter of a shipbuilder, who becomes Noah's son Ham's concubine, Provoost explores the themes of righteousness and evil, the hubris of claiming to be 'chosen,' and the pettiness of a god that would destroy the innocent in favor of one family of no particular merit or virtuousness... especially since, as Provoost points out, the flood failed to eliminate evil from the world. (But is this due to a failing in the Unnameable's plan? Or is it due to the failings of the chosen family... including allowing non-chosen stowaways on the ark, and secretly making sacrifices to the old gods while on the ark... (they even sacrifice the dove.... how symbolic!))
Interestingly, in the story, the characters (and Provoost? it's hard to tell) do not question the existence of deities - just their motivations and justifications.
An interesting book - but it doesn't really absorb you in the feeling of life in a different time, as some historical fiction does. Also, it's very thought-provoking... but I can't help feeling that some of this is just that the reader has to question "What exactly did the author MEAN by that ?" because it's not always very clear..
However, although it does tell a Biblical story from the perspective of a young woman, in many ways the two
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are not very similar books.Where 'Red Tent' is in many ways a very historical, 'how it might have been' kind of tale, Provoost is more concerned with the mythic and especially the allegorical elements of the story. The cultures of the tribal peoples she portrays are more symbolic than based in archaeological research.
Through the classic story of Noah, focusing on a young woman, the daughter of a shipbuilder, who becomes Noah's son Ham's concubine, Provoost explores the themes of righteousness and evil, the hubris of claiming to be 'chosen,' and the pettiness of a god that would destroy the innocent in favor of one family of no particular merit or virtuousness... especially since, as Provoost points out, the flood failed to eliminate evil from the world. (But is this due to a failing in the Unnameable's plan? Or is it due to the failings of the chosen family... including allowing non-chosen stowaways on the ark, and secretly making sacrifices to the old gods while on the ark... (they even sacrifice the dove.... how symbolic!))
Interestingly, in the story, the characters (and Provoost? it's hard to tell) do not question the existence of deities - just their motivations and justifications.
An interesting book - but it doesn't really absorb you in the feeling of life in a different time, as some historical fiction does. Also, it's very thought-provoking... but I can't help feeling that some of this is just that the reader has to question "What exactly did the author MEAN by that ?" because it's not always very clear..
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LibraryThing member nx74defiant
Every Bible character except Ham is pretty much unlikeable. The author made Noah sickly, even though in the Bible Noah lives a long life after the flood. There is a dwarf advising Noah that the author creates.
Noah hires help, idea never mentioned in the Bible. And hides the truth about the purpose
Exactly why the others are unrighteous are condemned isn't clear. Noah is outraged by the killing of animals for food, yet believes that after the flood it will be allowed.
In the book there are signs of rising water and rain storms.
The Bible states Noah entered the Ark and it was closed up BEFORE the rain started.
But like many others the author loves the imagery of a desperate rush to try to get in the open door as the rain goes on.
In this book every one believes Noah about the upcoming flood. Jesus said the people of Noah's day took no note until it was too late.
Noah hires help, idea never mentioned in the Bible. And hides the truth about the purpose
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of the Ark. In the book he need help to build a boat. But the Biblical Ark was really box shaped, no need for special skills to form the bow, no rudder needed. Exactly why the others are unrighteous are condemned isn't clear. Noah is outraged by the killing of animals for food, yet believes that after the flood it will be allowed.
In the book there are signs of rising water and rain storms.
The Bible states Noah entered the Ark and it was closed up BEFORE the rain started.
But like many others the author loves the imagery of a desperate rush to try to get in the open door as the rain goes on.
In this book every one believes Noah about the upcoming flood. Jesus said the people of Noah's day took no note until it was too late.
Show Less
Language
Original language
Dutch
Original publication date
2001
Physical description
368 p.; 24 cm
ISBN
0439442346 / 9780439442343