An interesting view on the traditional story of the ark. Not exactly what you want if you actually believe the bible and are offended by stretching the truth a bit.
Helpful Score: 2
ollowing 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 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...
However, although it does tell a Biblical story from the perspective of a young woman, in many ways the two 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...
Helpful Score: 2
This is an excellent book about what might have happened at the time of Noahs Ark. Written in the same way as 'The Red Tent'
Helpful Score: 2
I'm not sure why this book is listed as "children's." Although it is a light read (I finished it in a day), there are definite adult themes throughout.
Helpful Score: 1
An interesting, fanciful side of the Noah's Ark story as told by an outsider... Not too preachy or religious, just think of it as historical fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting twist on the BIG FLOD.
Please note that if you are a purist Christian, you should not read this book. This book does not strictly adhere to scripture and you will not be happy with where and how the story goes.
On the other hand If you enjoyed the RED TENT (like I did) you should consider this book. It has has enough of the events from the bible to make it 'religious', but it also has an interesting twist, lively personalities, and enough human emotions to bring the story to life, in the prospect of what it could have been like.
Please note that if you are a purist Christian, you should not read this book. This book does not strictly adhere to scripture and you will not be happy with where and how the story goes.
On the other hand If you enjoyed the RED TENT (like I did) you should consider this book. It has has enough of the events from the bible to make it 'religious', but it also has an interesting twist, lively personalities, and enough human emotions to bring the story to life, in the prospect of what it could have been like.
Helpful Score: 1
A different point of view on the telling of Noah's Ark from an outsider who quickly becomes one of the most important figures in the Bible. Very good story, even if you have heard it before.
Helpful Score: 1
if you liked the red tent or queenmaker you will like this book. otherwise its crap. i didn't care for red tent or queenmaker. this book makes noah and his family look like morons and it is biblically inaccurate. oh, and i wouldn't let my teen read this, even if it says its for teens.
This story is told from the point of view of a woman that is part of the biblical story of The Ark..Her loves, hopes, dreams, about the building of the ark, how the animals just came, how the people suffered while on the ark, waiting to reach land, Its awesome, reads like a love/adventure story, very interesting, very good book. You dont have to be religious to like this story. Its awesome!
Takes the familiar story of Noah's Ark, and places a new charaacter on the ark as a stowaway with a different view of the events and of Noah's God.
Causes one to think.
I love this historical fiction story.
