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The Handmaid and the Carpenter
In this wonderful novel about love and trust, hope and belief, Elizabeth Berg, the bestselling author of We Are All Welcome Here and The Year of Pleasures , transports us to Nazareth in biblical times to reimagine the events of the classic Christmas story.
We see Mary–young, strong, and inquisitive–as she first meets Joseph, a serious-minded young carpenter who is steadfastly devoted to the religious traditions of their people. The two become betrothed, but are soon faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Aided by a great and abiding love, they endure challenges to their relationship as well as threats to their lives as they come to terms with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the birth of their child, Jesus. For Mary, the pregnancy is a divine miracle and a privilege. For Joseph, it is an ongoing test not only of his courage but of his faith–in his wife as well as in his God.
Exquisitely written and imbued with the truthful emotions and richness of detail that have earned Elizabeth Berg a devoted readership, The Handmaid and the Carpenter explores lives touched profoundly by miracles large and small. This powerful and moving novel is destined to become a classic.
We see Mary–young, strong, and inquisitive–as she first meets Joseph, a serious-minded young carpenter who is steadfastly devoted to the religious traditions of their people. The two become betrothed, but are soon faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Aided by a great and abiding love, they endure challenges to their relationship as well as threats to their lives as they come to terms with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the birth of their child, Jesus. For Mary, the pregnancy is a divine miracle and a privilege. For Joseph, it is an ongoing test not only of his courage but of his faith–in his wife as well as in his God.
Exquisitely written and imbued with the truthful emotions and richness of detail that have earned Elizabeth Berg a devoted readership, The Handmaid and the Carpenter explores lives touched profoundly by miracles large and small. This powerful and moving novel is destined to become a classic.
153 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2006
About the author
Elizabeth Berg
52 books4,804 followersElizabeth Berg is the author of many bestselling novels, including The Story of Arthur Truluv, Open House (an Oprah’s Book Club selection), Talk Before Sleep, and The Year of Pleasures, as well as the short story collection The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted. Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year. She adapted The Pull of the Moon into a play that enjoyed sold-out performances in Chicago and Indianapolis. Berg’s work has been published in thirty countries, and three of her novels have been turned into television movies. She is the founder of Writing Matters, a quality reading series dedicated to serving author, audience, and community. She teaches one-day writing workshops and is a popular speaker at venues around the country. Some of her most popular Facebook postings have been collected in Make Someone Happy and Still Happy. She lives outside Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
November 30, 2017
A re-telling of the birth of Jesus from the viewpoints of Mary and Joseph.
I picked up this audiobook thinking, 'Oh, this'll get me in the Christmas spirit.' But, I was dismayed to discover I turned into the Grinch instead.
I did not connect with this at all.
I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the dialogue.
I found myself rolling my eyes when Joseph was talking about traditional gender roles. I realize Elizabeth Berg was beating us over the head with it because she was depicting Joseph was uber-traditional, but I had zero patience for it.
The moment the angel comes to Mary could have been something spectacular and it sounded almost exactly like the King James version of the Bible. I wanted this re-telling to bring a new dimension to the story and it didn't.
The interactions between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were stilted and strange.
Berg tried to bring a sacred feminine vibe into the mix by making Mary knowledgeable about herbs. It just fell flat.
I can't recommend this one.
I'm off to steal the presents from Cindy Lou Who. The Grinch, signing off!
I picked up this audiobook thinking, 'Oh, this'll get me in the Christmas spirit.' But, I was dismayed to discover I turned into the Grinch instead.
I did not connect with this at all.
I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the dialogue.
I found myself rolling my eyes when Joseph was talking about traditional gender roles. I realize Elizabeth Berg was beating us over the head with it because she was depicting Joseph was uber-traditional, but I had zero patience for it.
The moment the angel comes to Mary could have been something spectacular and it sounded almost exactly like the King James version of the Bible. I wanted this re-telling to bring a new dimension to the story and it didn't.
The interactions between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were stilted and strange.
Berg tried to bring a sacred feminine vibe into the mix by making Mary knowledgeable about herbs. It just fell flat.
I can't recommend this one.
I'm off to steal the presents from Cindy Lou Who. The Grinch, signing off!
December 26, 2015
Library hardcover
December 29, 2021
Elizabeth Berg's "The Handmaid and the Carpenter" is a difficult book to review. It is, as some big-name reviewers have pointed out, poetic and reflective. It means well. Nevetheless, this novelization of the Holy Family in its early years also suffers from careless theology.
In brief, the carpenter gets his just desserts, but the handmaid -- somewhat surprisingly -- does not. Joseph is here portrayed as a model of traditional rectitude. Mary, while not promiscuous, is rather shockingly forward with her betrothed. Her conduct is such that the virgin birth of Jesus is even harder for Joseph to accept than it otherwise might be, and Berg's attempt to lend perspective to familiar characters robs Mary of some of her dignity.
The best part of the novel involves Mary's interaction with her older cousin Elizabeth. Berg there sheds light on how the two women might have helped each other. She also gets the chronology of the visit from the Magi right -- they do not show up at the manger together with adoring shepherds. Beyond those wonderfully written episodes, however, Berg pays no mind to the (admittedly Catholic) doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Consecrated virginity, while never common, was not then or now unheard of, yet it does not figure here. Instead Berg goes in the other direction, positing Jesus as the firstborn of seven (!) siblings.
Why our savior from the cross commended His mother to the care of the apostle John, rather than to any of His alleged siblings, is never explained: Berg ducks some of the questions that would sabotage her choices by ending the story with the death of Saint Joseph. Without giving too much away, it also pained me to see Joseph ennobled partly by the cost of his struggle with gossip about Jesus that made no sense when raised in our own day by especially imaginative members of the "Jesus Seminar," and would have made even less sense in first-century Judea, given what we know through scripture and tradition about the character of the people involved.
This is a quick Christmas read, but there are better such out there. An evocative description of the wise men from Persia, a poignant rendering of mutual love between cousins of different generations, and a gift for describing simple meals deliciously are not enough to pull this novel from the postmodern morass of doubt and cynicism that looks selectively at scripture, soft-pedals the Magnificat, and puts nearly every miracle in figurative quotation marks, except for Mary's admirable but undeveloped convictions that the earth is full of miracles, and virtuous life is itself a miracle.
In brief, the carpenter gets his just desserts, but the handmaid -- somewhat surprisingly -- does not. Joseph is here portrayed as a model of traditional rectitude. Mary, while not promiscuous, is rather shockingly forward with her betrothed. Her conduct is such that the virgin birth of Jesus is even harder for Joseph to accept than it otherwise might be, and Berg's attempt to lend perspective to familiar characters robs Mary of some of her dignity.
The best part of the novel involves Mary's interaction with her older cousin Elizabeth. Berg there sheds light on how the two women might have helped each other. She also gets the chronology of the visit from the Magi right -- they do not show up at the manger together with adoring shepherds. Beyond those wonderfully written episodes, however, Berg pays no mind to the (admittedly Catholic) doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Consecrated virginity, while never common, was not then or now unheard of, yet it does not figure here. Instead Berg goes in the other direction, positing Jesus as the firstborn of seven (!) siblings.
Why our savior from the cross commended His mother to the care of the apostle John, rather than to any of His alleged siblings, is never explained: Berg ducks some of the questions that would sabotage her choices by ending the story with the death of Saint Joseph. Without giving too much away, it also pained me to see Joseph ennobled partly by the cost of his struggle with gossip about Jesus that made no sense when raised in our own day by especially imaginative members of the "Jesus Seminar," and would have made even less sense in first-century Judea, given what we know through scripture and tradition about the character of the people involved.
This is a quick Christmas read, but there are better such out there. An evocative description of the wise men from Persia, a poignant rendering of mutual love between cousins of different generations, and a gift for describing simple meals deliciously are not enough to pull this novel from the postmodern morass of doubt and cynicism that looks selectively at scripture, soft-pedals the Magnificat, and puts nearly every miracle in figurative quotation marks, except for Mary's admirable but undeveloped convictions that the earth is full of miracles, and virtuous life is itself a miracle.
August 21, 2012
The author definitely took great liberty with the scriptural account of the birth of Jesus.I found the portrayal of Joseph very disappointing. Jesus needed a strong,faithful and humble stepfather to take the responsibility of caring for God's Son seriously. This is utterly discounted by the narrator, who focused on her idea that Joseph took on the responsibility for what he believed to be Mary's bastard conceived through an illicit affair with a Roman soldier. He is portrayed as faithless, although he does love Mary.
Mary portrayal is also troublesome. I think the author subscribes to the fad that for a heroine to be interesting, she must be headstrong and independent according to the world's standard. I know she was a precious vessel, a handmaid unto the Lord, and as such, she was humble and submissive to the Lord and His commandments.
Overall, I found this to be a very silly book. I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. The author's comprehension of the scriptures leaves a lot to be desired (no secret Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace for the Lord, so how does it make sense to have Joseph be the domineering husband forcing Mary to travel there that close to her time?)
Mary portrayal is also troublesome. I think the author subscribes to the fad that for a heroine to be interesting, she must be headstrong and independent according to the world's standard. I know she was a precious vessel, a handmaid unto the Lord, and as such, she was humble and submissive to the Lord and His commandments.
Overall, I found this to be a very silly book. I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. The author's comprehension of the scriptures leaves a lot to be desired (no secret Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace for the Lord, so how does it make sense to have Joseph be the domineering husband forcing Mary to travel there that close to her time?)
December 25, 2010
Meh... It was okay. It is the author's interpretation of the love story between Mary and Joseph. So, not about Jesus hardly at all, which is fine for the story. Somethings were portrayed in a way that didn't jive with me. I wouldn't recommend it.
Also, it was read by the author. I don't think a lot of authors should read their books. Her specially. I felt like it took SO LONG because she read.... everything... so.... slooooowly...... It felt like she was trying to put feeling into it but it just made it drag.
Spoiler****I was really bothered that on his death bed Joseph asks Mary who Jesus' father is. Really? Two angels, divine guidance and you haven't gotten it yet? Even some of the circumstances before Mary becomes pregnant kind of hint that it's not a virgin birth so it was just a little bit weird.
Also, it was read by the author. I don't think a lot of authors should read their books. Her specially. I felt like it took SO LONG because she read.... everything... so.... slooooowly...... It felt like she was trying to put feeling into it but it just made it drag.
Spoiler****I was really bothered that on his death bed Joseph asks Mary who Jesus' father is. Really? Two angels, divine guidance and you haven't gotten it yet? Even some of the circumstances before Mary becomes pregnant kind of hint that it's not a virgin birth so it was just a little bit weird.
April 10, 2019
A beautiful rendition of the story of Mary and Joseph. Berg writes so beautifully. She ran me through the gamut of emotions. A fresh interpretation of events from Joseph’s perspective. I love everything I’ve read from this author.
January 2, 2021
Elizabeth Berg's reimagining of how the biblical story in the New Testament of Mary's virginal birthing of Jesus, her probably complicated relationship (before and after) with Joseph, and all the community response to same is contained in this short book. I enjoyed it, as it is a story I ponder over often. Could it have gone that way? Was history just twisting again? Is revelation correcting history? inventing it? Fiction or fact (is anything fiction or fact?!)?
Perfect for the season, yet vague enough to apply to anytime of the year. I was about a third through it before I realized that I had read this book before, years ago when it first came out. Was like running into an old friend, and funny how some of the very same questions and thoughts came up again, and I remembered having them then. Weird.
A Christian leaning is supported by the story within these covers. If you lean that way, and haven't read this, you might try it. If you don't want to think about Mary and Joseph as a couple doing couple things, you might not.
Perfect for the season, yet vague enough to apply to anytime of the year. I was about a third through it before I realized that I had read this book before, years ago when it first came out. Was like running into an old friend, and funny how some of the very same questions and thoughts came up again, and I remembered having them then. Weird.
A Christian leaning is supported by the story within these covers. If you lean that way, and haven't read this, you might try it. If you don't want to think about Mary and Joseph as a couple doing couple things, you might not.
June 27, 2012
Audiobook. Elizabeth Berg’s take on the nativity fills in some of the blanks in the lives of Mary and Joseph. It explores questions such as: Who was Mary apart from angels, wise men and the baby Jesus? How did Joseph react to his wife’s pregnancy? What were their hopes and dreams as a couple and how did they live in their community? This was an interesting exercise, but Berg’s characters speak a stilted combination Bible-talk and modern speech. Her Mary is a petulant teenager who wants her freedom and Joseph is a condescending young man looking to establish his new-found authority. Yes, in the end Mary comes to terms with her lot as a woman and Joseph eases up a bit, but I can’t help thinking that this Mary and Joseph tell us more about our times than their times. The story lacks the richness and detail that I expect from an historical novel. That said, it would be an interesting book to read and discuss with middle school girls during the Christmas season.
February 13, 2010
Elizabeth Berg's "The Handmaid and the Carpenter: A Novel" is a richly detailed saga of an historic time and a Biblical couple; it is a tale that she has imbued with her special skill of immediacy and an everyday voice, and as a result, we can visualize this young couple as they struggle with the effects of a miraculous conception on their relationship and their lives.
We follow them in their journey to Bethlehem and the events that unfold there, just as we come to see the other small and large miracles that accompany them throughout their lives together. And we watch as Joseph's doubts rise up again, and how, finally, he comes to believe.
This brief and powerful account is memorable and evocative, and one which adds another dimension to Berg's body of work.
Five stars!
We follow them in their journey to Bethlehem and the events that unfold there, just as we come to see the other small and large miracles that accompany them throughout their lives together. And we watch as Joseph's doubts rise up again, and how, finally, he comes to believe.
This brief and powerful account is memorable and evocative, and one which adds another dimension to Berg's body of work.
Five stars!
January 6, 2013
Told alternatively from Mary and Joseph's points of view, this is a tender interpretation of Christ's birth and the impact it has on Mary and Joseph (perhaps). Berg sometimes took great liberty with the characters, and other times got the culture of the times just right. This novel seems to create a fair bit of angst for people, but it is critical to remember that this is not the true story -- that is found in Scripture. As a novel, this was overly sappy at times, but always touching and thought provoking. For anyone who is willing to simultaneously read this story in Scripture, I recommend the novel.
April 7, 2013
I thought this was just a beautiful little book. At its core, it is a love story; the story of an ordinary young couple who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, whose love carries them through hardships, doubts and their own imperfections. It makes Mary and Joseph highly accessible and human without detracting from the wonder and miracle of the Christmas story. This is not a retelling of events, but a fleshing out of the events as presented in the Bible. As such, one's faith might affect one's appreciation of this book, though I am not sure. It is written in such a lovely way that it might just appeal to readers of any faith.
December 1, 2007
An innovative and creative look at the birth of the Savior by focusing on the relationship between Mary and Joseph. I really appreciated thinking about the birth of Jesus from the perspective of a young couple who were floored with the news that they would be the earthly parents of the Savior. While this is no "The Red Tent," it still made me think about this precious story in a whole new way, and it brought me to tears several times.
December 10, 2020
I enjoyed this short, creative retelling of the story of Mary & Joseph. I’ve often wondered how hard it must have been for Joseph to believe that Mary was truly a virgin and Jesus was God’s son. I appreciated the way Joseph’s doubts were portrayed in this book because it’s easy to forget he and Mary were real people who might have struggled to believe even as we do today.
December 13, 2017
Heartwarming, imaginative and beautifully written. A perfect read for the Christmas season.
January 13, 2018
This was a very interesting way to look at the birth of Christ through Mary and Joseph. Ms Berg did a good job of putting the story together but not sure I totally liked her portrayal of Joseph
December 21, 2023
This book is not a Christian book at all, it's inappropriate and the moment I read it I was truly disgusted at what this author has depicted Joseph to be like. If I could rate it a zero I would.
December 28, 2009
I really really really wanted to like this book, but it made me gag. It's sort of a retelling of a fairy tale, with bits of The Shack thrown in, and plenty of imagination from the author, without, very sadly, any research (at least in the Orthodox tradition of the Nativity).
The author tries to be "historically accurate" by putting the birth of Christ in 4 B.C., but on December 25, bam! (As opposed to His birth in the spring, when it is more likely that the shepherds would have their sheep out.) Also, her author's note: "The Bible is poetry. As such, it is open to interpretation. Here is one more writer's imagining of events that took place long, long ago. I have taken great license with the varying and often contradictory 'facts' about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus; but then, I am in good company in doing so."
She's very obviously not in favor of Mary's title as "ever Virgin," having her lust after Joseph—who, for his part, is young and *chose* Mary. (As opposed to the traditional story of his being old and chosen *for* Mary rather against his will.)
I did like the point about Mary's mother understanding about having an angel come and tell you about a surprising birth; I hadn't thought of that part before. Of course, it was a bit odd that Mary was living with her parents instead of at the Temple where they'd dedicated her at age three...
The author tries to be "historically accurate" by putting the birth of Christ in 4 B.C., but on December 25, bam! (As opposed to His birth in the spring, when it is more likely that the shepherds would have their sheep out.) Also, her author's note: "The Bible is poetry. As such, it is open to interpretation. Here is one more writer's imagining of events that took place long, long ago. I have taken great license with the varying and often contradictory 'facts' about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus; but then, I am in good company in doing so."
She's very obviously not in favor of Mary's title as "ever Virgin," having her lust after Joseph—who, for his part, is young and *chose* Mary. (As opposed to the traditional story of his being old and chosen *for* Mary rather against his will.)
I did like the point about Mary's mother understanding about having an angel come and tell you about a surprising birth; I hadn't thought of that part before. Of course, it was a bit odd that Mary was living with her parents instead of at the Temple where they'd dedicated her at age three...
March 18, 2014
The Handmaid and the Carpenter tells the story of the relationship between Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. While fictionalized, it is based on the Biblical account and historical records. Of all of the things written around the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, not much is said about how Joseph handled the situation. Think about it…the girl whom he is betrothed says she is pregnant by holy spirit. He had to have wrestled with doubt over her story, yet, he married her anyway. Imagine how his family must have felt, how the people in the town must have gossiped. Remember also that Joseph and Mary were teenagers who lacked perspective and maturity.
This was a beautifully written story which really delved into two enigmatic characters from history. Regardless of religious beliefs, at its heart is a story about trust and whether you ever truly know the one you love.
Overall, I give The Handmaid and the Carpenter…
Plot – 3 bookmarks
Character Development – 3 ½ bookmarks
Love Story – 3 bookmarks
Historical Accuracy – 4 bookmarks (to the extent which is it possible, the story is well researched. The major error I found was Jesus’ birth date. While Berg got the year correct, he wasn’t born on December 25th but sometime in October. She also had to fictionalize some of the characters for sake of the story. Understandable and well done.)
Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Hili Yalon (Mary), Bar Paly (Naomi), Eyal Podell (Joseph)
This was a beautifully written story which really delved into two enigmatic characters from history. Regardless of religious beliefs, at its heart is a story about trust and whether you ever truly know the one you love.
Overall, I give The Handmaid and the Carpenter…
Plot – 3 bookmarks
Character Development – 3 ½ bookmarks
Love Story – 3 bookmarks
Historical Accuracy – 4 bookmarks (to the extent which is it possible, the story is well researched. The major error I found was Jesus’ birth date. While Berg got the year correct, he wasn’t born on December 25th but sometime in October. She also had to fictionalize some of the characters for sake of the story. Understandable and well done.)
Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Hili Yalon (Mary), Bar Paly (Naomi), Eyal Podell (Joseph)
December 5, 2012
I didn't like her characterizations of Mary or especially Joseph. I thought it was a cute love story and could see the value of humanizing them for some people but it wasn't my cup of tea. I will enjoy discussing it with book club, I think there is a lot to be pondered in the book because it brings to mind Christ's early years which we know so little about.
I liked the look at the culture in Jesus' time, I just wasn't sure I believed her interpretation of it. I didn't particularly like the sexualizing of them (facts of life or not, it's like thinking about your parents' sex lives) and I didn't like the way the author read the book. She just sounded too self-important or like she was trying to be dramatic or give it gravitas instead of reading a story. Meh, I seem to find author's reading their own words to be full of themselves based on my reaction to the last couple I listened to (and I didn't know it was the author at first so I don't think it's a bias, I think it's their reading).
I liked the look at the culture in Jesus' time, I just wasn't sure I believed her interpretation of it. I didn't particularly like the sexualizing of them (facts of life or not, it's like thinking about your parents' sex lives) and I didn't like the way the author read the book. She just sounded too self-important or like she was trying to be dramatic or give it gravitas instead of reading a story. Meh, I seem to find author's reading their own words to be full of themselves based on my reaction to the last couple I listened to (and I didn't know it was the author at first so I don't think it's a bias, I think it's their reading).
December 25, 2019
I had this book for a while and, wanting to read something Christmas-y, I decided to finally give it a go.
I did not wind up actually reading it. I read the author's note and went 'hmmm'.
Ms. Berg begins by saying that the Bible is poetry, and that is false. Parts of the Bible are poetry, not the entire book. A little study would have told her that.
If you look at the entire Bible as being poetry, you can easily write it all off as a merely a nice story. Something that you can learn a few good lessons from maybe, but not actually true.
So essentially Ms. Berg is a heretic and not someone who should be trying to give anyone a deeper understanding of any biblical account. Particularly one about Jesus.
I didn't want to assume, based on that sentence alone, that the book was garbage, so I read the reviews and skimmed a little. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the theology in this book to be quite as bad as it is. Mary is portrayed as a brazen girl with questionable morals, and Joseph has no faith. Both laughable and insulting ideas.
I did not wind up actually reading it. I read the author's note and went 'hmmm'.
Ms. Berg begins by saying that the Bible is poetry, and that is false. Parts of the Bible are poetry, not the entire book. A little study would have told her that.
If you look at the entire Bible as being poetry, you can easily write it all off as a merely a nice story. Something that you can learn a few good lessons from maybe, but not actually true.
So essentially Ms. Berg is a heretic and not someone who should be trying to give anyone a deeper understanding of any biblical account. Particularly one about Jesus.
I didn't want to assume, based on that sentence alone, that the book was garbage, so I read the reviews and skimmed a little. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the theology in this book to be quite as bad as it is. Mary is portrayed as a brazen girl with questionable morals, and Joseph has no faith. Both laughable and insulting ideas.
January 17, 2013
This book was a hard read. I read this book over the course of two years. I started it, Christmas of 2011, I believe and returned to it Christmas 2012. The author does write with beautiful pros and I believe she is sincere in trying to capture the birth of Christ with historical accuracy as well as leaving room for the awe and wonder of greatest miracle there ever was, but for all that some how the read still just seems boring. Especially after the climax which was the birth of baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph are fairly flat characters and their aren't many other characters of true significance in the story. It's not that the book was terrible, it's simply lackluster. It doesn't really stand out or bring much new to the table as far as perspective or point of view, but I appreciate the author focusing on the true meaning of Christmas and trying to bring that to life.
January 12, 2009
I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the fact that mary was just a child herself when she carried the son of god. The way that Berg wrote this story was refreshing to me. She didn't play it safe but she really gave a good dose of humanity to a story we all know so well. I don't think she disrespected the mother of christ but she didn't write about her like Mary was a diety she wrote about like she was a human being and a very young women which is what she was. I liked the vulnerability she gave mary in this story and I enjoyed her interpretation of Joseph as well. I would read this book again. Its an interesting and engrossing interpretation of one of the greatist occurances to ever happen on Earth.
December 23, 2012
I thought that Christmas time would be a good time to read this book about Mary and Joseph.
In order to write a book like this, an author has to take a lot of creative liberties. I just didn't care for the characteristics Berg assigned to Mary and Joseph. Joseph was domineering, chauvenistic and unforgiving. I, personally, do not believe that Joseph was doubting Jesus' origins all the way to his death bed- and in a way punishing Mary all that time for his unbelief. Mary's portrayal as a defiant and headstrong, and continually battling against the norm also doesn't seem quite right.
If you want a good story about Mary and Joseph, the original is better.
In order to write a book like this, an author has to take a lot of creative liberties. I just didn't care for the characteristics Berg assigned to Mary and Joseph. Joseph was domineering, chauvenistic and unforgiving. I, personally, do not believe that Joseph was doubting Jesus' origins all the way to his death bed- and in a way punishing Mary all that time for his unbelief. Mary's portrayal as a defiant and headstrong, and continually battling against the norm also doesn't seem quite right.
If you want a good story about Mary and Joseph, the original is better.
January 4, 2009
I was saddened by the blatent errors and heresy in this book. I typically like Elizabeth Berg and would have enjoyed this story immensely without these fabrications.
Oddly, the author's note at the beginning of the book indicates she takes license ("as the bible is open to interpretation") because she places Jesus' birth in 4 b.c. but states nothing about her inventions with Joseph, Mary and future children.
Oddly, the author's note at the beginning of the book indicates she takes license ("as the bible is open to interpretation") because she places Jesus' birth in 4 b.c. but states nothing about her inventions with Joseph, Mary and future children.
February 8, 2011
I was really disappointed in this read. I picked it up thinking it to be a sweet inpiring story of mary and joseph. Instead, it was disturbing and not along my same beliefs. The author made Joseph out to be weak. She chose to paint him as crude, base, and unbelieving. They were not the parents of Jesus that I believe to be true. They didn't even understand his mission. Disappointing. Frankly, it was hard to read.
June 27, 2011
Elizabeth Berg often surprises me. It is nearly always a pleasant surprise. This is a very quiet little story on the surface but the underlying background surmise4es raise wonderful questions to contemplate on an ages old story which far too many consider to have been written in stone. Certain to be controversial in many eyes then but a small and quietly provacative addition to thinking on the Biblical especially from a woman's viewpoint, I think.
October 18, 2011
I listened to this in between the two last books in a series, because I had to wait for the last book to come in. I thought it would be a short interesting tale to while away some hours in the car. I realize it is someone's opinion on Joseph and Mary and not based on fact, but I thought the story was distasteful. It painted the love between Joseph and Mary as lust, and not actual love. A lot of parts just made me cringe, and I wouldn't reccommend this story to anyone.
January 14, 2013
I really expected to like this book. I've enjoyed other historical fiction novels set in the time period of Christ, most especially The Kingdom and the Crown series by Gerald Lund. But this book I had to abandon. When we've had a couple mentions of Joseph thinking about his loins already by the 27th page, it's just not for me. I don't appreciate the sexualizing of Joseph and Mary, it's completely inappropriate in my mind.
July 26, 2022
I have trouble believing that the compassionate Savior of the world was raised by a misogynistic, distrusting man. And the idea angers me that Mary, who had to go through so much during her life including the gruesome death of her son, would be saddled with a man who, despite his belief in a coming Messiah, disbelieved her his whole life- all the way to accusing her of being promiscuous on his deathbed.
December 16, 2016
While this was a sweet imagination of Mary and Joseph from their childhood meeting through the birth of Jesus, and perfect for the Christmas season, I was surprised at the hokie-ness and lack of sophistication of the writing style. The author has a much better reputation in her other books. She could certainly have honored our Lord's parents with a little more effort in literary maturity.
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