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Martha (2011)

by Diana Wallis Taylor(Favorite Author)

4 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0800734653 (ISBN13: 9780800734657)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Fleming H. Revell Company

review 1: This is a beautiful story of Martha and life during the time of Jesus. The story catches the atmosphere of the day and the relationships of Martha with her sister, Mary and her brother, Lazarus. It draws a wonderful image of Jesus as he visits with them on several occasions and we see the family and friends and neighbors come close to Him. I will look for the author's other book JOURNEY TO THE WELL. Not sure if she has others....
review 2: Martha's mother died young. Martha became "the woman of the house" when she was still a girl, responsible for cooking, and cleaning, and raising her two younger siblings. She also does weaving to earn extra money for the family. Mary is a daydreamer, sweet and kind, but more interested in rescuing baby animals than in get... moreting dinner ready. Martha rose to the challenge, becoming an accomplished housekeeper. In this imagined version of the Bible story, that is how Martha came to be the hyper-responsible woman who told Jesus, "Tell my sister to help me." I am interested in Bible fiction, how they do it: what they keep, and what they add. In this version, the author adds a love interest for Martha, a Roman soldier who promises to marry her and take her to Cyprus, but who dies in battle. Mary also has a love interest in the disciple Thomas. Beyond that, the book sticks pretty close to the Bible story. Martha, Mary and Lazarus meet Jesus, and Jesus stays at their house whenever he is in town. Lazarus dies (of a fever) and is raised from the dead by Jesus. A family friend is healed of leprosy. Jesus is harassed by Pharisees. Mary anoints his feet with oil. Jesus is crucified, and then raised. The characters discuss their worries and fears about these disturbing events, and their hopes for the future.The storytelling is simple, and perhaps somewhat bland. This happens, then that happens. Not a lot of depth of character, and despite the earth-shaking events (literally) not a lot of drama. I think what Ienjoyed most are the descriptions of daily life: the clothes, the food, the houses, the religious rituals, the social conventions. less

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