Synopses & Reviews
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.
From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
This wonderful novel transports us to Nazareth in biblical times, where we meet Mary and Joseph-and understand them as never before: young, in love, and suddenly 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 of his faith-in his wife as well as in his God. Exquisitely written and imbued with emotional truth and richness of detail,
The Handmaid and the Carpenter explores lives touched profoundly by miracles large and small.
Praise for The Handmaid and the Carpenter
“The oldest story ever told becomes fresh, even modern. [
About the Author
Elizabeth Berg is the
New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including
We Are All Welcome Here,
The Year of Pleasures,
The Art of Mending, Say When, True to Form, Never Change, and
Open House, which was an Oprahs Book Club selection in 2000.
Durable Goods and
Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year, and Talk Before Sleep was short-listed for the ABBY Award in 1996. The winner of the 1997 New England Booksellers Award for her body of work, Berg is also the author of a nonfiction work,
Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True. She lives in Chicago.
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From the Hardcover edition.