|
At this time of year, many minds and hearts naturally turn to the holidays --- and, in particular, the story of the birth of Christ. Elizabeth Berg is no exception. In THE HANDMAID AND THE CARPENTER Berg retells the birth of Jesus, but from a unique perspective. She gives us the back story of how Mary and Joseph met, fell in love and ultimately married.
"She was a wonder to behold, with her black curls escaped from her braid, her cheeks flushed dusky rose, her gaze so direct and yet mysterious." Thus was Joseph's first impression of a 13-year old Mary, and the result was a "heart knocking my chest like a caged animal wild to be released." He knew in that instant of meeting her that she would be his betrothed. Shortly thereafter they are promised to each other. They court, and in the process learn much about one another. Joseph realizes that Mary is precocious, and Mary learns that Joseph is quite serious.
Berg portrays Mary from book's start as feeling "some call to greatness." That call becomes a divisive factor in the young couple's love and marriage. As their wedding approaches, Mary beings to question the union. Why, she asks, "could she not be happy about the upcoming marriage to a man she deeply cared for and admired who would be a good father and provider?" When the answer came to her, it was in the form of an angel who gave her "great joy."
"With God all things are possible," she is told. And soon she is pregnant with the son of God. Joseph does not believe her tale of the angel's visit. He shuns her, despite loving her, and only after she cajoles him into trusting her (somewhat) do they wed.
The rest is, as they say, history.
I am a huge fan of the "back story." I loved WICKED: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire, because it provided me with more of the history of the characters we all know and love; it filled in the gaps. And I enjoyed THE HANDMAID AND THE CARPENTER for the same reason --- because it introduced me to the human beings who were Mary and Joseph, with their foibles, fears and desires. My only qualm with the story is that last part: their desires. Was it a bit irreverent to write about Joseph's physical desire for Mary? Maybe. I know it gave me slight pause.
But the story is wonderful. Berg begins the novel with an author's note: The Bible is poetry. Fittingly, so is THE HANDMAID AND THE CARPENTER. Berg renders Mary and Joseph real through beautiful language and evocative images. I imagine this is a story that will be read and reread for years to come.
--- Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara
 Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
