Midrash. Now there’s a word. I’d heard of it, vaguely, but didn’t have the first idea what it meant until I read an excellent blog by Bobbie Ann Cole explaining the concept. Midrash is a Hebrew word, the concept of it being that it puts flesh on the bones of Biblical stories. I’ve always been a big fan of it, without knowing I was. Done well, it broadens and deepens the text, giving the reader the bigger picture, filling in the outlines, broadening the brushstrokes.
Natasha Woodcraft’s new novel, “The Wanderer Scorned” takes a well-known Bible story and spins it into a fascinating read.
Narrator Kayin lives with his parents as they scratch a living from the soil, haunted by memories of the beautiful garden where they once lived. The author takes the old, old story of fraternal jealousy and murder and turns it into a well-written, engaging read, encouraging the reader to see things from the protagonist’s point of view.
It's hard to take a Bible story so well-known as Cain and Abel and transform it into a full-length novel, if only because we all know what happens and why. However, Woodcraft’s skill lies in hooking us in, to showing us a much bigger picture and making us care about her characters. A good son and a good brother, Kayin’s tragedy slowly unfolds through family dynamics, misunderstanding, unexpressed anger and bitterness and perceived favouritism. At times, I wanted to give Abba a good shake and ask him what he thought he was playing at. All is not well in this fallen family and barely repressed rage and jealousy is the result.
“The Wanderer Scorned” is not a short book and the sheer amount of cultural, geographical and historical detail in it is impressive. The characters are well-drawn and colourful and we are promised a sequel, “The Wanderer Reborn.”
I, for one, can’t wait to read it.
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‘The Wanderer Scorned is available now in both paperback and eBook. Visit www.natashawoodcraft.com for more information on Natasha’s books, songs and to follow her personal blog.
I was given a free copy of the book but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.