Biblical Women in Fiction

The bible was written and edited by men over the centuries, and is heavily populated by men, rarely mentioning women. To make matters worse, when women are mentioned the entries tend to be short, leaving readers to wonder about the amazing women and what roles they might have played in their own times. Here is a selection of books that offer readers meticulously researched characters with some unique twists on old tales. These books fill in the blanks for the reader that are never answered in Biblical tales than many of us might find familiar. While some of the novels veer far from standard religious teachings they all offer great stories.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant might be the most recognizable title of this particular genre of fiction. The Red Tent is the story of Jacob's daughter Dinah, who is only briefly mentioned in Genesis. Readers learn about her life, from childhood until her death. Dinah was raised by four mothers, learns to be a midwife, keeps house for her father and brothers, and travels to Canaan and then to Egypt where she finds love. The title comes from the place where women of the time were relegated whenever they were menstruating, sick or giving birth. It is there that Dinah is initiated into womanhood by the women of her family, and is told the womanly secrets of life. The women of the novel are strong, and demonstrate well that while women might not always have made the history books, they have always led lives of note.

Rahab's Story by Ann Burton expands upon the story from the book of Joshua, chapters two and six. Rahab is a young peasant girl accused of witchcraft and banished to Jericho, and what might be certain death. There she must become a prostitute, in The House of Palms, to survive. Jewish spies arrive and ask for her help and Rahab needs to decide what is more important, staying safe or helping other believers in a city that worships a god of death rather than practicing Judaism. It is ultimately Rahab's faith that saves her, and her family, during the fall of Jericho. Other books about the women of the bible by Burton include Abigail's Story, Deborah's Story, and Jael's Story.

Rebekah by Orson Scott Card tells the tale of Isaac's wife, the mother of Jacob and Esau. In this retelling Rebekah is a steadfast but headstrong woman with an unwavering faith whose family is trapped in a cycle of rivalry. Despite the tensions and her struggles to find a home within Isaac's family, Rebekah forges her own relationship with God and serves him. While her name might be familiar to anyone that has studied the bible, much of her story was left to our imaginations. Card took the gaps and filled them with fascinating and sometimes complicated moments and relationships that make this book a great read for anyone. Other books in Card's Women of Genesis series include Rachel, Leah, and Sarah.

Queenmaker: A Novel of King David's Queen by India Edghill gives readers a new look at King David through the eyes of his first wife, Michal. In this retelling, David is not the gentle man that he is traditionally portrayed to be, but takes on much darker aspects. Michal and David were married very young, and then separated when King Saul annuls the marriage. Michal is remarried and learns to love her new husband. After ten years, King David brings her back and she spends the next forty years living with his other wives and concubines. Using her ample wit, Michal forges a new life and undermines David's rule while grooming Solomon to be a leader. A great story, but not one I suggest for readers that like their views of biblical characters to go untarnished or unchallenged. Delilah: A Novel is another well-written novel by India Edghill about biblical women.

Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George gives readers a new account of the life of one on Jesus' first disciples. In this story Mary is not the prostitute that we are traditionally told about. Instead she is raised in the middle class, married, possessed and freed by Jesus. This version of Mary's life connects her with the course of humanity as Jesus forms his group of disciples, here consisting of sixteen because of the four women included in the group, and her personal struggles of being separated from her family as she is part of something bigger than herself. I find this portrait of Mary to be a compelling read, and one that will fascinate fans of the Da Vinci Code.

Sarah: A Novel by Marek Halter offers readers a retelling of Sarah, born Sarai, and her life. At twelve years old she is pledged in marriage but she flees in distress. When she is dragged back to her father's house Sarah takes an herbal concoction to become barren and is made a priestess of Ishtar, a goddess of war. Six years later, reunites with her childhood love, Abram, and runs away to join his nomadic tribe. She does not have long to enjoy her new life because God calls Abram to leave his tribe and set out for a new land. That is where the well-known bible story begins to unfold, with some adaptations. Sarah's struggles with being barren, her nephew Lot's unhealthy feelings for her, an encounter with Pharaoh, and her quarrel with the slave woman Hagar drive the second half of the story. I really love that Sarah is portrayed as real; with doubts, a strong mind, strong faith, and some bitterness with aspects of her life. Other novels about women in the bible by Halter include: Zipporah, Wife of Moses, Lilah, Mary of Nazareth: A Novel.

The Gilded Chamber: A Novel of Queen Esther by Rebecca Kohn is the re-imagining of Queen Esther's tale. The story is close to the story found in the Book of Esther. Born a Jewish orphan originally named Hadassah she is betrothed to her cousin Mordechai and put in his care. Her cousin hides his Jewish heritage and warns her to use the name Esther and do the same. Mordechai attends to the King at the palace, who has banished his wife and taken all of the virgins in Persia to attend him as his concubine. After she has lived in the in the palace for a year the King becomes smitten with Esther and makes her Queen. In her position she is able to wield some power over the king in order to help her fellow Jews when an order goes out calling for a mass slaughter. It is not the king who has made the order, instead a proud and power hunger servant named Haman who aims to kill Mordechai and all of the Jews in the kingdom. Esther is a likable character with pride and intelligence who sets her people above her own comfort and care. Her efforts towards saving her people are still celebrated today through the Jewish festival of Purim.

Pilate's Wife: A Novel of the Roman Empire by Antoinette May is the fictionalized tale of Claudia Procula, wife of Pontius Pilate. In this story Claudia is a gifted seer and goddess worshiper. Her involvement in the life of Jesus comes through the disturbing dreams that she has about his death. She warns Pilate of his role, however part of her power is the inability to change the events which she sees. The story is enthralling both in the plot and the look at what life might have been for a woman born in Claudia station and time. There is a real look at the goddess worship of Claudia, which is a guiding force in her life, as well as the social interactions of people of the time. While some readers might not like the different take that May has of key figures of the bible, the read is engaging and entertaining.