The Fisherman's Wife: The Gospel According to St. Peter's Spouse

by Kathleen Glavich

Open The Fisherman's Wife and you enter the world of first-century Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. This is the hometown of St. Peter's wife. What was it like to be a Jewish woman married to a man who leaves home for long stretches of time to follow Jesus, a controversial preacher with mysterious powers? Through The Fisherman's Wife you experience the unusual life of Peter's wife vicariously.

In Capernaum you meet not only impetuous Peter, but the tempestuous Zebedee brothers and other apostles, persons Jesus healed, Mary, and the Lord himself. People in the Bible spring to life as their stories are told through the eyes of St. Peter's wife. At first she regards Jesus as a rival for her husband's affections. As she transforms from a doubter into a fervent disciple, you are treated to a personal and unique view not only of Peter but of Jesus--his words and actions culminating in his death and rising.

By the time you are finished reading, you will feel as though you know the people who walk through the Bible at the time of Jesus. From then on, hearing and reading their stories in Scripture will never be the same.

Kathleen Glavich has authored numerous books on the Bible for all ages and was privileged to visit the Holy Land. From the time she was a preteen, she has loved fiction books about Bible characters. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and ventures out to give talks on Scripture, even as far away as Dubai.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christianity, Christian, Faith, Biblical, Christian Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2013

About the author

Kathleen Glavich has taught every grade from first to twelfth. When her first article was published, the writing bug bit her and she is now a full-time author and editor. In response to that first article, a bishop in Nigeria sent her a letter in which he quoted Mother Teresa: “Write, for if your writing should make anyone more aware of God and their neighbour, then you must write.” Kathleen went on to have over seventy books published as well as more articles. She has also worked on several textbook series. Several of her books have won awards. In addition to writing, Kathleen gives courses, talks, and retreats. In 2010 and 2011, she was the featured speaker at a conference in the United Arab Emirates and will return in 2014.In her spare time, Sister enjoys reading a good book, playing the piano, and crocheting.

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice rendition of the story of Jesus told through the eyes of Peter’s wife. I kept comparing it to the Chosen! Worth the read.

[Alice2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book on many levels. The story focuses around a central character (Miriam) who faces many life challenges as a wife and mother living in biblical times with an absent spouse. Her husband decides that he would follow a radical and controversial leader - Jesus. While her husband goes off for months at a time, she is left alone to raise her family, care for her aging mother, and run a household without having any way to communicate with her husband. I doubt that a marriage like Miriam's would ever survive in today's world.

The author does a wonderful job weaving scripture throughout the book, portraying Jesus' humanity as seen through the eyes of the people who lived during that time, and illustrating the meaning of unconditional love on many levels. The book is an easy read and difficult to put down! I highly recommend it!

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up for a couple of reasons: it's written by a nun and it tells the fictional story of Peter's wife.

We know little about her, certainly not her name. Peter came and went while married to her. Jesus healed her mother.

So, Sister Glavich tries to help us imagine what Peter's wife was like. She is given a name (as we don't know it from existing Bible stories), children and a pattern of living.

I found it easy reading and believable. Some of the language was a bit too modern for me but I understand the author's attempt to make it something 21st century readers could relate to.

If you are interested in Bible stories, history, stories about women then I recommend this.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this author through a professional affiliation. I am developing a special devotion to St. Peter, so I wanted to read this book. I loved the historical details and the rich imagery used. Since little or nothing is known of Peter's wife, this story could take many forms. I loved the little exchanges between the Jewish women in the village. This is well researched and shows a glimpse into what it may have been like for the everyday people in Jesus' time. It is easy to like the easy-going Miriam (Peter's wife)and empathize with her struggles as the new Church experiences all it's growing pains.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review to be coming on CatholicMom.com soon!

[Deba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out from the Library. It is a very good read. I got to view St Peter's life through his wife's eyes. Very enlightening.

[Casertalaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! You could tell the author did a lot of research!

[Kathryn Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent novel. I enjoyed that fact that it was written from the point of view of Miriam, the disciple Peter’s wife. No one knows if that is her real name or not, but that is the name that the author Kathleen Glavich has given her. The story is written in present tense, so it is as though she is speaking directly to you, as the events are taking place. It enables you to feel as though you are right there, experiencing the things that Miriam is experiencing.

Ms. Glavich has done her research. It shows in her description of the places she describes and of the events that take place, even down to the type of fish that Peter and the other fishermen would have caught in the Sea of Galilee.

I thought that Miriam’s feelings and emotions may very well have been the feelings that the same as the feelings the actual wife of Peter had towards Jesus at first, resenting this person at first who seems to be making these outrageous claims. But it is wonderful to see her attitude and behaviour change as she comes to realize that Jesus is truly the Messiah.

It was very interesting to explore what Miriam’s life would have been like with Peter gone so much of the time and her at home to raise the children. When we read the Bible, we think about Peter and the disciples, we don’t think about those that they left at home taking care of their families.

Much of this book is written as narrative, rather than as dialogue, but I think that this was partially necessary as Miriam was not present for everything that happened, but she would have been told about these things that happened with Peter and the other disciples as they were told to her. I think that Ms. Glavich had done an excellent job of weaving the scenes together and making the story flow smoothly as a whole.

I gave this book a rating of 5 stars.


Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not required to provide a positive opinion. All thoughts are my own.