Barren: A Contemporary Story of Sarai

by Elizabeth Simon

When a car crash claims their parents, Isabelle Serug and her older siblings are left reeling—orphans in the snowy reaches of northern Minnesota. Taken in by two brothers from their tribe, the family clings to hope, faith, and each other to survive.

But when a divine calling urges them to leave everything behind for an unfamiliar land, Isabelle is swept into a journey that will test the limits of love, loyalty, and belief. As their new life unravels, she must face impossible choices—and find the courage to rise when everything around her falls apart.

A modern reimagining of the biblical story of Sarai, Barren blends culture, contemporary drama, and timeless themes of betrayal and redemption. In the heart of every storm lies a give up, or believe the promise is still worth fighting for.

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2025

Reviews

[Priscilla Bettis]

Barren is a YA retelling of the first part of the story of Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) from Genesis.

Princess is a Native American sixteen-year-old. Abe is her twenty-six-year-old uncle. Princess’s parents die, and she marries Abe to protect her from being sent away to boarding school and to help Abe preserve the tribe’s purity.

As a mother of a teen girl (now an adult), I wouldn’t let my daughter read this story. I know teenagers can fall in love, and I realize May-December relationships can work, but two sixteen-year-olds or a twenty-five-year-old and a thirty-five-year-old are different than 16 and 26.

Abe goes a little off the deep end with regards to following Jehovah and leading his wife: an altar in the woods, (off page) animal sacrifices, following a cloud like Moses did, and adhering to his Nation’s smudging practices.

And yet, it’s a compelling story. I think since Simon had Abe follow a cloud (like Moses did in the Bible; Abraham never did), then she could have also tweaked other parts of the Abrahamic story and not have Princess be so young or Abe be her uncle or Abe (in this contemporary story) be so… Old Testament like.

As it is, by the 50 percent mark, Abe comes across like a cult leader, and Barren is just too uncomfortable for me to give it more than 3 stars, though Simon can really capture readers’ attention.

[Reader]

Gripping read from start to finish. While some parts may have felt uncomfortable (like a teenager marrying her older uncle), it really causes you to wrestle with the original scriptures and how the characters of that time would have felt. I had several moments where I put the book down just to stop and reflect on the Biblical history. In my opinion it reads similar to books by Francine Rivers. Can’t wait to read future books by the author.

[Jessica Welch-Tursi]

I really like the concept of fiction inspired by biblical women, and this story felt both inspired and different. However, it stayed a bit too close to the literal Genesis narrative, which made certain parts feel incredibly awkward when read through a modern lens. Seeing a 16-year-old married off, or having to actually sleep with Hernandez while everyone ignores the ethical issue because they are benefiting from it, felt deeply uncomfortable for a modern reader.

[Stephanie Weaver]

I was engrossed in the book, Barren, from the start. It is an easy read but engaging, and it was neat to see how the author reimagined this story in an American context. The story about a modern-day Abraham and Sarah really made me want to go back and reread the Biblical account with a fresh perspective. It makes the Biblical characters come to life! I would highly recommend this book.

[Allison Anderson]

Barren is an ambitious, creative, and imaginative debut novel. Simon gives a unique perspective on such an important Biblical story. I was encouraged to dive back into Genesis myself, and that inspiration was my favorite part.

[S Simon]

The book was an easy read and gave me pause to consider Sarai and her life that we don't read about in the Bible.

[Lisadunbar22]

Creative story line with relatable characters. I really enjoyed this first in a series of modern day genesis adaptations.