The Silk Merchant of Sychar

by Cindy Williams

One woman, five husbands and the weary rabbi at the well who knows everything she ever did. The day after they bury her husband Leah Marcellus loses her baby. A widow and childless, what man will want her now? Her father arranges a second marriage—a profitable business arrangement—sealed on Mount Gerizim, the holy mountain where every true follower of Yahweh worships, but Leah’s heart belongs to another. Her passion only brings trouble - jealousy, murder and lies. Leah’s skill at the loom and the secrets of dye –the woad, the murex and madder—brings her renown among the Roman women of wealth. Yet death and betrayal soon steal her security. In desperation, Leah sacrifices her peace of mind and risks everything to protect her family.From the olive groves of Samaria to the bloodied sand of a Roman stadium to the exquisite silks brought from the East, The Silk Merchant of Sychar weaves colour into the biblical account of the woman at the well.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2019

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging take on John 4 which covers Jesus speaking to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. The vast majority of the novel are the fictional events that happen prior to the meeting at the well.

Leah Marcellus endures so much tragedy in her young life. The author does a nice job of not presenting her as perfect, but as a young woman against difficult crossroads that realistically may not always make the best decisions. Leah was a good person and intelligent as well. I turned the pages quickly to see what would happen next. The ending of the novel was lovely.

The author describes the scenery and atmosphere vividly making it easy to feel a part of the time and location.

My gratitude to the author and publisher Rhiza Press for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book 3 days ago and could not put it down! I am a fussy reader, I like a good story but for me the most important is the way it is written. I like literature, I like grammar . I don't like weak characters and corny stories. When I read a book I like to be entertained, surprised, challenged. I like to learn things, I like to escape in another culture and be engulfed in its traditions, its people. This book has got it all. It's a peculiar story, the story of a woman in Biblical times who had five husbands in a society where women were dominated by men and did not have much recognition or say. Each husband tells a story and reveals this woman's character, her strength, her determination her courage and her faith. It's also a story of compassion and humility. It's blunt without being vulgar.A great book indeed.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - I had no idea how this book would progress like it did.

I could not believe the misfortune that Leah Marcellus had in marriage and childbirth. Her father arranged her first 2 marriages. She had a true love in this book and that ended very tragically. Leah had miscarriages and there was physical abuse to Leah and her son. Leah continued to be very strong, but misguided.

Leah had a very good sense for business transactions and financial matters and she dearly loved her son.

Everything changed in Leah's life when she met Jesus. This book is the fictionalized version of the Gospel of John Chapter 4 verses 7-42. Please read the Scripture verses from the Holy Bible. I could picture how Jesus might have met this Samaritan woman and what Jesus said to her. The author did a great job of showing us how the Bible story could have progressed in this book of fiction.

[Cathy Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book as soon as I read the blurb.

It sounded intriguing and I was not wrong. The Silk Merchant of Sychar was a well-written and enthralling story. Cindy Williams took an encounter Jesus had with a woman by a well and wove it into a story full of surprises. Her telling of Leah’s journey carried me every step of the way with her, through her joys and heartaches, her pain and suffering, her strength and doubts, but most of all, her determination to be her own woman.

The author’s descriptions of time and place were excellent and her use of language made it a joy to read this book.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read. Leah was a strong character while dealing with some hard situtaions - sometimes she made good choices and other times she did not. A lot of the words used to describe certain things were unfamiliar to me - occasionally I would look them up to help with picturing the setting.

Rating: PG-13 -there was a lot of sexual innuendo throughout the story
Language: clean read
Recommend: yes

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written take on the Woman at the Well. The author does a great job of showing the awful prejudices that women such as this character lived with, and so how outrageously counter cultural and radically feminist Jesus was in reaching out to her and teaching her - and blessing her with a ministry!

The extra padding that has been added to the very bare bones we know of this character from the bible is completely believable and obviously very well researched.

A great tale, excellent writing and all in all a top quality book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wins the award for keeping me engrossed and captivated. It opened up my world, invigorated my senses and provided me with the perfect escape into a world so different to mine. My only disappointment was that it came to an end! I was taken on an exquisite, insightful journey into the culture and society that existed in biblical times, and more specifically the twists and turns, hardships and fortuitous events of the life of a woman who had 5 husbands. This book is a must read.

[Ray Woodrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic interweaving of wonderful, imaginative fiction with the biblical narrative. Would recommend this to anyone. Spoiler alert, tearjerker from the first page. I wouldn't normally read this kind of story but I'm glad I did. There were, for me, a few minor transition issues but I could not let it put me off reading the story, I had to know what came next. Great writing, Cindy.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
It is hard to write about 5 different relationships within the space of one novel and not have a pacing problem. This fictionalized account of the 'Woman at the Well' (John 4) achieves that. Well written, page-turner of one of my favourite stories in the Bible. A realistic portrayal that keeps the Biblical emphasis.

[Sally Blyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always intrigued how a woman could end up with five husbands! I love historical fiction. This novel is plausible, entertaining and sheds a fascinating light on what life was like for many women in the times when Jesus walked the earth. It delves into varied social and cultural insights of the times and the momentum continues from cover to cover. A great read!

[Liana Prada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like visiting a faraway country, memories of history and religion classes make the book come alive...tough times to be a woman in a story of resilience.

[Kaye Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and half stars. A gritty story of Leah, the Samaritan woman at Jacobs’s Well. From the very first page I was drawn into the fictional story of her journey towards her encounter with Jesus the Messiah at the well. How she as a young dutiful daughter married not once but twice to men chosen for her by her father. And how the love of her life was brutally murdered; her father’s friend took her and her son, mother and mother-in-law in to protect them. In an act of bravery he dies and Leah impulsively marries a handsome Greek philosopher. She and her mother-in-law had developed a creative and lucrative silk business but Leah needed approval of a powerful man in the marketplace to run her business. Then she encountered Jesus and he knew all of her story.
Beautifully written; filled with mouthwatering descriptions of exotic food, and colourful fabrics and textures you can feel, and family relationships that hold the women together.

[J.F. Saxby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read!
I was totally absorbed in the world Cindy Williams has recreated from her meticulous research into the setting and customs of first century Samaria, Rome, and nearby lands.
The olive groves, the grit, the rich hues of fabric, and the aroma of chickpeas simmering in spices were brought to life. The reader is swept along with tales of cruel bloodshed and murder, Roman court intrigue, as well as overwhelming desire and resultant unbridled passion.
The author’s insight and lyrical prose kept me turning the pages, until the stunning biblical finale.
A recommended read!

[Elizabeth Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy Williams has given a biblical character a backstory that is plausible, the rendition of whom is compassionate the writing style carries you back effortlessly into that historical period.
A story I found difficult to put down yet at the same time I wanted it to last as it was such an easy read. Highly recommended

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that was recommended to me. I enjoyed part 1 a lot. I was eagerly turning the pages and stayed up late reading. Part 2 was good but especially in the beginning it slowed down a little for me. I did enjoy this story though and thought it was well done.

[cindy simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I really enjoyed this story of the Samaritan woman who Jesus spoke to at the well. This author did a great job writing how it might have been. Great book.