Naomi and Her Daughters

by Walter Wangerin Jr.

From master storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. comes this familiar biblical saga told in a fresh, transfixing way. You’ll feel you’ve never heard it before! Melding historical accuracy with imaginative detail, Wangerin uses the biblical books of Judges and Ruth to explore themes of love, faith, grief and community set against a backdrop of war and political instability.

The widow Naomi grieves the deaths of her two adult sons after the shocking murder of a beloved adopted daughter, while pondering her responsibilities toward her Moabite daughters-in-law. Ancient Israel is in chaos. When her daughter-in-law, Ruth, begs to return to Israel with Naomi, events are set in motion that will change the course of history.

But wait…this isn’t the tame, flannel graph story you heard in Sunday School. In the tradition of Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent and Elissa Elliott’s Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, Wangerin imbues his tale with strong female characters and an earthy realism that gives the timeless Old Testament narrative so much power. You’ll find echoes of contemporary issues throughout: deceit, heartbreak, loss, war, and, of course, the power of love. Naomi’s combined strength and tenderness becomes the pivot upon which a nation turns; her decisions ultimately lead to the founding of the family lineage of Jesus Christ.

Breathtaking descriptions, shocking violence, and inspirational courage make this spellbinding novel by a beloved award-winning author a story you won’t soon forget. It’s the perfect novel for your book group, and a satisfying read for those who love thoughtful biblical fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Historical, Ebooks

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2010

About the author

Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is mainly a fictionalized expansion of the actual verses of Judges 18-21 and all of Ruth. It goes from 11 years before Judges 18 at a fictionalized meeting between Naomi when she is 22 and when the woman mentioned in Judges 18 is 5 years old to all the way to Samuel 16 when Ruth's great grandson David is anointed to be the future 2nd king of Israel through whose line the Savior would be born. There are scripture quotations and histories interspersed in from the other books preceding Judges (from Genesis on wards) as well as poetic allusions to Psalms and Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).

Using the plot device of Boaz wandering in a self inflicted exile pilgrimage of the lands surrounding the Israelites you get to know the origins of the other various Abrahamic connected people who neighbor the Israelites. Boaz also reflects on the Judaic traditions of his people as he visits the historical sites where events happened to precede such traditions. The whole book was a enlightening exposition on ancient Judaic traditions that they followed blindly to the letter of the law ignoring the spirit of the law which sometimes resulted in shocking tragic decisions and consequences.

I read a heavily footnoted and extra study guide information paneled Bible printing of Judges 18 to 21 and Ruth before starting to read the novel because of the foreknowledge given in a prior review that the novel was based on those scriptures. This novel matched the verses, educational footnotes, and study guide panels of the Bible I read in storyline and Judaic traditions. The most shocking, profane, sexual, and violent parts of this novel that would seem most likely to be fictionalized were the very parts that came straight from the Old Testament (Tanakh) verses. Let's face it if the Old Testament (Tanakh) was made into a series of movies that closely followed the actual Bible then they would be rated R to X unfortunately. Some other reviewers mentioned profanity, but the only profanity I found was that the kin that was closer in relation to marry Ruth was a called a brass (profane word for backside) by the community and a (profane word for expulsion of gas from backside) by Naomi.

The author could not have so accurately have followed the actual scriptures, and G rated Walt Disneyfied the story, but in chapter 42 through the voice of Naomi you understand why he doesn't. Naomi has decided as the Hakamah who passes on and records through oral tradition the history of God's people, the covenants God establishes with his people, and revelations made to this people, that the history "shall not be abridged" and "distorted, cowled in a consoling lie". I will paraphrase her argument. She decides that if she doesn't accurately describe the entire preceding events that caused the war between Israel and Benjamin, and the horrors done on both sides during the war (instead of romanticizing the war) that history can repeat itself. That if she doesn't show that bad things happen to relatively good Godly people, "that the present generation would always be baffled, would grow angry or frightened, because [the] torn bits of story could no longer embrace and name their [own] real, full, unhappy [life] experiences". That characters without some mortal weakness become legends that can be dismissed easily as not authentic "and become contemptible in the eyes of the enlightened". These false histories than make "God himself, the true God...considered to be [only] ancient empty ritual" and "that without hard histories...there would be no [God] and all the people would do what was right in their own eyes".

Source: My personal purchased library.

[Bob Hayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Christians are familiar with the story of Naomi, and her famous daughter in law, Ruth. Naomi is one of the few women whose story is told at some length in the pages of the Christian Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. But as with so many other stories, many a reader has often wondered what it would be like to be there, living in Naomi's day. The story as found in Scripture is evocative and powerful, but it hints at so much more.

Storytellers have long sought to embellish and add life to the stories of the Bible. Walter Wangerin Jr. takes up his pen to weave a rich tale around the life of Naomi. His novel Naomi and Her Daughters covers many Biblical accounts and situates the characters in the story firmly in a believing Jewish context. And in his storytelling, Wangerin transports us to life in Palestine circa 1100 B.C.

Without giving away the plotline, I can say he imagines Naomi's life as a spiritual leader in the village of Bethlehem. He sees her adopting another daughter, whose story is recounted in another Old Testament book. He also recounts the tale of Boaz, finding him in other tales of Scripture. As the Biblical book of Ruth is situated before the accounts in Samuel and Kings, the mysterious period of the Judges must be its background. That era had its ups and downs and Wangerin traces the paths of the main characters through that turbulent period.

The book is a story of faith in a covenant keeping God -- and of long periods of doubt. It's a story of redemption and grace, and also the miseries of evil and suffering. War and peace, love and despair, bravery and cowardice, honor and depravity -- the juxtapositions of human experience find their place in this story. The technique the author uses of bouncing back and forth between the past and the present helps the reader experience the story vicariously with all its ups and downs.

Wangerin doesn't shy away from reading in between the lines and drawing out implications from the Scripture accounts. He puts psalms and Scripture promises in the mouths of the characters as well, and succeeds in bringing that day and age to life. In so doing, he runs the risk of interpreting accounts differently than the reader, but we will grant him this privilege. The history most likely didn't play out as he envisions it, and at times the tale is more earthy than some readers will want. But I believe he has captured the heart and spirit of the tale of Naomi most powerfully.

Naomi's tale has much relevance for our own day. Hers wasn't a rosy life free of thorns. Hers wasn't a happy-go-lucky faith detached from the realities of life in a sin-cursed and ever so fallen world. Her story is meant to inspire strong faith in a covenant-keeping God. Christians share Naomi's God and can have Naomi's faith. Sharing Naomi's life story will help us find that faith, and Naomi and Her Daughters will help us in this quest.

Disclaimer: A pre-published galley of this book was provided by Zondervan Publishing for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Pick up a copy of this book at Amazon.com or through Zondervan direct. An expanded version of this review will also be available at CrossFocusedReviews.com.

[Colleen Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this. It was intriguing--so many layers of ideas to make life in that time period more realistic, and to answer questions that inquiring minds may ask. The story begins in Judges 19-21, with Wangerin imagining Naomi and Elimelech being closely involved in the life of the Levite's concubine and the abuse that started a civil war in Israel. The concubine was from Bethlehem, after all--Elimelech's hometown. How would I react to such lawlessness in my nation?

Then the story of returning to Bethlehem with a foreigner as daughter-in-law. And who is this man, Boaz, who is not unkind to this dark girl from an enemy nation? Wangerin shows him as a man deeply wounded by the events and losses of the civil war, but more mature for the experience.

Wangerin skillfully uses flashbacks, cultural details, and that imagination of his to paint a rich story of human beings adapting to the adversities of their time.

[Chickadee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoy Biblical historical fiction and looked forward to reading Naomi And Her Daughters by Walter Wangerin Jr.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and he certainly added some interesting twists to the age old story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Don’t be fooled by the cover – this is not your typical “romantic” re-telling of the Ruth/Boaz story. This book is full of war and death and is grittier than you might anticipate so if you’re expecting a kind and gentle love story, you may be let down.

To be honest, I was caught off guard by the rough language and sexual innuendos. At times this story is a bit crude and I didn’t expect to find it in a title being marketed as Christian historical fiction. The book also begins with a rather grisly murder however, if those issues don’t concern you, then you will probably enjoy Naomi And Her Daughters.

You have to keep in mind that this is a work of fiction and the author includes characters who are not related to scripture. All in all, readers will need to decide for themselves if this is a book for them.

I would strongly caution parents to pre-read it before allowing their teens to pick it up.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his powerful and original retelling of the story in the book of Ruth, Wangerin gives Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi, portrayed in the biblical story mainly as an unsympathetic character, embittered by tragedy and grief, a back story and a character that explains and justifies Ruth's devotion to her. The character of Boaz, the man who befriends Ruth and Naomi in their impoverished widowhood, is also given motivation and a past.

Moving back and forth over some thirty years, Wangerin never loses control of his narrative and paints a portrait of an entire society, effortlessly weaving in other biblical stories and poetry from the Psalms and the Song of Songs, particularly through the chants and musings of Naomi, who is portrayed as a hakamah, a wise woman, healer and storyteller in her native village of Bethlehem.

Naomi and her Daughters is sure to deepen any reader's appreciation of the book of Ruth and the world in which it is set.

[Allen Steele · Rating 2 out of 5]

The by-line says "Master Story teller" ok!, but in my opinion it is not true. This is the third book I've read from this author, His non-fiction book- As for me and My House was very good, but his fiction is not only out the box, it's not in the same zip code, very random, just sticking stories from the Bible in the meat of the book, but not explaining why they mean anything for the Ruth- Boaz story, some were completely unrelated.skips around from two much. Not written well, it just doesn't flow as a book should. it's possible I am just too harsh, but I'm not reading anymore fiction from this author, I've got better things to waste my time.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Knowing the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, I read this entire book, hoping that there would be some redeeming value to it, at least at the end. I am so very disappointed by this book. The Bible story of these three people is so filled with honor, blessing, hope, patience, service, kindness, love. This book was raw and dark, ugly in all the ways of this broken world. I understand that there was more to the lives of these three individuals than the four chapters in the book of Ruth. I am also aware that they were human, prone to sin, subjected to the darknesses of this world, no matter their role in the Divine lineage. But the way in which they were portrayed, in fact, the over- and undertones of this entire book were so repulsive to me, that I became increasingly grateful that I had just completed a personal Bible study on the book of Ruth to help me see all the ways this book didn't just fall short, but missed the mark by miles. Otherwise, I think this "telling" would have hurt my very soul, rather than merely disgusting me.

This book is NOT Biblical fiction. It's not even Christian fiction. It's not even really historical fiction. It's just pure fiction. I realized this about 30 pages in and hoped that by casting it in the proper light, I might at least find a good story told. I never did. Good Christian fiction brings us a lesson and concludes with hope and some sort of restoration or redemption: this book offered none of these things. I haven't read much Biblical fiction, and I'm going to try not to allow Naomi and Her Daughters to deter me, as I am sure that there are better examples of it out there. I have to believe that, much like good historical fiction, the story is heavily colored by fact and research. Mentioning some people and places from the Bible, alluding to a few of the events that take place, does not make a book Biblical fiction, just like randomly sprinkling in a few historical references does not make a book historical fiction. I was hoping that the end would, at the very least, include an author's note, as my favorite historical fiction authors often use to share where they took liberties and why. It provides context, shows integrity in its honor of the known facts. These liberties should enhance the facts that we know, giving them color and life, not rewrite history and then sell it as based in reality. This book went so far sideways, it wasn't "out of the box" nor a "retelling," but an entire work of fiction with some familiar names and places scattered about. Not even good fiction, it was fragmented, jerking back and forth in time, the sentence and paragraph structures awkward and jerky.

I am utterly disappointed. The truth of it is that I only finished this book so that I could write this review without any chance I was going to be inaccurate or incomplete with my assessment.

[Rachael Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adult book – with some difficult content (after all the Book of Judges is R rated), one sensual scene, and some scattered dirty words (usually used in the most literal sense as the Bible does for what comes out of fat king Eglon when Ehud kills him). Some of it was difficult to read – but then so are the stories from Judges (which he quotes at several notable stages).
But its a fantastic interweaving of stories from Judges & Ruth. What if Naomi had adopted the girl who became the Levite’s concubine? What if Boaz’s father died in the following battle? Unlike liberal theologians that try to add centuries between the events of Joshua and Judges and Ruth, Wangerin weaves a convincing and powerful story of faith, evil sin & destruction, sin’s consequences, and redemption. Jumping back and forth between Naomi’s memories of the Concubine (named Milcah here) and the present distress of the battle, and then later on when she returns from Moab, Wangerin brings these stories to life. And his writing is clear, crisp, and powerful!
*Content Warning: he portrays Naomi’s plan as Ruth propositioning Boaz and asking to be his mistress. While it is sensual, it remains true to Scripture and no sin occurs in this scene. It was the one scene I felt conflicted about.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the life of Naomi and Ruth from the Bible. Obviously, the author is a gifted researcher who has 'filled in the blanks' of the Bible by setting Ruth's story in the context of the biblical times in which she lived. The thoughts and actions of the people involved are more understandable when the reader can see the times and problems that affected them.

However, I absolutely hated the back-and-forth nature of the chapters. It stopped the action and made for confusing reading. I have never read this technique used in which it added to the story. It is irritating.

I know this is a great writer, he's won the National Book Award; however, I didn't like this book. The characters were not compelling or particularly likable.

[Jeff Danhauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is certainly an interesting and entertaining attempt to craft 'back stories' for each of the major players in the Biblical book of Ruth, and though I enjoyed the story, yet I found distressing the back stories crafted in particular for Naomi and for Boaz. I'll not give away the specifics. However, when using a Biblical account as a jumping off point you must be held to a higher standard and I felt the character expressed for Naomi and Boaz while certainly possible to be in contrast to the character described or implied by the Biblical account in both people later in life.

[Ruth E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naomi's first daughter was adopted and became the wife of the Levite from Ephraim who was raped and murdered. Although that part of the story was accurate, I do not really believe that she was Naomi's adopted daughter. There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that. I also was not crazy about how Boaz was depicted in his younger years. The last third of the book was fairly good, but the whole book did a lot of jumping around and included bits I didn't think were necessary. It was a fair story, but I feel it was just that, a story.

[Rachel Mayes Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Judges and Ruth provide such rich source material, but unfortunately this novelization did not capitalize on it. The characters were painfully one-dimensional, and the split timeline and perspective jumps did them no developmental favors. There were also some weird biblical stretches (e.g. Naomi had a relationship with the Levite's concubine from the infamous Judges account; Ruth got naked in front of Boaz for some indiscernible reason) that added nothing to the story. Unfortunately, another poor example of dramatizing Scripture.

[Marin Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi madre got me this book for Christmas and finally got around to reading it. really liked how the author expanded on the Ruth + Boaz story and incorporated more of Naomi's past (and his imagination about her background). it was interesting reading this shortly after reading thru Ruth and the OT from the Bible recap!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing immersed me into the times, traditions, and cultures of the books of Judges and Ruth. The Biblical characters were brought to life—Naomi’s bitterness shined through especially. The stories were violent and vivid (not straying from the Old Testament account, but when described in detail seem all the more horrendous).

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was strange. I can’t tell if it’s because the style choices drove the storytelling and so some of it was confusing or if it was darker than I expected (which is saying something…it’s a story set in the time of the judges!) or if the theology was a little muddy in my interpretation of the story. Whatever it was, this wasn’t for me.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so hard to bring something new to this familiar Bible story. However, this author did well! It was interesting to think about how the story of Ruth might have fit in with other Biblical narratives from Judges.

[April Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of Naomi and Ruth is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. This was the worst retelling of the story I've ever read. It was so back & forth that it was just confusing. The real essence of the story was lost.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly fictional retelling
I love Biblical fiction but this felt quite far fetched at times. I didn't mind the back and forth and it was well written but the back stories to the characters seemed unrealistic

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A refreshing take on the Bible story of Ruth and Naomi.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved the story of Ruth and Naomi

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but it never happened.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a bit disappointed with this one. I love most of Wangerin's work but this one was not all I had hoped for, I guess.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a highly imaginative and fictionalized retelling of the story of Naomi. Very little of it resonates with the narrative of her found in the Bible.

[Mary Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is very enjoyable.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the idea. I enjoyed the execution of it much less. But it was great to have Wangerin help me enter the world of the Bible in the period of the Judges.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting retelling of the events of Judges and Boaz’s story, including meeting Ruth. I wished there was more Ruth.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Walter Wangerin
Title: Naomi and Her Daughters
Description (source): From master storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. comes this familiar biblical saga told in a fresh, transfixing way. You'll feel you've never heard it before! Melding historical accuracy with imaginative detail, Wangerin uses the biblical books of Judges and Ruth to explore themes of love, faith, grief and community set against a backdrop of war and political instability. The widow Naomi grieves the deaths of her two adult sons after the shocking murder of a beloved adopted daughter, while pondering her responsibilities toward her Moabite daughters-in-law. Ancient Israel is in chaos. When her daughter-in-law, Ruth, begs to return to Israel with Naomi, events are set in motion that will change the course of history. But wait...this isn't the tame, flannel graph story you heard in Sunday School. In the tradition of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent and Elissa Elliott's Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, Wangerin imbues his tale with strong female characters and an earthy realism that gives the timeless Old Testament narrative so much power. You'll find echoes of contemporary issues throughout: deceit, heartbreak, loss, war, and, of course, the power of love. Naomi's combined strength and tenderness becomes the pivot upon which a nation turns; her decisions ultimately lead to the founding of the family lineage of Jesus Christ. Breathtaking descriptions, shocking violence, and inspirational courage make this spellbinding novel by a beloved award-winning author a story you won't soon forget. It's the perfect novel for your book group, and a satisfying read for those who love thoughtful biblical fiction. (Amazon)
Review source: I downloaded on kindle for free.
Plot: Wangerin imagines that the horrific story from Judges of the Levite’s concubine is also a part of Naomi’s story; in fact this woman is Naomi’s first “daughter.” This story makes up the first part of the book; subsequent parts deal with Boaz, and Naomi’s sojourn in Moab, with only the last section dealing with the familiar story of Ruth.
Characters: Naomi and Boaz are the two characters who appear throughout the book; Ruth appears only toward the end. I never felt like I really understood these characters, especially Boaz, who is borderline crazy and pretty scary in the first part of the book. Naomi is the best-realized character, but even with her, there is a remove. Perhaps it is a result of Wangerin reporting actions, but not entering the thoughts of the characters?
Writing style: Wangerin is one of those people who writes “literary” Christian fiction, and as such, I should like him, but I’ve never really warmed up to him. I really tried to read his best-known book, The Book of the Dun Cow, but just couldn’t get interested. I did read a non-fiction book of his on marriage, but that one and this one are the only two books of his that I’ve read. His style is spare and feels to me like it’s at an emotional remove (for the horrible events in this book, that may be a good thing). He intersperses Scripture regularly, so the style has to work with the biblical poetry, which it mostly does, though Wangerin does adapt some modern-sounding slang.
Audience: The description pretty much nails it: women who read novels based on biblical stories. Christian men would probably also enjoy the book, if they ever picked it up, since it’s anything but “mushy.” The problem with getting an audience for this kind of book is getting people to read it in the first place, since it’s based on the Bible. This isn’t the kind of book I typically read, so any rating I give is probably lower than someone who is in the target audience would give it.
Wrap-up: This isn’t the kind of book that one “enjoys.” Nonetheless, I did stay interested in it and want to finish it. I’m still not a huge Wangerin fan, but I know that there are plenty of them without me. 3.5/5*

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother reading this turkey of a novel. The author tries to weave together different things that do not fit. His portrayal of Boaz is particularly shoddy. If you want an actual exciting true account, read the last few chapters of Judges and the book of Ruth in the Bible.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, but if you choose to read it, make sure it is either a single read or you take notes throughout the book. I have been doing multiple reads, as many as 15 books, for years and thought it would be no problem to keep characters straight, however, there are alot of them that interplay and need to be kept straight. I made the mistake with The Red Tentof not doing this and it really screwed me up. I also think I would have been better prepared for a reading group which I needed to read it for. I think I would have enjoyed it more, as well. This read, I made sure to take notes and I enjoyed it more than the red tent.

[Erik Bonkovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book but it didn't deliver. It did a good job of imagining how some of the Biblical stories involving Naomi could fit together, but it didn't tell a compelling story itself. The Biblical accounts themselves are better story. Plus, the dis-chronologizing was distracting and a bit show-offy.