"If I had to sum up Mary F. Burns’ literary historical novel J: The Woman Who Wrote the Bible in three words, they would be: original, thought-provoking, and mesmerizing. Burns imagines a rich and captivating life for the woman scholar J who lived in the Solomonic Courts. J becomes Hokhma Janaia, the eldest daughter of King David, a woman who defies stereotypes and experiences intense visions of both present and future events. Janaia is an instantly likable character and the world she lives in is beautifully brought to life. Whether or not you're familiar with the stories of King David and King Solomon, the intrigue and drama are sure to sweep you away. The story begins with her living in a cave with her family; her father was prophesied to rise up and become king of Israel. The story follows her journey to power, her desire to find true love, her role as a seer and prophet, and her struggle to learn and be accepted. "Almost no one knows that I have learned to write," Janaia says in the book's prologue. "In the old days, a girl among men, I would have been banished at once, or even killed, and though these are more indulgent times, there is still envy and ambition and fear." Janaia defines herself by her ability to read, write, and her visions in a world where mothers and wives were not allowed these skills. The Woman Who Wrote the Bible is an unbelievably interesting and at times heart wrenching story, and one that should not be missed." -- Jennifer Melville From Amazon.com reviews:
"Given that this is fictional, the blending of biblical fact with the life and times of "Janaia" (the only fictional character)with facts, locations, and circumstances reported in the Old Testament makes the Bible come alive. A great job of blending characters, events, and locations from the historical texts to make this a must-read for all fans of great fiction. Well done!" A.W.Root
"After attending several Bible studies and having a basic undertanding of the Bible, author Mary Burns took me to a totally new place of thought in her book, The Woman Who Wrote the Bible. After a bit of initial difficulty navigating the names of the characters, I hit page 80 or so and never looked back as the story totally wrapped me up in Janaia's world. What is not to love about the story of a strong, gifted woman who navigates her way through life at a time when women had little influence and power. The novel allowed me to see things from a perspective I would never have imagined. It connects biblical stories with characters that come to life and made me ponder how things really may have happened. Her character displays loyalty, love, honor and confidence. The book reinforces the need to look at life not by what you have, but by who you are surrounded by. Janaia is a character you will think about long after you have finished reading this wondefully written novel." Diane Merrion
"Mary Burns' novel, J: THE WOMAN WHO WROTE THE BIBLE, is a fascinating story of Janaia, King David's eldest daughter, and her struggle to overcome the male dominated religious customs of the period. The characters are well-drawn and compelling, the prose is strong and poetic, and her research provides a believable foundation for its imaginative premise. The novel was captivating from beginning to end. I recommend this book without hesitation. This would also be an excellent selection for a book club discussion." Jeanne “I was immediately caught up in its magic and could not put it down from the first page, until the dramatic and wholly unexpected ending…The novel is enchantingly told, full of beautiful poeticand magnificent imagery.This is a book in which love and friendship, jealousy and strife, forgiveness and heartache, wisdom and devotion rapidly overtake each other, to form an enthralling whole.Steeped in deep understanding of the Bible, it makes the world of ancient Israel come vibrantly alive, while also building bridges across cultures and civilizations.”Eva Etzioni-Halevy,author of The Song of Hannah, The Garden of Ruth, and The Triump of Deborah
“In her captivating debut novel, Burns has crafted a lush and poetical story of how the Hebrew Bible came to be. Harold Bloom may have introduced us to J (the woman scribe who lived during the Solomonic courts of 960-922 B.C.), but Burns has put flesh and bones on her, clothed her in emotional finery, and imagined her as King David’s daughter—royalty we can relate to. Quick-paced and full of intrigue, rife with unexpected twists and turns, J—The Woman Who Wrote the Bible will keep you turning the pages, whether or not you’re familiar with the age-old tales.”
“A fascinating debut challenging the tradition that men wrote the Bible, this richly imagined novel is vivid and complex; an engrossing story with a strong-minded, strong-hearted heroine. Rich in poetic language, "J" gives us a woman's undaunted quest for both knowledge and love in the treacherous world of King David's court.", India Edghill,
"A work of fiction that is very readable and plausible, but not intended to interfere with our belief of Scripture. I find that the atmosphere evoked, of the times the stories are set, opens a new understanding of the people involved and how God dealt with them and worked among them and I have no problem sorting fact and fiction in my mind. A thoroughly good and enjoyable read."
