Noah's Wife: 5500 B.C.E
T.K. Thorne, 2009
Blackburn Fork Publishing
352 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780983787808
Summary
A ForeWord Reviews BOOK OF THE YEAR for Historical Fiction.
Noah’s Wife transports readers to an ancient time and place, while delving into issues that affect our contemporary lives—family relationships, autism, religious freedom, kidnapping and cultural change.
A biblical novel that is not “Religious Fiction,” T.K. Thorne’s version weaves myth, history, and archeological findings with her vivid imagination, wisdom and humor into an epic tale you will not forget. Told from the unique perspective of a young girl with what is now called Aspergers, this is the story of Noah’s completely unknown wife, Na’amah.
Na’amah wishes only to be a shepherdess on her beloved hills in ancient Turkey—a desire shattered by the hatred of her powerful brother and the love of two men.
Her savant abilities and penchant to speak truth forces her to walk a dangerous path in an age of change—a time of challenge to the goddess’ ancient ways, when cultures clash and the earth itself is unstable. When foreign raiders kidnap her, Na’amah’s journey to escape and return home becomes an attempt to save her people from the disaster only she knows is coming.
A few interesting tidbits:
- Scientists (including Robert Ballard, the explorer who found the sunken Titanic) discovered evidence that the Black Sea was once a fresh water lake that flooded in a cataclysmic event around 5500.
- The oldest known worshipped deity was female! The role of the feminine in the divine was entwined with early Judaism and keeps reappearing throughout history.
- One in every 88 persons has a form of autism. The choice to make Noah’s wife an Asperger savant stemmed from personal experience in the author’s life and gives the story a distinctive perspective. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Born—N/A
• Where—Montgomery, Alabama, USA
• Education—M.S.W, University of Alabama, magna cum laude
• Awards—(see below)
• Currently—lives near Birmingham, Alabama
Awards
- ForeWord Reviews "BOOK OF THE YEAR" for Historical Fiction
- Winner of Portland Book Review for Short Fiction
- Winner of Chattahoochee Valley Writer's Contest for Short Fiction
- Winner of Eugene Walters Writers Festival Termite Hall for Screenplay
- Winner of Magic City Writers' Contest for Short Fiction
Storyteller
T.K.Thorne’s childhood passion for storytelling deepened when she became a police officer in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was a crash course in life and what motivated and mattered to people.” When she retired as a captain, she took on Birmingham’s business improvement district as the executive director. Both careers provide fodder for her writing, which has garnered several awards, including “Book of the Year for Historical Fiction” (ForeWord Reviews) for her debut novel Noah’s Wife. Her first non-fiction book, Last Chance for Justice, was featured on the New York Post’s “Books You Should Be Reading” list. She loves traveling, especially to research her novels, and speaking about her books and life lessons.
Thorne is step-mother to three and grandmother to four, all boys. She lives with her husband, Roger, on a mountain in Alabama where she writes, often with two dogs and a cat vying for her lap.
Community
A Leader in her community, she has served on numerous community boards and been recognized with various community awards including:
- Birmingham International Center’s “Motivating Women”
- Chamber of Commerce’s Jesse Lewis Community Service Award
- Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award
- Operation New Birmingham’s Achievement Award
- The Community Affairs’ “Liberty & Justice Award”
- Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top Birmingham Business Women”
T.K. Shares A Few Fun Facts About Herself:
- I’m a 4th degree black belt in the martial art of Aikido.
- At age 8, I won a ribbon for being stubborn.
- I dove the Great Blue Hole in Belize, the largest sea hole in the world.
- As a rookie police officer, I had to devise a different way to hold a gun because my hands were too small.
- I need Indian food at least once a week.
- Frogs make me smile. (From the author.)
More information available on Wikepedia: T.K. Thorne
Blogs at TKs-Tales.com
Website: www.tkthorne.com
T.K. Talks About Her Writing...(see About page)
Book Reviews
T.K. Thorne is a magical writer. In Noah’s Wife, she turns Biblical lore upside down...and makes us believe every word of this novel is true. Her writing is flat-out brilliant and spellbinding.
Elsa Rutherford, NiftyPickle.com columnist, novelist
. . . a terrific storyteller.
Sena Jeter Naslund, Bestselling novelist, Ahab's Wife, Four Spirits, etc.
. . . an extraordinary work.
Dianne Mooney, founder of Southern Living At Home
. . . a novel of epic sweep, emotional power, and considerable beauty.”
Ron Gholson, The Blount Countian
. . . awed at Thorne’s ability to work magic with words. Her mastery kept me awake many nights.
Sherry Kughn, Anniston Star
Noah's Wife is one of the best novels I have ever read—and I average about a book a week.
Barry Marks, Alabama Poetry Book of the Year
So compelling and readable. Brava! Excellent! I am basking in the glow of a fascinating, complex read.
Jane Archer, Professor of English, Birmingham Southern College
Well-researched, well-written, engaging book that is absolutely one of the best reads I have had in a long time.
Gail Sheldon, Director, Oneonta Public Library
Masterfully created. It is a MUST READ! Thorne is exceptionally gifted in her sensitivity to life, love, and loss.
L. Nolan-Ruiz, Editor, InternationalBookCafé.com
A novel of great enchantment, suspense and power . . . looks like a BESTSELLER to me.
Malcom R. Campbell, author, Sun Seeker and Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire
. . .new depth to an old story in a beautiful novel of truth, love, and survival.
Irene Latham, author & poet, Leaving Gee's Bend and What Came Before
. . . with an understanding of what makes us humans tick, Thorne looks at our origins in a brand new way. It’s more Clan of the Cave Bear than theological treatise—and that's a whole lot more fun!
John Archibald, Birmingham News
Not since Mists of Avalon or Ahab’s Wife have I enjoyed such a finely crafted woman’s point of view on an oft-told tale.
Perle Champion, freelance writer and artist, Alabama Writer's Forum
Discussion Questions
1. How does this book challenge your perception of the way the story of Noah is traditionally told?
2. Noah’s Wife predates organized religion. How and why did the author use the concepts of Father God and Mother Goddess in the book? Do they have validity today?
3. How does Na’amah perceive and relate to the world because of her Asperger Syndrome?
4. How does her condition help her/limit her on her journey?
5. How did Savta influence Na’amah’s development and journey?
6. Discuss how your perception of Tubal changes as the story evolves.
7. What part does understanding the “cycle of violence” play in forgiveness? Can you forgive Tubal? Yanner?
8. What is the significance of Bennu in the story?
9. What is the significance of water for Na’amah?
10. Why do you think bees are a reoccurring theme?
11. How did the story use the distinctions between clans, Elders and the gods?
12. How do the relationships between Yanner, Noah, and Na’amah define the different aspects of love?