Angela Hunt is a master storyteller and proves it once again with this fascinating and somewhat surprising Biblical fiction tale!
Disciple Matthew, a former tax collector, is invited to work with Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem. He dreams of preaching and performing miracles like his fellow apostles, but he finds his dreams postponed because of a request from Yeshua’s mother. Well aware of the passing years, Mary asks Matthew to help her record the stories of Yeshua while the eyewitnesses are still alive. Reluctantly, he agrees, though the longer he and Mary work together, the more difficult their task becomes. Not only are they pressured by opposition from friends and foes alike, but Gaius Caesar, better known as Caligula, is determined to raise a statue of himself in the Holy Temple, even if it means killing every man in Israel. As Matthew works to save his people, Mary encourages him to come to terms with issues from his past. When they finally near the completion of their project, Matthew realizes that the job he reluctantly accepted might be his God-given destiny.
I was intrigued by this book from the moment I read the blurb. I’ve only read one book about Mary the Mother of Jesus before and it was more focused on the Christmas story, so it was very interesting to me to read about what Mary’s life might have been like after Jesus’ resurrection. I’d never pondered the idea of Mary wanting to record her memories about Jesus’ life, but the idea actually makes sense and could have happened. I enjoyed viewing these familiar stories through the eyes of Mary, and enjoyed seeing her relationship with Matthew grow as they worked together.
I enjoyed learning more about what Matthew’s life could have been like, as well. I empathized with his struggle to accept that his calling as an apostle looked different from that of Peter or John. As a writer, I could commiserate with his frustration with Mary over their differing views about how the stories should be written. It was fascinating to think of how Mary could have possibly influenced how Matthew wrote his account of the Gospel, and the very plausible reason for why the Gospels are so bare on details.
I didn’t become engrossed in this book as quickly as I did with the first book in the series, and my emotions weren’t stirred as often as they were with book two, but by the end of this book, I could say I truly loved the journey it took me on. I was left in tears during the last chapter! Oh, my heart!! I wish I could say what made me cry, but it would be a major spoiler, so… you’ll just have to read the book and find out for yourself!! But if you’re a crier like me, make sure you have some tissues handy.
If you’re a Biblical fiction fan, A Woman of Words, and the entirety of Angela Hunt’s Jerusalem Road series, is a must read! 4.5/5 Stars!
**I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.**
