HAILED BY O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE, AS “A TITLE TO PICK UP NOW!”In Kristen Wolf’s audacious and timely fiction debut, an unusual girl in the heart of ancient Palestine escapes her life of oppression—undertakes an epic and dangerous journey—and struggles to accept her remarkable calling as a great spiritual leader. Deeply emotional, provocative and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, THE WAY transports … edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, THE WAY transports readers to an exotic world brimming with mystery, betrayal, passion, unforgettable characters and jaw-dropping plot twists.
“Wow, is all I can say. This novel blew me away!”
—Book Pleasures
“I don’t think I could rave anymore about this book … truly one of a kind.”
—Chick Lit Plus
“This imaginative novel may make you a believer.”
—O, The Oprah Magazine
“THE WAY is a daring and passionate debut from an author to watch in the future.”
—Historical Novel Society
“Respelendent writing.”
—Minding Spot
“…page turning and utterly creative.”
—Maria’s Space
Anna is a striking and spirited young girl living in ancient Palestine where being a daughter is a disappointment. While her father excitedly anticipates the birth of his first son, the invisible Anna endures a life of drudgery. One bright spot in her world is the crippled old woman living by the village well who declares that the headstrong girl possesses a powerful destiny. But before the elder can reveal her prophecy an unexpected tragedy strikes Anna’s family and her father—dressing Anna as a boy—sells his daughter to a band of wandering shepherds.
Abandoned and armed with only bravery and wits, Anna must learn to survive the harsh desert and unruly men. Yet just when she masters her bold life of disguise, she stumbles upon a den of mysterious caves and is captured by the secret band of women living inside. Unable to escape, Anna soon discovers that the sisterhood’s mystical teachings and miraculous healing abilities have forced her to question everything she’s been told to believe and—to her amazement—unleashed an astonishing power within her.
But when violent enemies opposed to the women’s ways threaten to destroy them, Anna vows to save her mentors and preserve their powerful wisdom. Forced again to leave home and loved ones behind, a transformed Anna returns to the world of men—as only she can—determined to unfold a daring and dangerous quest. Her final effort drives toward a gripping climax that pits the new leader against overwhelming forces and puts everything she’s become to the test.
Will she succeed and save all she loves… or be condemned?
Gorgeously written, cinematic in scope and utterly captivating, Anna’s bold journey of courage—and its startling revelations—will thrill and inspire readers everywhere.
PRAISE FOR THE WAY:
“Highly descriptive settings, imaginative plot, and flowing script abound.”
—Literary R & R
“THE WAY challenges you to think beyond what you have learned… to expand your vision.”
—Library Girl Reads
“… sure to be a book-club darling.”
—Booklist
“THE WAY is a magical, evocative first novel that I plan to buy a carton of to give to my family and friends. This message of compassion, healing, and respect for women could indeed transform our world.”
—Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of A Woman’s Journey to God
“THE WAY took me on a journey…I was surprised in more ways than I ever could have imagined.”
—Javier Sierra, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Supper
“A bold and powerful story…needs to make its way to the reading lists of women everywhere.”
—Rainbow Reader
“THE WAY will invoke some deep thinking and soul searching… pick it up.”
—Rhodes Review
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The twist that reveals what this book is really about comes early in chapter 2, and it blew me right out of my chair. I jumped to my feet and yelled “Holy sh*t!” I love this book so much. I’m at 70% and only put it down now because I have grandkids here, and I want to finish it when I can give it my full attention. It’s that good. A woman-centric, feminist alternate history novel of drama, emotion, love, and courage that’s as poignant as it is meaningful. If you’re female, you should read this book by Kristen Wolf.Kristen Wolf She’s one to watch.
Blasphemous or merely provocative?
This novel turns the Sunday School stories about Jesus upside down. The setting and culture of Palestine around the time of Jesus provide a realistic backdrop to the shepherds, the trip to the mountain top, the trek across the desert and most of the other Biblical anecdotes. Feeding the multitudes comes off as highly probable. This isn’t a read-in-one-sitting, but I found the book hard to put down. The depiction of Mary Magdalene and Peter and Saul are every bit as imaginative as the portrayal of Jesus. Two logic breaks kept me from rating it 5 stars.
A little slow but well worth it for the thought provoking perspective on Jesus as an androgynous female, navigating a life of hardship. Shifting between male and female personas, the story is inventive and imaginable, with significant wisdom coming from a group of female spiritualists who strive for a world of peace, charity, compassion, nurturing and respect for the gift of life! Now there’s a lovely vision! Nicely done!
**RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW**
Wow. I mean wow. First let me say if you are very religious and/or cannot leave your bias at the door then don’t read this book. You are entitled to your opinion but we must remember, it is a work of fiction.
I admit it took me some time to read. It wasn’t the storyline but the writing itself. This book is an epic of spiritual proportions. But, the writing made it seem to drag on and on. The main character is the only one the author caters to so that you share her pain. But the other characters, not villager 1 etc…, were in a sense main characters and we needed more from them. Toward the end we begin to feel empathy with these players.
That is about all I can say without going in to detail and giving spoilers. Just do as I ask, read with an opinion mind. Who knows, you may open yourself to The Way.
The Way is a very thought-provoking book. When I first started reading it, I noted the similarities to the story of Jesus in the time setting, character names, and general storyline, but had no idea it was meant to be an alternate – of course, fictional – explanation for the events surrounding Jesus’s birth and death. I loved the writing and the characters. The description of the sister’s world inside the rocks called The Narrows is a beautiful picture of what life should be. As the story continues, Jesus, who is really a woman named Anna, the end is brought together well but still left me wondering what the author was trying to convey. A good story and very entertaining…but unsettling if you think about it too much. Not sure that makes sense, but that’s how I feel about this book.
Don’t read this book unless you have a good testimony of GOD THE FATHER, & JESUS CHRIST
Found this book a waste of time, and I LOVE reading!
I am so shocked and simply disgusted. The book is portraying our Lord and Savior as a hermaphrodite. As a Christian, I am even more appalled that so many big names have given this book 5 stars…I am giving it NONE. And what I’m seriously shaking my head at is that if Ms. Wolf would have just made this book about any FICTIONAL characters, other than a story that has Jesus Christ at its center along with the apostles, it would have been a very well written book. I put this book completely down, never to be picked up again, when Jesus Christ was starting to grow breasts….Seriously smh
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book but once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down
So realistic, so believable, enjoining the story very much.