The Preservationist
Registered by irishajo of Teachey, North Carolina USA on 7/17/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
5 journalers for this copy...
From Publishers Weekly
Visitations from God are a mixed blessing for Noah and his family in Maine's spirited, imaginative debut. Noah (aka "Noe") may have pissed himself upon hearing God's instructions to build an arc, but he sets to the task without delay. He crosses the desert to buy lumber from giants; his eldest, Sem, fetches Cham, the son with shipbuilding skills; Sem's wife, Bera, and Cham's wife, Ilya, gather the animals; and Japheth, Noe's youngest, helps, too, in between goofing off and "rutting" with wife Mirn. And, of course, there's "the wife," 600-year-old Noe's once-teenage bride, who takes everything "Himself" (that's Noe, not God) dishes out with time-tested practicality. Wildly different in temperament, age and provenance, these characters, each telling part of the story, help create a brilliant kaleidoscopic analysis of the situation: the neighbors who ridicule Noe and clan; the inner doubts and shifting alliances; the varying feelings toward God, whose presence is always felt and sometimes resented. The flood comes as a relief from the wondering ("who is crazier: the crazy man or the people who put their faith in him?"), but hardship soon follows. Though the ending is already written, Maine enlivens every step toward it with small surprises. A story of faith and survival (think Life of Pi thousands of years earlier with a much larger cast of characters), this debut is a winner.
Visitations from God are a mixed blessing for Noah and his family in Maine's spirited, imaginative debut. Noah (aka "Noe") may have pissed himself upon hearing God's instructions to build an arc, but he sets to the task without delay. He crosses the desert to buy lumber from giants; his eldest, Sem, fetches Cham, the son with shipbuilding skills; Sem's wife, Bera, and Cham's wife, Ilya, gather the animals; and Japheth, Noe's youngest, helps, too, in between goofing off and "rutting" with wife Mirn. And, of course, there's "the wife," 600-year-old Noe's once-teenage bride, who takes everything "Himself" (that's Noe, not God) dishes out with time-tested practicality. Wildly different in temperament, age and provenance, these characters, each telling part of the story, help create a brilliant kaleidoscopic analysis of the situation: the neighbors who ridicule Noe and clan; the inner doubts and shifting alliances; the varying feelings toward God, whose presence is always felt and sometimes resented. The flood comes as a relief from the wondering ("who is crazier: the crazy man or the people who put their faith in him?"), but hardship soon follows. Though the ending is already written, Maine enlivens every step toward it with small surprises. A story of faith and survival (think Life of Pi thousands of years earlier with a much larger cast of characters), this debut is a winner.
Headed to Trekwoman for postage.
Journal Entry 3 by trekwoman from -- Somewhere In The State --, California USA on Friday, December 22, 2006
On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my postman brought to meeee.. NINE ANIMALS IN AN ARRRRRRRRRRRK (whew, stinky goats. "The Preservationist"), eight Photographs, Seven families, Six girls a burning, Five clear-rings, four Roman Walls, Three Northern lights, Two killer angels and a copy of "Rhine Journey".
Journal Entry 4 by trekwoman from -- Somewhere In The State --, California USA on Monday, March 19, 2007
I tried this and found it to be somewhat strange, and not really to my liking. M expressed an interest but we've decided to send it out again to etherea (bfp) so she can read it for Book Club, and we're going to dig up a large print version from the library system.
Thanks for sending this one for postage. It's the April selection for my book club and next up on Mt TBR.
I'll journal again after I read it.
I'll journal again after I read it.
I agree with Trekwoman: this book was strange and not quite to my liking. Apparently, I set it aside after the book club in April and forgot to journal again. Sorry about that!
I'm ready to pass it on now.
I'm ready to pass it on now.
I'm sending this out to booklady331 as a replacement for the book she didn't get in the Spring Fling.
I cheated and looked at her wishlist:)
I cheated and looked at her wishlist:)
Arrived today. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Etherea!!!! I was surprised. I told Dovilibri not to worry. After reading the other journals, I hope I enjoy it. It sounded so interesting when I put it on my wish list. I'll journal after I read it and find another person to pass it on to.
Finished the book. I thought the writing style interesting, but like the other readers someone disappointed in the book. I have PMed another BC who has this book on her wish list. It is hers if she wants it. If not I will try another BCer.
The cover is unique and just awesome. The book is worth the cover and dust jacket.
The cover is unique and just awesome. The book is worth the cover and dust jacket.
Journal Entry 10 by booklady331 at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (2/25/2009 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
off to glade1 as a RABCK. This book is on her wish list.
off to glade1 as a RABCK. This book is on her wish list.
Received this in the mail last week and forgot to journal it. Sorry! It's safe and sound and I very much appreciate the nice RABCK! Not sure when this will make it to the top of Mt. TBR but I'll take good care of it until then. Thanks again, booklady!!
I guess I'm the only one, but I loved this book! It brings the story of Noah to life, with all the questions and doubts any of us would have in a situation like that. But mostly, it brings humanity to these legendary characters. They all have distinct personalities. I particularly loved Mirn, whose care for the smallest and slitheriest of God's creatures ensured that they survived. And Ilya, whose northern roots gave her a different point of view, and whose inquiring mind adds a bit of a modern touch to the story. Maine provides a tale that is true to the Biblical story but allows for science and difference too. It's a fine balance.
I am always amazed at writers who can look at ancient stories and breathe new life into them. (The Secret Chord, by Geraldine Brooks, is another one.) I have such a plodding, literal viewpoint - it's wonderful to be entertained by such imagination!
I am always amazed at writers who can look at ancient stories and breathe new life into them. (The Secret Chord, by Geraldine Brooks, is another one.) I have such a plodding, literal viewpoint - it's wonderful to be entertained by such imagination!
Journal Entry 13 by glade1 at Little Free Library at Eclectic By Nature in Greensboro, North Carolina USA on Saturday, April 24, 2021
Released 2 yrs ago (4/24/2021 UTC) at Little Free Library at Eclectic By Nature in Greensboro, North Carolina USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Congratulations! You have found a BookCrossing book, which is traveling around in search of new readers. Please take a moment to note where you found the book, and, if you can, spend some time browsing the site.
BookCrossing is a community of readers with a mission to share books by "releasing" them into the wild, as well as trading and sharing with each other. Our forums are a wonderful place to chat with other readers about what you are reading and anything else that's on your mind. It's lots of fun!
Once you are finished with this book, please take the time to make another journal entry telling what you thought about it and where it's going next. Thanks!
BookCrossing is a community of readers with a mission to share books by "releasing" them into the wild, as well as trading and sharing with each other. Our forums are a wonderful place to chat with other readers about what you are reading and anything else that's on your mind. It's lots of fun!
Once you are finished with this book, please take the time to make another journal entry telling what you thought about it and where it's going next. Thanks!