In the Shadow of the Ark

Following on the commerical success of Anita Diamant's 'The Red Tent,' publishers have struck on Belgian author Anne Provoost's retelling of the story of Noah's Ark as their next great hope...
However, although it does tell a Biblical story from the perspective of a young woman, in many ways the two are not very similar books.
Where 'Red Tent' is in many ways a very historical, 'how it might have been' kind of tale, Provoost is more concerned with the mythic and especially the allegorical elements of the story. The cultures of the tribal peoples she portrays are more symbolic than based in archaeological research.
Through the classic story of Noah, focusing on a young woman, the daughter of a shipbuilder, who becomes Noah's son Ham's show more concubine, Provoost explores the themes of righteousness and evil, the hubris of claiming to be 'chosen,' and the pettiness of a god that would destroy the innocent in favor of one family of no particular merit or virtuousness... especially since, as Provoost points out, the flood failed to eliminate evil from the world. (But is this due to a failing in the Unnameable's plan? Or is it due to the failings of the chosen family... including allowing non-chosen stowaways on the ark, and secretly making sacrifices to the old gods while on the ark... (they even sacrifice the dove.... how symbolic!))
Interestingly, in the story, the characters (and Provoost? it's hard to tell) do not question the existence of deities - just their motivations and justifications.

An interesting book - but it doesn't really absorb you in the feeling of life in a different time, as some historical fiction does. Also, it's very thought-provoking... but I can't help feeling that some of this is just that the reader has to question "What exactly did the author MEAN by that ?" because it's not always very clear.. show less

When I saw this novel tucked away in a local charity shop, I pounced immediately. How could I resist a story about the Ark so soon after ferreting deep into the history of its legend? Originally published in Dutch in 2001 (the author is Flemish), it has been translated into English by John Nieuwenhuizen and takes us into a strange and foreign world of fishermen and nomads, boat-builders and prophets. And, at the heart of the tale, is the rumour of a great boat being built in the middle of a desert by a crazy old man, and the young woman who travels with her family to answer the call for workers...

For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2018/03/30/in-the-shadow-of-the-ark-anne-provoost/

SPOILER ALERT.

This is an interesting retelling of the story of Noah's Ark. The main supposition is that building the ark would need many more hands than that of Noah's sons, so the construction would have required a small city of people.

It is to this city that Re Jana and her family flee, brought to this rocky desert landscape from the marshes of Caanan by her mother's recurring nightmares of rising waters. The care and devotion that Re Jana and her father have for her invalid mother is shocking to the wandering people of Noah's camp, as is their dark skin. In turn, Re Jana is put off by the stagnant water consumed by the locals, as well as their poor hygiene. In spite of their reservations, Re Jana's father is able to secure work from show more "The Builder" and Re Jana soon finds work bathing Noah's sons and begins a love affair with Noah's youngest son, Shem. But what will happen to them when the waters rise?

Noah and his family come across as less than sympathetic, especially since their plan depends on the labor of so many who are unaware that they will not find shelter in the ark when the flood begins. Noah's brothers allow Re Jana's invalid mother to be gang-raped by the soldiers guarding the ark, and they themselves rape Re Jana with impunity when they find her hidden among the animals of the ark.

I couldn't put this book down for most of the story. Alas, my anger at the actions of Shem's brothers really affected my ability to enjoy the final chapters of this book. Although none of the sexual scenes were graphic, conservative Christians might be put off by the implied lesbianism between Re Jana and Shem's unloving wife. show less

A very... different... retelling of the Noah's Ark story. I enjoyed the highly imaginative first half immensely but the second half was bizarre. Still an interesting, thought-provoking read, appropriate for snow days!

I just finished this book and found it to be like the Red Tent. The tone of the writing evoked responses in me. I felt more involved with the book than others I have read. It is a bit scattered, however, and sometime hard to follow.

Every Bible character except Ham is pretty much unlikeable. The author made Noah sickly, even though in the Bible Noah lives a long life after the flood. There is a dwarf advising Noah that the author creates. The dwarf really is running the show.

Noah hires help, idea never mentioned in the Bible. And hides the truth about the purpose of the Ark. In the book he need help to build a boat. But the Biblical Ark was really box shaped, no need for special skills to form the bow, no rudder needed.

Exactly why the others are unrighteous are condemned isn't clear. Noah is outraged by the killing of animals for food, yet believes that after the flood it will be allowed. That makes him and God hypocrites. Everyone who does this will be killed, show more but once I kill all those people, hey you can go ahead and do it now.

In the book there are signs of rising water and rain storms.
Like many others the author loves the imagery of a desperate rush to try to get in the open door as the rain goes on.
In this book every one believes Noah about the upcoming flood. Jesus said the people of Noah's day took no note until it was too late. show less

Disappointing. The book seemed to plod along with no emotion whether the main character was falling in love or being raped. The descriptions of the landscape, food, clothes, and everything else seemed very clear but I felt no connection to the people. Perhaps it was a problem with the translation.