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Sarah: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,752 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The first novel in a dazzling new trilogy about the women of the Old Testament by internationally bestselling author Marek Halter. The story of Sarah--and of history itself--begins in the cradle of civilization: the Sumerian city-state of Ur, a land of desert heat, towering gardens, and immense wealth. The daughter of a powerful lord, Sarah is raised in great luxury, but balks at the arranged marriage her father has planned for her. The groom is handsome and a nobleman, but on their wedding day, Sarah panics and impulsively flees to the vast, empty marshes outside the city walls. There she meets a young man, Abram, a member of a nomadic tribe of outsiders. Drawn to this exotic stranger, Sarah spends the night with him, but reluctantly returns to her father’s house. But on her return, still desperate to avoid another wedding, she drinks a poisonous potion that will make her barren and thus unfit for marriage. Many years later, Abram’s people return to Ur, and he discovers that the lost, rebellious girl from the marsh has been transformed into the most splendid and revered woman in Sumeria--the high priestess of the goddess Ishtar. But the memory of their night together has always haunted Sarah, and she gives up her exalted life to join Abram's tribe and follow the one true God, an invisible deity who speaks only to Abram. It is then that her journey truly begins--a journey that holds the key to her remarkable destiny as the mother of nations. From the great ziggurat of Ishtar and the fertile valleys of Canaan to the bedchamber of the mighty Pharaoh himself, Sarah’s story reveals an ancient world full of beauty, intrigue, and miracles.
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"I enjoyed this book a good deal. I didn't think I would, since I have read several books about Sarah, Wife of Abraham, before but I did like it. Marek Halter is a good storyteller, especially when considering that this is a story from a woman's point of view written by a man."
— Christina (4 out of 5 stars)
Sarah Listener Reviews
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" If you like the red tent you'll like this book "
— Amy, 2/16/2014 -
" This book is written well with biblical references however, it tries to hard to be "The Red Tent". "
— Sheila, 2/14/2014 -
" The first book in the Canon triology. "
— Paula, 2/9/2014 -
" This book tried to be the Red Tent, but it paled in comparison, especially at the end where the author assumed that you knew the Bible story (which I didn't so I was confused). Nevertheless, it was still a good, fast read "
— Lauren, 2/6/2014 -
" Loved this book!!! Read during Christmas break. "
— Teresa, 2/1/2014 -
" Very similar to The Red Tent--if you liked that, you'll probably like this one, too! "
— Deb, 2/1/2014 -
" I love fictionalized bible stories and this ranks up there with The Red Tent as a beautiful retelling of the lives of the patriachs and their families. "
— Terri, 1/31/2014 -
" Liked it. Didn't love it. But I always think it is fun to read a fictional representation of what people and things could have been like. I will say this though. The author (Marek Halter) has a very positive perspective of the influence of women in the bible, and attributes much of the success of the ancient prophets, like Abraham, to how incredible their spouses were. Which I totally agree with. "
— Kelsey, 1/31/2014 -
" GREAT book!!! I love Marek Halter's books! "
— Amyweissel, 1/29/2014 -
" I thought this was an interesting take on Sarah's story. I learned a few things from it too :) "
— Tara, 1/15/2014 -
" I liked this book a lot. A love story to believe in and hope that that kind of love could truly exist. "
— Debbie, 12/30/2013 -
" I read this after reading the Red Tent (which I loved). Totally different author, but still fantastic stories about women mentioned in the bible. I enjoyed this trilogy as much, if not more, than the Red Tent. Fantastically written. "
— Becky, 12/26/2013 -
" I am interested in monotheism and Abraham so this book was cool in my opinion. Put's you back in time where you can see how things have changed and not changed. "
— Suzanne, 12/20/2013 -
" Great liberties taken to write this fictional story about Abraham and Sarah of the Bible. "
— Jakki, 12/10/2013 -
" A unique perspective on the life of Sarah/Sarai, wife of Abraham/Abram during biblical times. This was quite an enjoyable read, although quite divergent and inaccurate when compared to other texts depicting this individual and time period. "
— Kimberly, 12/5/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book and the other two in the trilogy. Not difficult reads and some facts from the Bible are bent a little but enjoyable over all. I did enjoy the biblical backgrounds in all three and the research that went into them. "
— Amber, 11/29/2013 -
" A fictional work that makes me wonder how much of the story could be true... A fast read, but reader beware... a lot of sexuality in this book! "
— Vicki, 10/18/2013 -
" A very insightful look at what life could have been like for Abraham's wife and the sacrifices she made for the man she loved. A heroine for the ages. "
— noelle, 10/10/2013 -
" very much in the same vein as the red tent "
— Janet, 10/6/2013 -
" I loved the first 2 - thirds of this book. The last third was not as well written, it seemed like the author was in a hurry to finish. It ended rather abruptly for me. "
— Lori, 8/7/2013 -
" Reading this series because my mom lent them to me. Wish I could say more about it other than 'light summer read.' "
— Carol, 2/7/2013 -
" Had to keep telling myself this was a ficticious story of Sarah, Abraham's wife. I enjoyed the history and life of women in that time. Also, the love story made it enjoyable. "
— Angela, 2/2/2013 -
" This seemed a bit like a romance novel, and I wasn't expecting that. "
— Sarah, 1/8/2013 -
" Fascinating ... Such an delightful way to be further introduced to a strong, intriguing and rebellious woman of the Old Testament. Yet again, another page turner. "
— Tuck, 12/13/2012 -
" first in series, like Red Tent, not as good "
— Emily, 10/13/2012 -
" A story similar to The Red Tent. Easy to get lost in. A fun escape. "
— Mandi, 8/6/2012 -
" I really loved reading this book. I got lost in the pages, and I couldn't put it down. "
— Amie, 8/2/2012 -
" like the red tent. i love the historical setting "
— Miya, 6/25/2012 -
" A great take on the life of Sarah. I have heard less than flattering reviews on the other books in this series. I hope that's not the case. "
— Jes, 3/6/2012 -
" It claims to be another Red Tent. It's not quite that good, but I actually really enjoyed reading it. "
— Leslie, 12/3/2011 -
" This book was good, story of the Old Testament Sarah, although not so much about religion as about her story and struggles. I thought it was a fun and interesting story "
— Rachel, 9/25/2011 -
" A unique perspective on the life of Sarah/Sarai, wife of Abraham/Abram during biblical times. This was quite an enjoyable read, although quite divergent and inaccurate when compared to other texts depicting this individual and time period. "
— Kimberly, 5/16/2011 -
" The relationship between Sarai and Abram started out beautifully and led me to abhor it. I know the story is based "loosely" on Abraham in the bible but I really ended up frustrated at the end. The liberties the writer took with this story took it to a place of loathing. "
— Lauren, 4/23/2011 -
" Had to keep telling myself this was a ficticious story of Sarah, Abraham's wife. I enjoyed the history and life of women in that time. Also, the love story made it enjoyable. "
— Angela, 3/7/2011 -
" Great story, I enjoyed all 3 off Marek Halter's book,Sarah, Ziporah and Lila) as it gave me some insight of how life was back during the times of Abraham and Moses "
— Marion, 1/26/2011 -
" Lit & Latte, February 2011. <br/><br/>Read this a couple of years ago. I remember liking it.<br/>It will be nice to discuss it with my book club... see if <br/>I remember it as well as I think I do. "
— Lauri, 1/25/2011 -
" It made me really sad after reading it. "
— Ikia, 1/12/2011 -
" A fictional work that makes me wonder how much of the story could be true... A fast read, but reader beware... a lot of sexuality in this book! "
— Vicki, 1/10/2011 -
" great historical fiction--fun to read! "
— Sarahb., 10/24/2010 -
" The first book in the Canon triology. "
— Paula, 10/17/2010 -
" It was good! It had amazing imagery and it was beautifully written! :) "
— Katelyn, 10/9/2010 -
" I enjoyed the read. But as historical fiction, I felt that Marek strayed quite a bit from what we know about Sarah and Abraham in the Bible. Also, it seemed unrealistic that Sarah could escape the marrying the man chosen by her her father. "
— Diane, 10/7/2010
About Marek Halter
Marek Halter is a French-Jewish writer and activist, known best for his historical novels, which have been translated into English, Polish, Hebrew, and many other languages.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.