Anne Provoost In the Shadow of the Ark

In the Shadow of the Ark

Anne Provoost

Berkley, Aug 2005, $15.00

ISBN: 0425202771

In Canaan Re Jana and her family live near the marshes where her father has earned a living as a boat-maker and fisherman. However, the rising waters have made the area unsafe so they head inland into the desert where rumors abound that a great ship is being built by some maniac named Noah. Re Jana's father works on the ark construction.

Re Jana also obtains work as the diviner of sweet water and as the bather of the Builder's sons. She and one of the sons Ham fall in love though a different female has been chosen for him. She also knows that the Builder believes his Unnameable God has warned him that a great flood is coming that will destroy anyone outside the ark, but only Noah and his family plus the animals will be allowed inside. Thus her father secretly builds a boat to save his family as the waters rise to affirm the madman's ranting as true. Ham builds a hiding place for his beloved on the ark not quite understanding that the Unnameable God has dictated the dimensions to Noah.

Although not for everyone, IN THE SHADOW OF THE ARK is a well written interpretation of Noah's tale told mostly by how the fascinating Re Jana sees events especially her inability to comprehend how Noah's Unnameable God allows those working on the ark to die. Noah is portrayed radically different than the pious starter of a cleansed non-evil race as he and his sons commit murder and rape. Readers who appreciate powerful retelling of biblical tales will enjoy this strong version of Noah's Ark, but must keep in mind the mighty fall off their pedestal in Anne Provoost's rendition.

Harriet Klausner