Sinners and the Sea

The Untold Story of Noah's Wife

By: Rebecca Kanner

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

While the fate of the world rested on Noah’s shoulders, the survival of the human race rested on hers. The young heroine in Sinners and the Sea is destined for greatness. Known only as “wife” in the Bible and cursed with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, this unnamed woman - fated to become the mother of all generations after the great flood - lives anew through Rebecca Kanner. The author gives this virtuous woman the perfect voice to make one of the Old Testament’s stories come alive like never before. Desperate to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a haven for outcasts.

Alone in her new life, Noah’s wife gives him three sons. But living in this wicked and perverse town with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than to her takes its toll. Noah’s wife struggles to know her own identity and value. She tries to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while raising a brood that, despite its pious upbringing, develops some sinful tendencies of its own. While Noah carries out the Lord’s commands, she tries to hide her mark and her shame as she weathers the scorn and taunts of the townspeople. But these trials are nothing compared to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is coming - and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they alone can repopulate the world. As the floodwaters draw near, she grows in courage and honor; when the water finally recedes, she emerges whole, displaying once and for all the indomitable strength of women. Drawing on the biblical narrative and Jewish mythology, Sinners and the Sea is a beautiful account of the antediluvian world told in cinematic detail.

©2013 Howard Books (P)2013 Oasis Audio

Critic reviews

"Compelling and masterfully written." (Tosca Lee, The New York Times best-selling co-author of The Books of Mortals series)

Before the Flood...

A fascinating version of the well-known biblical tale told from the point of view of a woman not even named. Powerful and Authentic.

Noah's wife

Would you try another book from Rebecca Kanner and/or Amy Rubinate?

Yes I would but I now realize she took a lot of literary license with this classic bible storey

What about Amy Rubinate’s performance did you like?

narrator voice matched well with her character

Could you see Sinners and the Sea being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

yes, made for TV type thing,

Any additional comments?

It became a little far fetched when part of the story centered on a parasol and mammoths.

Wonderful story with much meaning!

I have never read a story focusing on Noah’s Wife before! This was well written and well worth my time. Very, very enjoyable!

Creative and Entertaining

I enjoyed the characterization of Noah’s wife as she built her own identity throughout the book. In addition, I was intrigued by the development of Wife with Noah. The details of building the arc and then the flood were excellently detailed. Rebecca Kanner did a marvelous job with this book. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Terrible. Not Biblical.

Noah in this story is angry, distant, even to his family. Noah wife fights against Noah, the sons are just as disrepectful towards Noah. Few themes resemble the Biblical story. I do not recommend this story.