Novel on Jesus wife likely to divide book clubs ’

In steps Jesus to the rescue. They are quickly married, but without a celebration

(Tinder Press)

This is a fictional account of the life of Ana, wife of Jesus, and is set in Galilee around 16AD. Ana is young and spirited, probably one of the first feminists.

She grows up in a wealthy household sheltered from the brutality of Rome’s occupation of Israel. She is determined to be a chronicler of lost stories — more specifically women’s stories.

It’s not long before her father seeks to marry her off to an elderly widower to receive favour with his employer, Herod Antipas.

Ana receives no support from her mother, who is all for the marriage. Her brother Judas isn’t able to help as he is off fighting the Romans, but vows vengeance — and if you’ve read your Bible stories you’ll know what he’s responsible for later.

It is only her aunt Yaltha who is a constant confidant and companion to the feisty young woman. They are kindred spirits.

But then a plague sweeps across the nation and it’s as if Ana’s prayers are answered. Her obvious delight at not having to marry the old man is frowned upon by the community, who quickly start to ridicule her.

As she was considered legally married due to papers that were signed before the actual wedding day, she is now classed as a widow, which means no-one is likely to want to marry her now.

In steps Jesus to the rescue. They are quickly married, but without a celebration due to all the shame surrounding Ana.

She is taken back to Jesus’ family home in Nazareth, along with Yaltha, where the much simpler way life, filled as it is with daily chores, soon becomes a thorn in her side.

There is no money to purchase her precious papyri and inks.

Ana is happiest when her beloved is by her side, but he’s often away for days or weeks working to earn money to buy food for the family.

Deep down in Ana’s heart she knows she is destined for greatness. Jesus, too, starts to feel a stirring that he is being called to something higher.

This isn’t the first story to raise the possibility of Jesus having a wife. Dan Brown caused quite a stir a few years ago with his book The Da Vinci Code.

Author Sue Monk Kidd, wellknown for her 2001 novel The Secret Life of Bees, admits her story is purely imagined, though she carried out extensive research to ensure its historical, cultural, political and religious backdrop were accurate.

However, there are quite a few well-known Bible stories that occur differently in her book. Kidd simply says this was done to fit in with her story’s timeline and characters.

You also won’t find any miracles taking place — Kidd said she wanted to capture the more human side of Jesus’ life.

If you are open-minded you might enjoy

The Book of Longings. It’s definitely going to be one of those novels that will divide readers and book clubs the world over.