Published: July 29, 2010
Words: 61,911 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780986702211

Short description

Here’s a new look at the Old Testament...but this time the women’s voice gets the prominence it deserves. Always witty, often funny, and definitely never boring, the women’s common sense outlook puts quite a different spin on the stories you think you remember. The men have had their way with history for far too long. Let’s see that ancient world through a woman’s eyes. You may be surprised!

Extended description

Here’s a new look at the Old Testament...but this time the women’s voice gets the prominence it deserved all along. Always witty, often funny, and definitely never boring, the women’s common sense outlook puts quite a different spin on the bible stories you think you remember. Finally, take a clear look at the outrages that have been swept under the carpet for centuries and laugh at some of the nonsense that’s been hiding there as well. The men who wrote the Bible have had the field to themselves for centuries. Let’s see that ancient world through a woman’s eyes. You may be surprised!

Tags

historical fiction, feminist humour, satire and religion, women in history, women in bible times, humour historical

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Reviews

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Review by: Melody Hewson on May 28, 2012 :
Since everything I could think to mention has already been said, I'm simply going to add that I also loved this book. The wit and humor was well done. I've already begun recommending this e-book to several family members.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Scott Skipper on April 14, 2012 :
The Old Testament defined from a feminist viewpoint. I loved every irreverent minute of it. Ms. Bertsch has plenty of wit and a pointed explanation for all those odd passages that you previously had to take on faith.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Marianne Wheeelaghan on Nov. 08, 2011 :
This is a charming, delightful and downright fun take on many of the well known stories from the Old Testament. Told mainly from the perspective of the women in the stories, while never irreverent, these fresh retellings reveal a history steeped in blatant misogyny, nepotism, racism and abuse. It's well worth the read (even if you have never read or have no interest in reading The Old Testament) and certainly makes you think of how 'precarious' life was in those very dark and oh so politically incorrect days!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Susan Wells Bennett on March 06, 2011 :
*NOTE: I actually purchased this book on Amazon.com originally. You will find the same review at that site.

This book is surprisingly funny for such a potentially explosive topic. As someone who has, in fact, read the Bible -- I didn't even skip the "begats" -- I can also say that Wendy Bertsch does a great job of telling the women's sides of the story without changing anything that's actually in the Biblical text. I particularly liked Rahab's rational decision to help the Israelites.

As I listened to rather than read the text on my Kindle, I didn't note many editing errors, though I did spot one or two punctuational problems as the pages flashed by. All in all, I would recommend this for anyone with a good sense of humor -- regardless of his or her religious affiliation.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Bonnie Smith on Feb. 24, 2011 :
This is one book I really couldn't put down!
Once More From the Beginning presents the Old Testament from a very studied and interesting point of view with humour and wit and tongue-in-cheekiness. Presenting the feminine viewpoint and taking shots at what people have accepted as truth "since time began", the author, like the old bairds and jesters, gives the reader a chance to gain new perspectives on some "forbidden" issues.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Martha Marks on Jan. 15, 2011 :
How funny! I laughed out loud on many occasions, chuckled throughout, and absolutely loved this book.

The juiciest parts to me were the almost-realistic dialogues between a host of Biblical types who had seemed like colorless stick-figures before, such as Sarah and Abraham, Jacob and Esau, Judah and Tamar, Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Moses and the Pharaoh, and an additional cast of thousands. I laughed my head off at the Sodom-and-Gomorrah episode, the Coat-of-Many-Colors episode, the Moses-on-the-Mountain episode, and so on.

Now my husband is chuckling and laughing his way through "Once More", too. I think he especially appreciates the author's wry comments about women.

Wendy Bertsch has a wicked sense of humor. This is a tongue-in-cheek book that you'll enjoy the first time and many times again after that. A fun, delightful read!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Annmarie Banks on Dec. 18, 2010 :
Once More...From the Beginning is a deeply entertaining re-telling of the highlights of the Old Testament from a savvy woman's perspective. The more you know about David, Saul, Abraham, Adam, Cain and Abel the more fun you will have. Of course the women enter stage right at the appropriate times: from the Queen o' Sheba to the clean-er Sheba (Bathsheba) as well as the particularly compelling Judith and the less compelling Jezebel.

The stories are told in a matter-of-fact modern rendition that makes one wonder what God was thinking in the first place. Why put those trees in Eden if the fruit is wasted? Why torment your Chosen People? Ms Bertsch gives the Old Testament a New twist while reminding us that God created TWO people that first week.

If you tend to nod off when trying to get through all the begats and beheadings when reading King James' version (and he was definitely ambiguous about women) then Ms Bertsch's version will keep you awake and smiling from "In the beginning" to Amen, Sister.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Robert Davidson on Dec. 06, 2010 :
I read 'Once More From The Beginning' some time ago on Harper & Collins' highly competitive Authonomy site, a selection process for promising authors. This book more than held its own, comprising, as it does,of competent prose, scintillating wit, an intriguingly different perspective of biblical themes and revealing aspects of the character traits of the major players.
Irreverent but never irreligious its acerbic approach certainly appealed to my sense of fun. An enjoyable and highly recommended read. Robert Davidson. The Tuzla Run.
(reviewed the day of purchase)
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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