The Handmaid and the Carpenter

This was a disappointing book for me. This book is written from Joseph's perspective and he is portrayed as very controlling, distrusting and unbelieving. There is no plot to the story. The conclusion is Joseph on his deathbed saying he doesn't believe in miracles or angels.

Although this book is fiction, the story is real. It reminds us that Mary and Joseph were "human" and had the same feelings and frustrations as the rest of mankind. The book is not great literature, but it allows the reader(both adult and teen) some time for reflection during the hectic Christmas season.

Elizabeth Berg's latest novel, The Handmaid and the Carpenter, was released in December 2006 with little fanfare and no hype. This sweet take on the story of Mary and Joseph is a remarkable story that can't be limited to a holiday reading list. Berg makes no bones about taking liberty with the time frame, setting the story in 4 B.C. "That is because Matthew and Luke place Jesus' birth at the end of reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 B.C." Jesus is not the most important character in The Handmaid and the Carpenter. This little novel, a mere 153 pages, is the story of Mary and Joseph's meeting and courtship. Framed by Joseph's death, the possible personalities of these two people come to life as they sound and act as young person would, no matter the era. Mary meets Joseph at a wedding celebration and each is attracted to the other. Mary is thirteen, flirtatious, and headstrong. Joseph is just becoming a man, but knows immediately that Mary is one for him, going as far as to predict that the two will have seven sons. They court, according to Nazarene traditions, but Mary becomes "with child" before the consummation of the marriage can actually occur. There is little dwelling on how each copes with the message from the angels, but instead focuses on their attitudes as human. The one flaw in the book is that there is an awkward time leap from the time of Jesus' birth until he is almost a man, ready to take over his father's carpentry business. In my momma's word, "a sweet, sweet story." Elizabeth Berg is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Never Change and Open House, which was an Oprah's Book Club selection in 2000. Joy School was selected as American Library Association Best Book of the Year. She also won the 1997 New England Bookseller's Award for her novels. Armchair Interviews says: The Handmaid and the Carpenter makes for wonderful reading anytime of the year.

i am a huge elizabeth berg fan and was excited to find this new read -- and on such a perfect subject for the holidays. the writing, as always, is clever, and brings the characters into 3-dimensional focus. the story (mary and joseph as children, falling in love, and their development as people, believers and parents) was a whole new perspective on the classic christmas tale. i also love love love that berg focused so much attention on joseph, who we never seem to hear about. and the fact that he remained an unbeliever, to me, made the story all the more real -- bringing to life the real parent-son interaction between him and jesus.

As a child, the Nativity scene always held a fascination with me. I thought that Ms. Berg has taken a story that is dear to many of us, and has given her readers a thoughtful insight on the lives of Mary and Joseph. It is beautifully written, with much details given such has the food and clothing of that time period. I love the story of Jesus's birth, but I have always wondered about Mary and Joseph, the people. I really enjoyed Ms. Berg's perspective on their lives, and I would recommend this book to readers who would like a human perspective on Mary and Joseph.

Every year we have another tired batch of seasonal books. We'll never see another Christmas Carol. Those classic books are few and far between. The novelist Elizabeth Berg has turned her considerable literary talents to a subject that is a departure for her. We all know the story of the Nativity. Have you ever wondered about the couple who raised Jesus as parents? Berg tells the story that she imagines of the courtship and betrothal of Joseph and Mary. It's a delicate and marvelous depiction of two people who are rarely accorded the humanity that they surely possessed. Sure, there is comfort and joy here but there are other emotions as well; anger, jealousy, passion, and I daresay, lust. Fundamentalists beware! Have you ever wondered if Jesus had brothers and sisters? Did it strike you as bizarre that Joseph never wondered how Mary got pregnant when she was his virginal wife? Berg addresses all these matters and so much more. For those strict and unbending interpreters of the Bible I would advise you to read the book with a grain of tolerance. After all, it's fiction, and it is a touching and deeply spiritual story of people who were human beings (just like us) once.