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39th out of 92 books
—
55 voters
Journey to the Well
One of the most well-known and loved stories of Jesus's ministry is the encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Now the creative mind of Diana Wallis Taylor imagines how the Samaritan woman got there in the first place. Marah is just a girl of thirteen when her life is set on a path that will eventually lead her to a life-changing encounter with the Messiah. Bu...more
Paperback, 329 pages
Published
March 1st 2009
by Fleming H. Revell Company
(first published 2003)
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Ever been curious about the woman at the well. The Samaritan woman that Jesus spoke to that so shocked his disciples. For those that are clueless--and that's an okay place to be--the story is found in John 4. This novel is inspired by that passage of Scripture. What do we really know about her? Jesus told her that she had had five husbands and the man she was living with then was not her husband. Around these bare facts, Diana Wallis Taylor has woven a richly detailed back story.
When we first me...more
As incredibly cheesy as this is going to sound, the Kindle has opened up a world of authors I would have never encountered. Why? Free Kindle books! Genius marketing on their part. But just in case you don’t have an e-reader (and for the love why not?? You can get the apps for free), let me introduce you to Diana Wallis Taylor and her novel Journey to the Well: A Novel.
This historical fiction tells the story of the Samaritan woman at the well who encountered Jesus and, along with the her village,...more
This historical fiction tells the story of the Samaritan woman at the well who encountered Jesus and, along with the her village,...more
A expanded retelling of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well, giving her history. Although the writing was fine, and there was plenty of detail, it didn't really draw me in, nor did I feel a connection with any of the characters - including Marah. She seems to get blown in different directions, rarely being an active participant in her own life.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
A book based on the Bible that was completely accurate. I started reading it not sure if it was going to be actually based on one of the biblical stories, and throughout the novel I had some doubts as to where it was going, but the moment that Jesus came into the picture I said to myself..."BRILLIANT." The way that the characters were laid out and how Marah overcame so much through her life, and to be scorned like that and to come out fighting is inspiring.
The mistakes that the characters made...more
The mistakes that the characters made...more
Journey to the Well by Dianne Wells Taylor is a good book. It is the first book that I finished on my kindle! I truly enjoyed both the book and the kindle. The book is a great fictional retelling of the Biblical story of the Samaritan woman at the well. At 13, Marah finds herself given in marriage to a man that she doesn't love, and as the years pass, circumstances force her to take multiple husbands. From before her first marriage, Marah dreamed of a man taking her hand, and the dream always le...more
With this being only my second Biblical fiction, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I loved this book! We know very little about the "woman at the well" that Jesus talked to. We know she had had 5 husbands and at the time of her encounter with Jesus, she was living with a man that she was not married to. Ms. Taylor does a great job of giving this character life. The book starts right before her first marriage. We feel what she feels, pity her, and wish her a happy ending. We see her struggles and...more
The scandalous life and ultimate redemption of “the woman at the well” is story familiar to many Christians around the world, but never has it been told in such a way as you’ll find in “Journey to the Well.”
The basic plot is no mystery. “You have had five husbands…and this man that you have now is not your husband,” Jesus said. It’s what’s left to the imagination that prompted Diana W. Taylor to create a novel about rejection, shame, and the hope Christ brings.
Marah, a girl having just come of...more
I'd actually have liked to give this a 4.5 stars. The story is wonderful. John 4 tells of the story of a Samaritan woman that Jesus meets at the Well of Jacob. Jesus reveals that the woman has had five husbands and is currently living with a man who is not her husband. Most jump to the conclusion that the woman is immoral and that she has been divorced or set aside by her husbands for bad behavior or barrenness. This author presents a story that paints the lead character as more of an unlucky or...more
I love historical fiction and the Biblical era is one of my favorites. Often times, I find the novels in this genre lacking. The characters are one dimensional or stereotyped. They are either so pure that they seem unreal or so evil that there is no reason to want to read the story because you can predict what will happen.
Not so with this story. The author seems to have done an incredible amount of research about Marah. The character has a real depth--as do many of the characters in this story....more
Not so with this story. The author seems to have done an incredible amount of research about Marah. The character has a real depth--as do many of the characters in this story....more
I read this book because it was a free Kindle download and the premise seemed interesting. The author takes on the familiar biblical story of the Samaritan woman who goes to draw water at a well and encounters Jesus there, who tells her of the living water that is his to give, and who tells her “everything she ever did.”
The author invents an imaginary back-story for this woman, explaining how she came to have five husbands only to end up with a sixth man who was not her husband, telling why on...more
The author invents an imaginary back-story for this woman, explaining how she came to have five husbands only to end up with a sixth man who was not her husband, telling why on...more
This is a sweet book. Not as well written as Gladys Malvern's books but written so a teenage girl could read it quickly. Sometimes I felt the writing was choppy and I would have like a bit more depth to the story.
It is a twist on the woman at the well story and fairly plausible when one understands the culture and the role of women really was that of being submissive. Women were not trusted and generally did not have much choice in their lives. It also shows the woman as one with faith, having b...more
It is a twist on the woman at the well story and fairly plausible when one understands the culture and the role of women really was that of being submissive. Women were not trusted and generally did not have much choice in their lives. It also shows the woman as one with faith, having b...more
I read this book from start to finish. No exaggeration there. I started it yesterday afternoon, went to sleep last night, got up this morning and started reading again until I reached the end. I absolutely loved this story! In this fictional account of Marah's life, you will see that there is so much more to the Samaritan woman that Jesus spoke to at the well. She had a history that fit her name, Marah, which meant bitter. She was not a heartless woman, but a wounded woman who needed love. That...more
A fictional account of the woman at the well. This is the author's first novel, and I was impressed with the research of the time period and setting. The writing reflects the author's previous work as a poet, so the lyrical prose is poetic and at times even beautiful, though the style is more distant than most modern novelists.
I enjoyed the book, and read it in one evening. The woman at the well became a real person in my mind, not merely an unnamed Biblical character, and I do recommend it as e...more
I enjoyed the book, and read it in one evening. The woman at the well became a real person in my mind, not merely an unnamed Biblical character, and I do recommend it as e...more
The woman at the well is a familiar Bible story about the grace and forgiveness of God. Even in today's society it would be scandelous to have been married to five men and not married to the one you are living with now. But the woman at the well met Jesus and knew all about her and accepted her.
The author weaves a believable story begining with a childhood sweetheart that she can't marry because her guardian matches her with someone else. Marah is a dutiful woman of her time accepting her circum...more
The author weaves a believable story begining with a childhood sweetheart that she can't marry because her guardian matches her with someone else. Marah is a dutiful woman of her time accepting her circum...more
A story of the Samaritan woman that met Jesus at the well and was told of the Living Waters that only he could provide. This book takes you in to the what her life might have been prior to meeting Jesus. It starts out fabulously and drew me in very quickly. However at about chapter 40 it began losing what was first appealing. It started feeling like a John Wayne story instead of a biblical one. Timetables were confusing. Too many biblical stories were thrown in a cluster, making it feel rushed a...more
I enjoyed this book. I had not thought much about the biblical story of the “women at the well” but really enjoyed this fictional portrayal. However parts of the book were very predicable but then again you know the main plot “married five times” so you knew each husband was going to die/or in one case divorce her. I found it funny that Diana Wallis Taylor also added a few more biblical stories into the lives of Marah and her family but disappointed that they were all at the end. It almost seeme...more
I really wanted to like this story. I always enjoy books that take a character from the Bible and create a story based on the information given. The Book of John, Chapter 4 speaks of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. Within this scripture, there are so many possibilities for story telling - a woman who has had five husbands and living with yet another man, meeting Jesus the Messiah, the conversion of the town in Samaria, Jesus staying in the town for two days, etc. With so ma...more
Initially I did not think that I would appreciate or like this book after my introduction to the main character,Mahra, and the oppression she faces in her life. As I continued with the book, however, I really enjoyed the author's ability to weave both biblical history and fiction together to tell a beautiful story about The Samaritan Woman. I was captivated by the resolve, courage, and faith of Mahra. Although I consider myself to be more spiritual than religious, the challenges Mahra faced and...more
Jul 27, 2011
Luann Habecker
added it
easy read. actually held my attention. a lot of background, leaving me forgetting this was about the Samaritan woman at the well.
I strongly disagree with the bottom of pg 318 where it says, "As we forgive ourselves, we open our hearts to the forgiveness of Christ."
No where do i find this supported in scripture. If i could forgive myself then what need would i have of Him and His sacrifice and forgiveness? We either accept His sacrifice or we do not. There is no more that I can add to what He did...more
I strongly disagree with the bottom of pg 318 where it says, "As we forgive ourselves, we open our hearts to the forgiveness of Christ."
No where do i find this supported in scripture. If i could forgive myself then what need would i have of Him and His sacrifice and forgiveness? We either accept His sacrifice or we do not. There is no more that I can add to what He did...more
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Aug 19, 2011
Stacy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-fiction,
kindle
Excellent, excellent book. I've really been enjoying these biblical historical books. First "Woman of Sin" explored a fictional account of the woman accused of adultery before Jesus (let he is without sin cast the first stone). Likewise this book, "Journey to the Well", explores a fictional account of the Samaritan woman Jesus encountered at Jacob's well. Jesus knows that she had five husbands and the man she was currently living with was not her husband. This book explores her life, these marri...more
This book was fascinating and very well written and researched. I've read other books regarding Biblical characters, but this one was convincing and well executed. I give it 4.5 stars and it may actually be a "keeper", one I re-read in the future.
The main character is the Samaratin woman at the well who spoke to Jesus. He knew she had five husbands and a man living with her who was not her husband. This is her story, about how she got those five husbands and the live-in guy and it was tasteful...more
The main character is the Samaratin woman at the well who spoke to Jesus. He knew she had five husbands and a man living with her who was not her husband. This is her story, about how she got those five husbands and the live-in guy and it was tasteful...more
I like historical fiction and this fictional account of the background of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well is very interesting. It completely changed my perspective of this woman who we meet so briefly in the Bible. I liked the author's story line and how she came to have five husbands. The ending, however, was somewhat rushed and a bit too neat, especially how so many characters in the book also were key people in Jesus' path. Despite this, I would recommend this book to others w...more
Apr 06, 2009
Gracee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone that enjoys Christian stories.
Recommended to Gracee by:
goodreads win!
Shelves:
goodreads-win,
own
Enjoyed the premise of the book very much. It was interesting to read the spin the author took explaining how the Samaritan woman acquired five husbands, with the most current man she was living with - she wasn't married to. However, what bugged me was once Jesus showed up at Jacob's well - the Samaritan woman instantly believed Jesus was the Messiah. Even though, in the fictional story, up to that point she had barely heard of the traveling rabbi and healer.
I'm uncomfortable with the way the b...more
I'm uncomfortable with the way the b...more
Wow! This book gets a high 5 star rating from me! I was swept up in this tale of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. Having never read a book on this particular story in the bible before, I loved what Diana Taylor has created! From the very first chapters of this book, I was hooked! Turning page after page, I eagerly read about Marah's life before she met the Savior at the well - the story behind why she had 5 husbands, and was currently living with a man she wasn't married to.
The au...more
The au...more
This novel introduced me to historical biblical fiction, and what a great job Diana Walls Taylor does of whetting my appetite for more! The book gives a wonderful possible back story to the Samaritan woman Jesus encounters at the well, as described in John 4.
Never before had I given much thought to the reasons why this woman would have had so many husbands, except that she must have been a repeated adulterer, and possibly a harlot. Marah's story made me see how judgmental my thoughts were, and...more
Never before had I given much thought to the reasons why this woman would have had so many husbands, except that she must have been a repeated adulterer, and possibly a harlot. Marah's story made me see how judgmental my thoughts were, and...more
I, like most people, am familiar with the account in John Chapter 4 of the Savior's meeting and discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well. Although the only thing in this account that could make one wonder about her life is the comment that she has had five husbands and the man she currently has is not her husband, this has always been enough for me to judge her quite harshly. In this novel Diana Wallis Taylor helps the reader see the woman (Marah) in a very different light. You cannot hel...more
This was a beautiful telling of the story of the "woman at the well" from the gospels. This is a historical fiction so the account is not "true" to the biblical text nor does it try to be, though the author does seem to spend time on her research which helps to make the culture feel real and authentic.
The story is a quick read but I did feel some connection to the "woman" and by the end you feel yourself pulling for her.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
The story is a quick read but I did feel some connection to the "woman" and by the end you feel yourself pulling for her.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
A wonderful re-telling of the story from the Bible of the 'Woman at the Well'. Diana Wallis Taylor has done an immense amount of research for this story. The end result is a beautifully retold story that will touch your heart and re-open your eyes as to the miracles that God can provide for us if only we believe. We all have to face adversity in our lives and these are the very things we must learn from while still believing in our God.
This book was a great story about the woman who meets Jesus at the well. The author was very descriptive and the storyline was great. However, 90% of the book lead up to her meeting Jesus at the well so I felt everything was resolved too quickly. It almost felt like her writing style changed once the woman went to the well - it got simpler, moved faster, etc. But overall I did enjoy this perspective and storyline.
We had a visiting pastor at our church preach about the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well with Jesus. I decided to look for a Christian fiction book on the subject and found Journey to the Well at my public library. I am not a crier, as a rule, but I was moved to tears by the final section of the book, titled Jacob's Well. It was pure pleasure to read the words from God's Word in this Christian historical fiction book. This is my favorite genre anyway, Christian historical fiction.
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