Once More, From the Beginning

by Wendy Bertsch

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!

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Biblical, Religion

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2010

About the author

I’m a Canadian author--a pragmatic optimist with rather eclectic interests and a pervasive sense of humour.

Toronto born and bred, I live by the lake with a motley array of dogs and a cat, all but myself being of unknown origin, in a comfortable old house filled with books. Over a thousand books. Books in every nook and cranny. And now, since there can never be too many books, I'm writing more.

Once More, From the Beginning highlights the women in the bible. It's about time! And believe me, they see things quite differently. And in Dodging Shells, you'll meet the irrepressible Tommy, as he fights his way through Italy in World War II. You'll love Tommy. I do.

Reviews

[Lilyan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give up.

I can't continue this book. I tried, I really did, but it's becoming a chore more than a pleasure.

I feel guilty having this as read and accounting for it in my challenge, but Goodreads does not let you comment on a book unless it is read, to read or currently reading, not sure if there's a way around this..

Anyways, the premise of the book was interesting, a satiracal retelling of the bible but this time the women are actually mentioned.

While it was funny to begin with, it just got repetitve and redundant as it went along. I also gave up on the actual bible half way through, so most of the references in Once More, were lost on me.

Anyways, I'm not going to waste anymore time thinking and writing about this book.

[Marianne Wheelaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the more feminist perspective of the Old Testament. Her sense of humor was right up my alley, and I appreciated learning about the bible and laughing at the same time.

[Richard Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Addition to the Pantheon!

While Holy Books abound -- it seems just about every religion has one or six -- what this reader has always found lacking, is clever discourse on these august works of men. Unbending, rigid repetition has sadly been the primary form of discussion, immediately followed by, "Well, what use of ours could we possibly assign a better reinterpretation to?"

Well, enter author Wendy Bertsch and her absolutely brilliant, running monologue of a book that puts both the rigid adherents and the self righteous "on notice". As a former student of the ministry myself (really.), I found her humor not only a riot, but I also had to respect her scholarly approach. Among many of the leading religion's most sacred assembled writings, there is a paucity of leading roles or even handed mention of women or their viewpoints. This work puts this unfortunate situation to bed once and for all.

While it can be used as strictly a read-through entertainment, I also use my copy for blind, "pick-a-page, any page" style relief from moments when a dose of irreverence is absolutely needed. Once More also cries out to be performed. It would be a sold-out show anywhere people enjoy a good laugh and don't take themselves deadly serious. While I realize the deeply religious will probably not find their inspiration between its covers, they really should. A little laughter can always clear the air when things get stagnant and ossifying. Once More will provide lots and lots of clarity and leave the reader with some... revelations, too. Oops! I hope I haven't given anything away!

[Susan Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Robert Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 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.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent "food for thought" book which goes down really well with a huge dollop of humor.
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.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could say that I nearly guffawed my head off while reading this...Sadly, I didn't. The only chapters of interest were that of the retelling of the Garden of Eden and Moses' little sojourn in the desert. After that...I got bored. Supremely bored. I found myself skimming through most of the rest of the 'Old Testament' and took way longer than I should have on a ~250 book.

All I have to say is thank goodness that, unlike the Bible itself, there was no New Testament complete with a new Rabbi on the block.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In medieval times stories of Jesus' childhood told in a merry fashion were a common commodity. Wendy Bertsch brings just that sort of humor to her retelling of Genesis. For insights into the human essence in the divine wisdom "Once More... From the Beginning" is in a class with Arthur Miller's play "Up from Paradise." Delightful, for the not too straight-laced.

[Scott Skipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kimk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, old timey dudes were kind of dumb, amirite ladies?

[Lesley Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initially entertaining but I lost interest pretty soon.

This follows the man-bashing kind of feminism that has given feminists such a bad name. Shame as the premiss had real promise.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Billed as witty; it wasn't. Unless you find snarky man-knocking funny. One or two genuine funny gems but most of it was snark.