Title: A Notable Woman
Author: Don Anderson
Publisher: Olympus Story House
ISBN: 978-1969422195
Pages: 221
Genre: Christian Fiction
Reviewed by: Alyssa Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
A Notable Woman by author Don Anderson is a beautiful retelling of the Biblical story of a Shunammite woman whose resilience and strength throughout will leave you reeling from the emotions brought forth through this author’s writing. It is a wonderful take on the classic story from the Bible and is told through the eyes of a young, 16-year-old girl named Marta.
Marta has a fierceness to her which immediately draws you in, but it’s her courageousness throughout that truly has you rooting for her and her story. She is initially married off to a rich and bitter older man by her father, which makes Marta feel as if all hope is lost for her future. But as time goes on and we have a front row seat to Marta’s evolution, readers will get to see her grow from a scared young girl into a strong, tenacious, and respected woman. She ends up building a family with her servants and never gives up hope that her future will be brighter one day if she just believes.
You can see through the author’s writing that his time in the Middle East really gave him the knowledge of their customs and traditions and he treats it with a deep respect all throughout this story. You can also tell how much this story from the Bible truly means to him and that there was something about this woman’s story which mesmerized him. Especially the fact she wasn’t your typical “Biblical hero” but rather a quiet hero in her own right. One with a bold, wise, and fierce personality that drew people to her, such as the Prince in this story.
This royal came across rather lonely and even said as much upon meeting her. He just wanted a normal life with a real connection to others and through Marta, he found that for a moment. His character made you feel a lot of empathy for what he was going through, much like she did when she met him.
This version of the notable woman’s story really will hit readers emotionally in unexpected and visceral ways. It will leave you reflecting on your own life and see the beauty in her strength throughout the many ups-and-downs throughout her journey. The resilience she showcases here is a major theme, as well as her fight against injustice. It goes to show you that sometimes the biggest heroes are the quietest ones. They work in the shadows but it is through their big hearts and gentle kindness that true heroism is shown.
A Notable Woman by Don Anderson is a story which will not leave me for some time, that I am sure. It was deeply meaningful and makes you feel stronger just because you read it. The biggest takeaway I had? Never, ever give up hope! A moving reminder that God uses everyday people to accomplish His greatest work.