Wife Of Chuza – A Review

If you’re like me: not very much. But Katrina D Hamel has. She is writing a whole series based on it, and The Wife of Chuza is the second book in that series. I came to this book without realising it was a sequel, drawn by the title alone. So I am judging this book based on its merits as a standalone novel. It only became clear to me that there might be a previous book some way through – before that I was just assuming Katrina was very good at providing her characters with backstory (which she is, actually.)

Thrown into Antipas’ court

What I loved about Wife of Chuza is that it throws us deep into the depths of the court of Herod Antipas, the same Herod who executed John the Baptist against his own will; the same Herod who sent Jesus back to Pilate, failing to prevent his execution.

The historical details were fascinating. I loved the way that Katrina took us all around Israel – it felt like I was there exploring the territory, and learning little snippets of information about each city as Joanna and Chuza travelled with Antipas. Herodias was very well portrayed, a beautiful but conniving woman who would stop at nothing in her hunger for power, requesting not just the head of John the Baptist but also effectively selling her daughter into a loveless marriage with an older man against her will. All these court details make for excellent and intriguing reading.

The Characters

But what about Joanna and Chuza themselves? As far as characterizations go, I much preferred Chuza, who felt more authentic. He struggles with having been abandoned into slavery by his parents and is torn between loyalty to his master and a desire to meet Jesus, who has healed his wife. ‘He felt like a coward, letting a prophet walk the land without trying to see him.’ 

At one point, Chuza says, ‘“I don’t know if I’ve felt the Lord’s presence in the way you describe…I admit, sometimes he seems very far away.”’ This will be a sentiment many can resonate with. In The Wanderer Scorned, Kayin deals with this same issue. To see Chuza’s transformation at the end of the story ( I won’t give away how) is a lovely thing. 

I must confess, Joanna felt less compelling to me, given that she was the main character. This may be because I haven’t read the first book, which would have presumably drawn me more into her mind and world. I did resonate with her desperation to serve and how that could have become a pride issue if she supported Jesus financially. The author portrays well the pride and inadequacy at war for dominance in Joanna. 

The Story

The conflict in the story comes primarily from Herodias, who dislikes Joanna and is constantly scheming. This felt very realistic – what would it have been like to follow Jesus in the household of the woman who had connived to execute the prophet John? The author accurately portrays both the conflict within and without. Joanna and Chuza would undoubtedly have faced danger if they associated with Jesus. There were also questions raised about whether they should share about Jesus or keep the news to themselves for Jesus’ own safety, given what had happened to John.

One of the things very well portrayed was the expectations of Jesus’ followers regarding the Messiah. There was a resounding assumption that Jesus would become a political ruler – a King – and many emotional implications regarding this. Particularly, this would have thrown up challenges for those living in the court. I also makes sense of why the crucifixion was so unexpected. It’s easy for us, looking back, to see the big picture but living in the moment, under the tyranny of foreign rulers and unrighteous kings, the people were desperate for someone who would restore the nation to Israel and the crucifixion made no sense. ‘[Love] Our enemies?” Chuza said in surprise. “Is that even possible?” A revolution couldn’t be based on teaching like that.’

The Writing

In terms of the writing, there weren’t really ‘wow’ moments for me or points where the writing was so poignant that I wanted to go back and read things over again. Yet, I must confess, I rarely have these moments in modern novels. The strongest part for me was the tension building around the beheading of John the Baptist. Knowing what was going to happen, and seeing Herodias in action, I really felt the build up to that. 

The actual climax of the story, half a book later, was more difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps because the dramatic events that take place happen more to Jesus (who is in the background, though obviously immensely important) than to the main characters themselves. Although the danger for the other characters is dotted about and described, I’m not sure it always neatly fitted in with the story arc. The author describes the crucifixion as horrific but doesn’t particularly throw us into the midst of it with her descriptions, though seeing the trial play out between Antipas and a silent Jesus was certainly emotive. This may be a plus point to some who wouldn’t want such descriptions, but for me, she could have gone a bit further. The aftermath of it though, and the emotions of Jesus’ followers were well done.

Summary

In short, I would recommend this book as a solid piece of Biblical fiction that will draw you into Jerusalem (and beyond) at the time of Christ. The many challenges faced by the various characters (I haven’t even talked about Leah and Titus) will be sure to provide some insight and encouragement and the historical details will certainly inform your understanding of the gospel accounts and help you to picture what it might have been like to be there at the time.

I have to take my hat off to Katrina D. Hamel. Anyone who has the courage to include the life of Christ in their fiction has my respect. ( I have thought about it myself and dismissed it as too scary!) To come up with such a plot line based on just a few verses is certainly an achievement.

I was given an advanced copy by the Author to review, but at no point was I asked to provide a favourable review and this review represents my honest opinion. 

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