Potiphar's Wife By Mesu Andrews

Potiphar's Wife

by Mesu Andrews

Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah

Series: The Egyptian Chronicles

ISBN: 978-0593193761

I have enjoyed a couple of Mesu's books in the past so when I was given the opportunity to read her newest release, I was looking forward to reading it. I had no idea I would be so consumed by the story!

Summary:

Before she is Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika is the daughter of a king and the wife of a prince. She rules the isle of Crete alongside her mother in the absence of their seafaring husbands. But when tragedy nearly destroys Crete, Zuleika must sacrifice her future to save the Minoan people she loves. 

Zuleika’s father believes his robust trade with Egypt will ensure Pharaoh’s obligation to marry his daughter, including a bride price hefty enough to save Crete. But Pharaoh refuses and gives her instead to Potiphar, the captain of his bodyguards: a crusty bachelor twice her age, who would rather have a new horse than a Minoan wife.  

Abandoned by her father, rejected by Pharaoh, and humiliated by Potiphar’s indifference, Zuleika yearns for the homeland she adores. In the political hotbed of Egypt’s foreign dynasty, her obsession to return to Crete spirals into deception. When she betrays Joseph—her Hebrew servant with the face and body of the gods—she discovers only one love is worth risking everything.

My Review:

I don't even know where to start with this amazing story! While I thought Potiphar's Wife would center more around Potiphar's wife lying about asking Joseph to sleep with her, it was more about what "brought" her to that point. Obviously it's fictional, but Mesu Andrews created a story that brought the time of Potiphar's time to life!

The story is told through the eyes of four people who we come to love on differing levels: Zuleika (Potiphar's wife), Potiphar, Joseph, and Ahira.

Zully goes through a lot of emotional upheaval throughout this entire story. I do want to make note that she has a traumatic assault that I want you to be aware of. My heart went out to her, but unlike the characters she comes into contact with, my heart for her only went so far. THAT'S what I loved about the characters who were impacted by her because they were exceptional examples of mercy and forgiveness.

I thought Potiphar was a complex character as Pharaoh's closest friend and protector, then as Zully's husband. I went back and forth on how I felt about him. His world is upended and how he adjusts has a trickle down effect on the other characters. I ended up really liking him and understood the complexities of who he was and his position in Pharaoh's court.

Joseph... it was such an interesting time in his life getting to "know" him in a fictional way. I have to say, when authors bring Biblical characters to life for me, I end up really having a soft spot in my heart for their place in the Bible. This makes the Old Testament more alive for me when I read it.

Ahira, who also has a traumatic experience plays such a pivotal role for all of the characters in this book. Her transformation in her faith is beautiful and she is one of my favorite characters in the story. 

An element I love in stories is when an author gives us a side character who loves authentically and makes me want to be a better person. That would be Pushpa. She's the Ommi (adopted mother) of Potiphar and Pharaoh. 

Of course, it goes without say, that there is a Gospel message woven throughout the entire story that is absolutely beautiful. I love that God is shown as El Roi, the God who sees. It's so powerful, especially in how it truly applies to our lives as well.

I truly can't say enough about how incredible this story was! If you love Biblical fiction, you are going to want to read this asap!

About the Author:

MESU ANDREWS is the Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and numerous other novels, including The Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Of Fire and Lions and Love Amid the Ashes. Her deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Mesu lives in North Carolina with her husband, Roy, and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren.