Asenath’s story begins as Kiya, a peasant girl living on the
banks of the Nile. She is kidnapped by Egypt’s enemies and upon her rescue is
sent to the temple in Heliopolis. She is adopted by the Chief Priest of Atum-Re
and given the new name of Asenath. Her new station requires adjustment. At a
party, Asenath meets a servant of her father’s friend. The striking Canaanite,
Joseph is the stuff dreams are made of. Handsome, polite and charming, Joseph
also catches the eye of his owner’s wife. When he refuses her advances, she
accuses him of rape. Joseph is thrown in prison just when Asenath is falling in
love with him. She knows she must wait for this man. Time drags and Asenath
grows more despondent by the day. After becoming the royal tutor, Asenath
learns that the Pharaoh is having troublesome dreams. The Egyptian magicians,
including Asenath’s childhood friend, are unable to interpret the dream. Asenath
remembers Joseph and soon he is standing before the Pharaoh. Joseph interprets
the dream and earns the title of Vizier. Asenath’s love for Joseph blooms, much
to the dismay of her father. She continues to court Joseph and they marry after
their union is blessed by the Pharaoh.
Asenath is the fictionalized story of the biblical wife of
Joseph. Her simple peasant life is made hard by her adoption. I wish that her
gratefulness would have lasted throughout the book. I found her verging on
major teenage angst at some points. I also was a little discouraged at some of
the modern language that was used in the dialogue.
I wish that the reader would have had a better insight to
the married life of Asenath and Joseph. She seemed like a wonderful wife that
was accepting of her husband’s family.
This would be a good book for teenagers and those who want
to learn about the biblical character of Asenath.
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