Women of Genesis
Novel series on the wives of Genesis patriarchs.
Orson Scott Card launched the Women of Genesis novel series in 2000, focusing on the wives of the Biblical Patriarchs from the Book of Genesis. As of December 2024, three volumes have been released: *Sarah* (2000), *Rebekah* (2001), and *Rachel and Leah* (2004). Two additional books, *The Wives of Israel* and *The Sons of Rachel*, are listed as works in progress on Card’s website.
The novel *Rebekah* tells Isaac’s story from Rebekah’s perspective, sticking to the Genesis account while adding invented characters and details. In the book’s introduction, Card explains that much of the content is speculative, and his goal “was to show how good people can sometimes do bad things to those they love most.” He notes that Isaac was heading toward a disastrous decision, and Rebekah chose an equally wrong method to stop him, but the outcome was positive because good people made the best of it despite their mistakes.
- Author
- Orson Scott Card
- First published
- 2000
- Genre
- Biblical fiction
- Number of published books
- 3
- Forthcoming books
- The Wives of Israel, The Sons of Rachel
- Subject
- Wives of the Biblical Patriarchs
Lore & Background
The series includes three published novels: Sarah (2000), Rebekah (2001), and Rachel and Leah (2004). Two additional books, The Wives of Israel and The Sons of Rachel, are listed as works in progress on Card's website. The narrative of Rebekah follows the story of Isaac through the eyes and perspective of Rebekah. The storyline does not deviate from the story told in the Book of Genesis, but Card adds details and characters of his own invention.
Reader's Guide
In his introduction to Rebekah, Card explains that much of what he includes is speculation, stating that his task 'was to show how good people can sometimes do bad things to those they love most.' He adds, 'Isaac was headed for a disastrously wrong decision; Rebekah chose an equally wrong method of stopping him...but in the end, the result was a good one because good people made the best of it despite all the mistakes.' The series is significant as a work of biblical fiction that expands on the sparse biblical accounts by imagining the inner lives and motivations of these women, while remaining faithful to the original narrative. It contributes to the genre of Bible fiction and is part of Orson Scott Card's broader literary output.
Did You Know?
- The series began in 2000 with the novel Sarah.
- As of December 2024, three books have been published.
- Card's novel Rebekah adds details and characters of his own invention to the biblical story.
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