The author also does well with placing the reader in the story.

Since the events in Marahs life take place throughout a number a years, the passing of time is quick, but it is achieved smoothly, highlighting the main experiences in a usually simple, repetitive life. She describes each individual down to his or her personality traits, which results in excellent character development. With a recurring, as well as foreshadowing, dream as her only constant source of peace, Marah does what she can with the situation that is thrust upon her, putting her determined, yet caring, personality to good use.Īs more characters are added to the plot, Taylor does a good job of keeping each person separate. However, her aunt Reba has different plans for her and arranges a marriage between Marah and Zibeon, a local tanner and widower. Though he is a lowly shepherd, she knows they could be happy together. Living in a time when marriage is necessary for survival, Marah, a Samaritan girl, is sure of whom she wants to spend the rest of her life with: Jesse, her childhood friend. With her eloquent style of writing, Taylor, who happens to have a strong background in poetry and songwriting, helps readers understand Samaritan and Jewish traditions and customs while endearing us to the personal story of Marah, the Samaritan woman at the well, along with as a few unexpected tie-ins at the end. But, do you know how the Samaritan woman got to that point in life? In Journey to the Well, Taylor presents her idea of what could have taken place prior to the womans encounter with Jesus. In Diana Wallis Taylors Journey to the Well, if you know the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1-42, you know the outcome of the story.

Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor