I am a spiritual woman but not necessarily a religious woman and I am inspired by the love story between Joseph and Mary. It was a treat to be invited into the lives, albeit fictional tellings of their lives, of all of the characters in this book. Interesting to see the pettiness, the fear, the longing, the joy, the doubt that they experienced. It was shocking to me this time (I'd read it once before) the age difference of Joseph and Mary and how early they were attracted to each other. I loved looking at the similarities and differences between their culture and mine. Though I must admit, at times I wanted to just skim over some pages, I do recommend this book for story it tells, the thinking it provokes.

This book started so good. I loved seeing the love and passion Mary and Joseph had for one another. It was so first love "twitter-pated". The first 65 pages set up a sweet love story but then I turned the page and unfortanately I was seriously let down. From the time Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, close the book. I kept reading hoping at least the boredom would cure my insomnia...no luck. Go to primary. They'll tell you the same story and at least there you get to sing songs and color pictures.

I did not enjoy this book. I felt that it was dated, you could tell it was written in the 70's, and that it was not written very well.

I felt that the characters were not deeply developed, and therefore the motivations were hard to believe. I also thought that the story itself needed a little work.