Tap cover to enlarge

The Preservationist

Published
Jul 2004
Main Genre
General Fiction General Fiction
Rating
Pages
256

About This Book

"Hilarious and illuminating . . . Maine's storytelling is as human as it is divine, a sensitive overhaul of one of literature's greatest adventures." —Los Angeles Times Book Review

In this brilliant debut novel, Noah's family (or Noe as he's called here)—his wife, sons, and daughters-in-law—tell what it's like to live with a man touched by God, while struggling against events that cannot be controlled or explained. When Noe orders his sons to build an ark, he can't tell them where the wood will come from. When he sends his daughters-in-law out to gather animals, he can offer no directions, money, or protection. And once the rain starts, they all realize that the true test of their faith is just beginning. Because the family is trapped on the ark with thousands of animals—with no experience feeding or caring for them, and no idea of when the waters will recede. What emerges is a family caught in the midst of an extraordinary Biblical event, with all the tension, humanity—even humor—that implies.

"Inventive reimagining of the biblical flood tale for a 21st-century audience." —People

"Part domestic drama, part supernatural thriller, Maine's unsettling retelling of Noah and the ark feels as realistic and suspenseful—really!—as any modern tale." —Time Out New York

"We can reencounter the hoary Old Testament icon afresh as a sensible, fallible human being and really appreciate his greatness and sacrifice." —Time

"A story of faith and survival (think Life of Pi thousands of years earlier with a much larger cast of characters), this debut is a winner." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Genres & Themes

Buy This Book

Formats & Editions

Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

Paperback

Paperback edition cover
Trade Paperback
Jul 2005 Griffin ISBN 0312328486
Buy

Hardcover

Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
First Edition Jul 2004 St. Martin's ISBN 0312328478
Buy

eBook

eBook edition cover
eBook
Apr 2007 St. Martin's ISBN 1429906901
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Apr 2010 St. Martin's ISBN B003J48BOQ
Buy

Audio

Audio edition cover
Audio Cassette
Jul 2004 Highbridge Audio ISBN 1565118707
Buy
Audio edition cover
Audio CD
Jul 2004 Highbridge Audio ISBN 1565118715
Buy
Audio edition cover
Audible
May 2005 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books ISBN B0009U6XSO
Buy
Audio edition cover
Playaway
Jan 2008 Playaway ISBN 1605140007
Buy
Audio edition cover
Playaway
Jan 2008 Highbridge Audio ISBN 1602529914
Buy

Large Print

Large Print edition cover
Hardcover
Oct 2004 Thorndike Press ISBN 0786269561
Buy