This is a novel which successfully recreates the bronze age era of Noah and the ark. Milne describes both the corruption of the world and the dynamics of the relationships in the family as six hundred year old Noah makes his nearest and dearest obey the instructions that he has received from Yahweh.

Sticking closely to the biblical text this fictional account displays the single mindedness of the patriarch as he leads his family on this seemingly impossible adventure.

The family dialogues recreate the tensions of a group of people and animals confined together for months. Noah’s sons and their wives are given varying personalities and add new dimensions to the story. There is also humour and theological reflection as each tries to make sense of what God is doing in the story that they are living through.

A good holiday read which will also provoke some deeper thought.