The book of Rachael - Leslie Cannold

2000 years ago, while a young Jewish preacher from Nazareth was gathering followers among the people of Galilee, his sister swept floors and dreamed of learning to read. Jesus of Nazareth's story is one of a prophet turned martyr - but we know nothing of his sister. In this story, the women of Nazareth take centre stage. There is the rebellious Rachael, consigned by her sex to a life of drudgery; Bindy, the crone who teaches her the skills of the healer; there is Shona, her sister, victim of a harsh social code, and their mother Miriame, a woman seemingly unable to love.