Readers & Reviewers

From A Book Lover's Paradise (Donna), June 17, 2015:

There you have it, an excerpt from a fantastic book. I received this book to review. I started reading and kept reading, and reading, and reading. I could not put the book down! The story of Abraham's two sons. One by Hagar, and one by Sarah. Most of us are familiar with the biblical story, but Burns' goes deeper and tells a beguiling story.   Ms. Burns' storytelling style is unique.  The reader is drawn into the tale and becomes not just a reader, but an active participant in the events. I felt like a family member watching the events unfold. I can only describe this book as incredible. The characters are so well developed, they are REAL people.You will be part of their lives. Some, you will like more than others. Strangely enough, I was not a big fan of Sarah or Abraham. I loved Isaac and felt strongly toward Ishmael. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more by Mary F Burns.

From BookNerd blog (Diane Silva), June 16, 2015:

My Review

Four Stars (of Five)

Copy received for an honest review from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

I personally love stories from the old testament so Isaac and Ishmael by Mary F. Burns was an enjoyable read for me.  The author really set the tone for this story with the way the story was written. Burns writes as if this story were written like the bible. The tone was serious and somber. I also loved how she gave us insight into Isaac and Ishmael.  The complex relationship between Isaac and Ishmael was captivating and intense. I also really enjoyed the strength of the women and how they were portrayed as strong and integral parts of the story. Overall, this was an enjoyable story. Once I opened it I wanted to see what the other would do with Isaac and Ishmael.  I highly recommend and enjoyed this story.

From A Book Drunkard book blog (L.M. Montgomery), June 11, 2015:

Isaac and Ishmael: A Novel of Genesis by Mary F. Burns tells the Biblical story of Abraham’s two sons.  Whether or not you believe in the Bible, it’s a story you will still enjoy. It’s a tale of brothers, a legendary father, and a series of strong women.  I enjoyed how the characters were written and developed – and with them, I rode a roller coaster of highs and lows, love and betrayal.   The author’s writing style is something I haven’t come across before.  There are no quotation marks and no dialog like I’m used to in a book.  It’s almost as if the reader hears what they are saying in their thoughts.  It was hard at first, but I found it extremely comforting the further I went.  The book has a quiet loveliness that flows easily. Mary F. Burns has written an intriguing book that is so exceptionally researched, that it sends the reader back in time.  I’m very much a fan and am looking forward to what she writes next.

From Goodreads:

Jan 28, 2015 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars:

With a style evocative of Genesis, Mary Burns illustrates the inner thoughts, motivations, and lives of Isaac and Ishmael and their descendants. She sets the words of Genesis to music and gives the reader a glimpse of how to interpret them for the modern world. In her clear and poignant prose Burns’ wondrous stories transported me to a real yet mysterious place where she illuminates complex family interactions. I appreciate her delicate writing style and scholarly approach.

Dec 19, 2014 Audrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this lyrical tale, Burns tells the story of the sons of Abraham--Isaac and Ishmael--who gave rise to the Jewish and Arab people. The book's language has a slightly Biblical cadence but the story itself examines the human motivations and feelings of the men and women who wandered the ancient desert. The language and subject matter give "Isaac and Ishmael" the feeling of magical realism. (If the Bible were written this way, perhaps I would actually have been able to complete my numerous attempts to read it.) You'll enjoy this book if you like imagining the lives of those who lived long ago, who may or may not have been real figures but whose mythology has had a lasting effect on humanity.