Let Edith Hartnett take you to first century Palestine amid "bales of silk, vials of nard," where courtesans are bejeweled with sapphires, rubies, and all the precious stones of the Orient. Through her you will discover oil of myrrh, aloes with healing powers, saving the life of a wounded centurion, Valerius.
It's a story you weren't told in Sunday School. Mary, at the top of her profession as a courtesan refuses to entertain the occupiers of her land until... Of course, until she meets a Roman who sweeps her off her feet. Ms. Hartnett takes as much pleasure in dressing Mary in "a diaphanous tunic" or "a film of blue gauze" as Mary does in taking them off.
Mary, according to one tradition, is counted as an apostle, and this woman author has Christ tell Mary, "You are one of my apostles." What will the patriarchal authorities say?
In this book, you will be captured by suspense, by love, by tears of love and wonder. If you haven't wept over a novel since adolescence, don't be surprised if the power of the writing causes you to look quickly away wiping your eyes.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Fast-paced, poignant, unorthodox Biblical love story  Dec 05, 2002

Author Edith Hartnett has delved deep into history, both Biblical and temporal, to provide a moving, colorful tale of
Israel under Roman military occupation, the most infamous harlot of her times . . . and the rise of Jesus from obscure wanderer to sacrifice on the Cross. The author's eye for colorful detail, as authentic as history can make it, and her ability deftly to limn characters rich in personality as well as symbolism, makes The Color of Wine an absorbing, fast-paced, voluptuous read. Highly recommended. . .whether you are a Bibliophile, a fan of
ancient Middle Eastern history, or simply in search of a
provocative, different book.