Manitoba Author Redefines Biblical Fiction

Although she’s probably not the first to do so, Betty Sawatzky‘s book I Am the Prodigal, I Am the Eldest, veers from the common path of re-configuring a classic Biblical narrative and instead uses the characters from a parable Jesus taught.

And why not? This is a great story to begin with. Think of the number of Prodigal Son sermons you’ve heard in your lifetime and you get the idea.

Publisher marketing:

When Jesus shared the story, He was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees, leaders in the synagogues who lived strict lives in obedience to the laws of the Torah. They harshly judged others who failed to meet their strict standards and showed little grace and mercy.

By taking a closer look at the culture and traditions of the Israelites in Jesus’ day, we can dig more deeply into the meaning of this story—and yes, the story of the prodigal son is about so much more than a wayward son coming home.

In the novel, we meet Aziel, an adventurous young man whose desire to experience life at its fullest pulls him away from the security of his family and community. This beautiful rendition of the famous parable reveals just how much our heavenly Father and His Son love us.

At the author’s about page, you’ll see what I’m sure is only some of her challenge-filled personal journey followed by some Q&A about the book, including:

Q: What makes your version of the Prodigal Son story different from others?
A: I’ve always been intrigued by this parable that Jesus shared with the leaders of the Jewish faith. But in delving deeper into the culture of ancient Israel, I realized there was so much more to the story. We lose its full meaning due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the times.

As I dug deeper, I had an Aha! moment when it all came together. But I shrugged it off for three years, wondering whether I could write the book. Still, I imagined the chapters, characters, setting, and storyline and sought to digest and sort it out.

Q: What inspired you to finally sit down and write?
A: I was listening to CHVN, a contemporary Christian radio station out of Winnipeg, when I heard about the Braun Book Awards. I thought, “Why not? Go for it!” That was in early February. My husband chuckled at my goal of writing a novel in just over a month, but I was determined to finally get this story down on paper.

Within hours of the deadline at the end of March, the book was written and in the hands of Word Alive Press! No, I didn’t win the award. However, I finished the novel I had longed to write for the past three years. It was really an incredible experience! …

Q: What’s next? Will there be a sequel? Will this turn into a series?
A: I’m already working on the next book, in which the two main characters, the prodigal and the older brother, find themselves in a disastrous situation that takes them to places they would never have envisioned…

Christian Book Shop Talk found out about this book through a recurring “Canadian Authors Spotlight” post on the Facebook page of Kennedy’s Parable bookstores — their business is very proactive in promoting homegrown writers — not through any publisher publicity. I found the title intriguing and also worked behind the scenes to get Betty’s last name — Sawatzky — spelled on the Word Alive Distribution site the same way it appears on the book’s cover! (It was wrong for over 4 months, and took two tries.)

Betty Sawatzky is a reporter and part of the sales team of Golden West Radio which operates 38 stations in rural communities across the Prairies. She is also Unit Public Affairs Rep with Cadets Canada. 

■ For more insight into the author and book, watch this 12-minute interview:

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Trade information: 168 page paperback from Word Alive Press 9781486624805 | $12.99 US from Ingram, Anchor Distributors |$16.99 CAD in Canada through Word Alive Distribution | also available in hardcover from Ingram 9781486624829 $25.49 US  

Consumer information: Available to order wherever you buy books.