Acts of the Women

Book Cover

ADVENTURE RELIGIOUS HISTORICAL FICTION EPIC

Other

Patrick W. Andersen

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Submision Type

book

Logline

In the decades after the crucifixion, men gave speeches and wrote history books about their own noble deeds. But women did most of the work.

Genre

Adventure,Religious,Historical Fiction,Epic

Short Summary

In the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion, Mary is the first to report that Jesus is alive. She warns his brothers and male followers to stay hidden from the Romans, while she and the women of Jerusalem nurse Jesus back to health. Then the women lead the exodus out of Palestine.

Setting

Jerusalem, Alexandria (Egypt), Galilee, Rome, southern France, southern India

Based on a True Story

Yes

Plot - Premise

Quest

Plot - Other Elements

Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions,Twist

Mature Audience Themes

Information not completed

Main Character Details

Name: Mary Magdalene

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Leader,Honorable,Heroic,Religious,Engaging,Funny,Outspoken,Visionary,Educated

Additional Character Details

Name: Rachel

Age: 50

Gender: Female

Role: Logical

Key Traits: Faithful,Leader,Blunt,Uneducated,Funny,Sarcastic,Engaging,Badass,Outspoken,Complex

Additional Character Details

Name: Priscilla

Age: 35

Gender: Female

Role: antagonist

Key Traits: Decisive,Educated,Honorable,Skillful,Charming,Aspiring,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Sophisticated,Outspoken,Narcisstic,Greedy,Leader,Gracious

Additional Character Details

Name: Sarah (the Black Madonna)

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Role: protagonist

Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Badass,Aggressive,Confident,Engaging,Religious,Educated,Sexy,Outspoken,Visionary,Sophisticated

About The Author

Patrick W. Andersen enjoyed an award-winning career as a reporter and editor in San Francisco before turning his focus to fiction. His debut novel, Second Born, won critical acclaim for its reimagining of the life of Jesus. His second book, Acts of the Women, continues the story from a different viewpoint.

Target Audiences

Age: 18-34,35-54,55+

Target Gender: Female Leaning

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: with a Publisher

Publisher: Adelaide Books

Year Published: 2021

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

978-1956635126

Genre

DRAMA

Brief

Jesus Christ is alive in his tomb and the women surrounding him make a plan to rescue him. While he is recovering, Mary and her fellow women try to save their nation and protect them from the Romans. The others travel out to different parts of the world with their husbands, starting new lives and having adventures.

Overall Rating

FAIR

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: GOOD

Characterization: FAIR

Commerciality: FAIR

Franchise Potential: FAIR

Pace: GOOD

Premise: FAIR

Structure: GOOD

Theme: GOOD

Accuracy of Book Profile

It is accurate.

Draw of Story

This story is a retelling of the story of Jesus Christ and the women who surrounded him. In this story, he doesn’t die on the cross but survives and is rescued by women and nursed back to help. Many of the women are the disciples wives and hold much power over the men in this story. It is an interesting view of the events of the Bible.

Possible Drawbacks

While the story is original, it was told without consistency or sufficient world building. The women in this story seem to have Southern American accents and demeanors. The story is set around Israel and Alexandria, two thousand years before modern time. The language and actions of the characters are much more modern. While the strong female characters are refreshing, the sassy nature of the women do not feel realistic for the time. The nature of the women are unrealistic with their constant threatening of men and action taking.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

The hook is that after the crucifixion of Jesus, the women take charge to nurse him back to help and keep the Romans from finding him, his supporters or followers. I would watch for strong female representation.

Fanbase Potential

This would not have a large fanbase. The interpretation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his rescue, not resurrection, would not sit well with some audiences. While showing the women taking an active role at the time and setting events in motion to protect the nation is refreshing, it hasn’t been executed well. The women do not feel authentic to their time and circumstances. They are modern women, speaking in a modern vernacular, placed in a different time period.

Awards Potential

This does not have awards potential as is. The story doesn’t stand out for being unique or aspirational because the characters are not dynamic. Their actions are inspiring but the characters have little individuality or depth.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE WOMEN, GODLESS, THE RED TENT

What’s New About the Story

The story is original because it is a retelling of Jesus dying on the cross. He isn’t resurrected but taken alive from his tomb and nursed back to help. The women around him and his disciples take a commanding role in the situation. The women could be more authentic to the time period and more nuanced. The characters are almost caricatures of strong women from tv and film. For example, they all use The Stare to enforce their will on the men with their hands on their hips, threatening violence if not obeyed.

Lead Characters

This is an ensemble cast with not one woman standing out. They are all strong, smart and resourceful but use the same tactics to hold power.

Uniqueness of Story

This is not a rare gem but a very unique plot and retelling of one of the oldest stories. It has a very distinctive point of view that might be compelling to audiences. The execution of the story needs work in portraying different types of women.

Possible Formats

Film: Indie, Streaming TV Series: Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming

Analyst Recommendation

WORK IN PROGRESS

Justification

This is a work in progress because the characterization of the women is lacking. They are strong and direct, accomplishing great feats but have few individual characteristics. The characters are not multi-layered and complex.

Tips for Improvement

The characters need further development for this to become a consider or recommend. The world they live in is harsh and not fair for them. They have all struggled and the threats they face are dire. The characters are not realistic to their time period and do not reflect the deeply ingrained struggles of women at the time. This story could be dynamic and memorable with complicated and nuanced characters.