Inspired by the biblical narrative of the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by the sweet-talking serpent, Truth and The Serpent by J. Rutledge is a splendid narrative that follows the life of the serpent from the time he leaves Eden, as the story bears witness to events narrated in the book of Genesis. In this spellbinding story, the reader gets another version of the myth of Eden, a not so popular one, presented from the point of view of the most unpopular of the characters of the original Biblical story. But this isn’t just a story about the serpent luring the woman who lures the man into eating a “fruit;” it is a well-crafted story that questions everything we have been fed about the concepts of good and evil, freedom, and responsibility. Told in a suave and an irresistible voice, this story will have readers racing through the pages and wanting more when they read the last chapter.

It would be really difficult to offer a simple synopsis of this symbolic tale, but suffice to say that this is a work of a great mind, highly imaginative and readers will enjoy the biblical themes and the powerful references to biblical lore. The characters are well-imagined and they are developed in a way that leaves the reader utterly captivated. There is a magic in J. Rutledge’s writing that can’t go unnoticed and the lyricism leaps off the pages like an enchanting song. Truth and The Serpent opens a whole universe for readers to navigate, with characters that are strangely familiar, awakening strong emotions in readers. This is an exciting story that will appeal to researchers, to readers looking for a fun read, and those interested in soul-touching narratives. It is engrossing!

We have all read or heard the story of Eden, a story that has been retold and used to justify the human condition and the reality of sin. We all know about the Serpent, about the Woman, and about the ultimate fall of Man in the narrative of creation. But what if there is a different version to the story? In Truth and The Serpent, J. Rutledge takes readers on an adventure with this story and explores it from the point of view of one of the characters of the biblical story, the cunning Serpent, the underdog. This is a very fresh, balanced, and inspiring story that is as entertaining as it gets, a story that prompts the reader to question what they have heard about the fall of Man. The author allows readers to journey with early biblical heroes, looking at them from the vantage point of the Serpent. The story explores the possibility of another truth to the story we have all heard.

Truth and The Serpent is humorous, exciting, and hypnotic. I was pulled in from the very beginning and it took very little time to get into the narrative. There is no doubt that the author has great mastery of the scriptures and this novel shows creativity at its best. The writing is impeccable and it reads with unusual fluidity. J. Rutledge has the gift of capturing deep spiritual currents in writing that is exciting, allowing the reader to look at humans from a fresh perspective. It reads so well I almost believed the story. For those who love stories that are inspiring and thought-provoking, this will be a wonderful treat.