Grief changes us. It twists our tongues, darkens our thoughts, and makes strangers of those we once loved.

Iboro Tonye-Edet’s “Curse God and Die” is a masterful reimagining of one of the most overlooked figures of biblical history—Job’s wife. For centuries, she has been known only for her infamous words, but Tonye-Edet breathes new life into her, giving her a name, a past, and a grieving heart.

Through Zara’s eyes, readers experience a poignant journey of emotions, navigating the complexities of love, loss, and suffering. Her idyllic world is shattered when she loses her children, her home and her sense of security. As she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, she must also contend with her husband, Job’s debilitating illness leaving her with a mere shadow of the man she once loved. The weight of her grief pushes Zara to the edge, where she utters those fateful words: “Curse God and die.”

What makes “Curse God and Die” so captivating is its raw emotionality. Tonye-Edet does not simply tell a tale; she immerses the reader in Zara’s world, evoking every ounce of her grief. Zara’s loss is not sentimentalised or trivialised; it is gritty, senseless, and devastatingly real. We witness her struggles to maintain faith in a God who seems to have abandoned her, and, against the whispers of her own people that brand her accursed. As she plummets into an abyss of despair, we ache with her, feeling the crushing weight of her pain.

Yet, this is not a tale of despair alone. It is a testament to the human capacity for redemption. As Zara navigates the devastation of her world, the novel subtly reminds us that pain does not have to be the final word. Recovery is a slow, arduous process, and tests of faith are inevitable, but hope persists, possibility of rebirth remains.

“Curse God and Die” is a must-read for anyone who loves biblical fiction, historical reimaginings, and richly human stories of survival. It challenges readers to re-examine the stories they think they know so well, and to look beyond judgment into the heart of a woman who has been misrepresented for centuries. This book will move you, challenge you, and ultimately inspire you.

Grab your copy here and immerse yourself in a tale that will linger long after the final page.