"For the women of the Samaritan village of Sychar, the well is a place of blessing--the place where they gather to draw their water and share their lives--but not for Mara. Shunned for the many sins of her mother, Nava, Mara struggles against the constant threats of starvation or exile. Mara and Nava's lives are forever changed with the arrival of two men: Shem, a mysterious young man from Caesarea, and Jesus, a Jewish teacher. Nava is transformed by Jesus, but his teachings come too late and she is stoned by the unforgiving villagers. Desperate to save her dying mother, Mara and Shem embark on a journey to seek Jesus' help--a journey that brings unexpected love and unimaginable heartbreak"--Cover p. [4]