Revisionist Novel Sails Noah`s Ark On Waters Of Evil

September 22, 1985|By Reviewed by Judy Bass A writer and critic in Massachusetts.

Not Wanted on the Voyage

By Timothy Findley

Delacorte Press, 352 pages, $17.95

``Everyone knows it wasn`t. . .flags and banners and a booming cannon. . .like an excursion,`` states the prologue of ``Not Wanted on the

Voyage,`` Timothy Findley`s revisionist interpretation of the story of Noah and his ark. Most of us picture Noah as the benevolent warden who stowed a paired menagerie in his ship until 40 days and nights of rain ended. In this novel, however, Canadian author Findley converts that wondrous biblical episode into a tale of diabolical malice with haunting, contemporary overtones.

When the Lord Yaweh visits Dr. Noah Noyes and his family, he is disillusioned by the immorality and viciousness rampant in the cities. Appalled that people are behaving so basely, Yaweh plans a cataclysmic rainstorm to destroy them. Noah mesmerizes his holy guest with a magic trick, so Yaweh enlists him to erect the ark that will shelter the animals and the Noyes clan during the coming tempest.

The atmosphere on that vessel becomes ``absolute hell`` thanks to its despicable captain. Actually, Noah`s cruelty manifested itself even earlier. He incinerated all the Noyes`s barnyard animals to create a mass sacrifical offering; he blinded his wife`s cat Mottyl and killed its kittens by

``experimenting`` on them; and Noah has always browbeaten gentle Mrs. Noyes, who numbs herself with gin.

Noah acts more tyrannically after his passengers board the ark to

``maintain his powers`` while he implements Yaweh`s edict to the letter. He strikes Mrs. Noyes when she smuggles Mottyl in, then directs the senseless massacre of some porpoises whom he calls ``pirates.`` Although Japeth, doltish Shem, and Shem`s wife Hannah support Noah in everything, three other members of the Noyes family rebel against him (Emma, Japeth`s spouse, doesn`t participate).

To weaken Noah, the trio tries to murder his bloodthirsty deputy, Japeth. When Ham, his bride Lucy (who is Lucifer in angel`s garb) and Mrs. Noyes fail, they are put in the ark`s dankest chamber to commiserate with the animals.

Noah confiscates their candles and their hope. Grimmest of all is Mrs. Noyes, whose beloved creatures are languishing. Ailments and heartbreak have immobilized Mottyl, and instead of joyfully singing as they used to, Mrs. Noyes`s sheep can only say ``baa.`` When the rain ceases, this stoic woman denounces the destruction perpetrated by Yaweh and Noah, and she prophesies that the evil they unleashed ``will never, never end.``

Whimsy enlivens ``Not Wanted on the Voyages`` (animals talk, Mrs. Noyes plays ``Shenandoah`` on the piano), yet its sobering themes take precedence. Findley spotlights the folly of those who obey madmen, the atrocities committed against innocent beings, and the degradation of women. In addition. Yaweh`s affection for Noah seems to suggest that he overlooks wickedness if the wicked are slavishly devout.

This is clearly provocative fiction. Findley does tamper with biblical lore, an act that some may consider impudent. Nevertheless, his artistry deserves the highest praise, because no one who reads this unsettling novel will easily dismiss or forget it.