An Episcopalian seminarian and an Associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Mary Lee Wile has fashioned a stark and riveting novel about Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The birth of a son "touched by God" wipes away the shame she has felt for having no children. John lights up her life but then leaves home at age 12 to live with a strict sect in the wilderness. This is a source of disappointment to his father Zechariah, head of the Sanhedrin. Later, Elizabeth witnesses the holiest point in her son's life when he baptizes Jesus and fulfills his mission. But John's grotesque death leaves her raging at God. Wile refuses to sweeten up this mother's saga of grief, loneliness, and anger. Elizabeth's only solace is a spiritual friendship with Mary, the mother of Jesus. "Ancient Rage" burns brightly with its unswerving portrait of one woman's loss.