Betrayal, humiliation, violence, erotic, intrigues, revenge, wealth, power games, identity crises, the search for meaning, ethics, passion, redemption ...



... the story of Joseph contains it all.

This book was originally a mind game. Carmen Costas was fascinated by the idea of what would happen if the story of Joseph from ancient times, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, were to be repeated in modern-day Europe. In numerous discussions with Sam Lago, the story took shape in just a few weeks. Sam Lago then wrote a first draft of the whole story within a month of the same year in 2014, as a Christmas greeting to Carmen Costas. However, it wasn't until 2024 that Sam Lago decided to publish the book, prompted by an increasing number of emotional reactions from test readers of various ages and occupations. The first English translation was completed in 2025, also by Lago.

Those familiar with the biblical narrative, will find some very creatively processed details in this book. Nevertheless, everything is so different from the original that the book as a whole is most of all an extremely lively and entertaining read, with some deeply Christian philosophical passages that are intended to stimulate reflection. The aim of the book was to include as many details of the Bible's original as possible. This required extensive creative redesign. Along with this, the fall and triumphant rise of Joseph to the top of world power, as well as his role as a kind of savior to many nations, as reported in the biblical narrative. Further challenges included events such as the sale of the ancient Egyptians as serfs to the Pharaoh in order to escape starvation. The question therefore arose as to how events of such a nature could be represented with a sufficient degree of credibility that would enable them to be integrated into a contemporary Europe. This was the most exciting part about this project for Costas and Lago. It did, however, lead the story to take an inevitable political turn towards the end, which was neither the intention nor the special interest of Sam Lago. Therefore, Lago avoided the majority of today's loaded and overly controversial topics, for this book aims to entertain, not polarize. However, it is precisely this twist that imbues the narrative with its turbulent plot, that culminates in a dramatic climax in the midst of the living room of European power.

With that being said, it is important to emphasize that the narrative should not be interpreted as a prophecy to an apocalypse scenario of any kind.

The book's epic conclusion is intended as a special tribute to the hundreds of millions of Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith, or who experience general hardship and distress.

Author

Sarah-Melanie (Sam)

Garcia

Initiator

Carmen Walesca

Nötzli