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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I think I appreciate the thought and heart behind this.
But the older I get, the more frustrated I get by historical (fictionalized) characters reacting in modern ways to things. And given the things that happen in this story, and the importance they have within the culture, it comes off as odd and possibly disingenuous.
Possibly the length of the story is what hurts it. There'd be more time to explore the historical context and weight of things if the length didn't require everything to be told instead of shown. It's also a weird story to try and keep... sorta PG, and while I appreciate being delicate about things, I'm not convinced that it was a good way to do it, or that it was entirely a good thing for the story. (I very much do not want explicit Scenes, but you are allowed to use proper words for things instead of dancing around the words awkwardly.)
I read this series in high school, and it's going to be really interesting to revisit. I don't hate it, but I don't know that I like it either. Maybe it's just not for me anymore, we'll see.
But the older I get, the more frustrated I get by historical (fictionalized) characters reacting in modern ways to things. And given the things that happen in this story, and the importance they have within the culture, it comes off as odd and possibly disingenuous.
Possibly the length of the story is what hurts it. There'd be more time to explore the historical context and weight of things if the length didn't require everything to be told instead of shown. It's also a weird story to try and keep... sorta PG, and while I appreciate being delicate about things, I'm not convinced that it was a good way to do it, or that it was entirely a good thing for the story. (I very much do not want explicit Scenes, but you are allowed to use proper words for things instead of dancing around the words awkwardly.)
I read this series in high school, and it's going to be really interesting to revisit. I don't hate it, but I don't know that I like it either. Maybe it's just not for me anymore, we'll see.
Based on Gen38: 1-11
Married to Er & Onan, sons of Judah
Then married to father (Judah)
Judah, son of Jacob
Tamar mistreated by parents & siblings, Husbands Er & Onan
Forgave Judah of his cruelty & was finally tenderly loved by him
Bore twin sons & others -- Tribe of Judah often mentioned in Bible Gen45:3-10, Gen 49: 8-12, Deut 33:7, Psalms 78: 65-68
Married to Er & Onan, sons of Judah
Then married to father (Judah)
Judah, son of Jacob
Tamar mistreated by parents & siblings, Husbands Er & Onan
Forgave Judah of his cruelty & was finally tenderly loved by him
Bore twin sons & others -- Tribe of Judah often mentioned in Bible Gen45:3-10, Gen 49: 8-12, Deut 33:7, Psalms 78: 65-68
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
informative
inspiring
I find it difficult to rate Biblical fiction if I'm honest. It isn't my preferred genre.
I have have this set of 5 books on my bookshelf for quite a while now, so thought I would delve into it. The first story is about Tamar. Obviously, I knew her story from the Bible, but this book basically shows what it would have been like to be in her shoes in Bible times. This book was short so didn't take too long to read. It isn't a 'comfortable' story to read, but I think Francine Rivers did a good job.
I did go back to the Bible to read the passages again afterwards and I did listen to a bible commentary on it. I think that is really what the authors intend.
So, I've given this 4 stars, but really doing my review as I would a Christian Historical Fiction book.
The way that people treated widows and childless women in Bible times, seam really strange to us. I did feel for Tamar throughout this book, the way her own family treated her was appalling. I will read the next book at some point, but will read something else in the meantime.
I have have this set of 5 books on my bookshelf for quite a while now, so thought I would delve into it. The first story is about Tamar. Obviously, I knew her story from the Bible, but this book basically shows what it would have been like to be in her shoes in Bible times. This book was short so didn't take too long to read. It isn't a 'comfortable' story to read, but I think Francine Rivers did a good job.
I did go back to the Bible to read the passages again afterwards and I did listen to a bible commentary on it. I think that is really what the authors intend.
So, I've given this 4 stars, but really doing my review as I would a Christian Historical Fiction book.
The way that people treated widows and childless women in Bible times, seam really strange to us. I did feel for Tamar throughout this book, the way her own family treated her was appalling. I will read the next book at some point, but will read something else in the meantime.
5 stars! - Read via the 5-in-1 collection of A Lineage of Grace (paperback), but I have the books separated for an accurate count here.
WOW! I have never read a biblical fiction book before this. I’ve read a couple modern “re-tellings” but not one set in biblical times. I read this for a reading challenge fulfillment. I figured that if I was going to do this, a Francine Rivers book was the way to do it! She is such a gifted writer that God has blessed in her faithfulness to Him.
Tamar is not exactly a “well-known” individual from the Bible. Women were not treated well then but clearly God wanted otherwise for her. He showed her favour for her obedience and faithfulness. It’s amazing how she came to believe and trust in the God of Judah. Her hope to have a child and preserve the house of Judah was truly remarkable. She was treated horribly in that family and was never accepted. Yet she restored his house. More importantly, she restored his faith in God.
Ms Rivers truly brings this story to life. Though it’s a fictionalized account, I know she does her research. I would guess that her story is not far off whatsoever.
I honestly didn’t expect to like a fiction book set in biblical times. I always avoided them. I don’t know why. Now I will be reading the remainder of the books in A Lineage of Grace. I will also be purchasing and reading Sons of Encouragement which is the collection she wrote about five men of the Bible.
WOW! I have never read a biblical fiction book before this. I’ve read a couple modern “re-tellings” but not one set in biblical times. I read this for a reading challenge fulfillment. I figured that if I was going to do this, a Francine Rivers book was the way to do it! She is such a gifted writer that God has blessed in her faithfulness to Him.
Tamar is not exactly a “well-known” individual from the Bible. Women were not treated well then but clearly God wanted otherwise for her. He showed her favour for her obedience and faithfulness. It’s amazing how she came to believe and trust in the God of Judah. Her hope to have a child and preserve the house of Judah was truly remarkable. She was treated horribly in that family and was never accepted. Yet she restored his house. More importantly, she restored his faith in God.
Ms Rivers truly brings this story to life. Though it’s a fictionalized account, I know she does her research. I would guess that her story is not far off whatsoever.
I honestly didn’t expect to like a fiction book set in biblical times. I always avoided them. I don’t know why. Now I will be reading the remainder of the books in A Lineage of Grace. I will also be purchasing and reading Sons of Encouragement which is the collection she wrote about five men of the Bible.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Such a great insight from the point of view of Tamar and how God used even her story to further his glory.