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cobalt920's review against another edition
2.0
This seemed a bit like a romance novel, and I wasn't expecting that.
cathuluu's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
psalmcat's review
4.0
I love reading what people imagine into people from the Bible. This one certainly goes down a path I never ever would have expected. In Halter’s mind, Sarai is of wealthy birth of a court family in Ur. She is supposed to marry as soon as she begins menstruating, but out of fear she runs away, meets a foreigner named Abram in the swamps around the city and then takes poison that nearly kills her and makes her barren. So instead of married life, she enters the life of a fertility priestess…?? Yes.
Years later, she catches up with Abram who rescues her from her (pretty comfortable) life in the temple and drags her all over kingdom come in his quest to do what his God has told him to do. Meanwhile, although she obviously can’t get pregnant, she and Abram share a healthy interest in one another, helped along by the fact that she doesn’t age. Her beauty never diminishes or really changes. Until she gives over to her husband’s God ultimately, and as the wrinkles and lines appear, so does her pregnancy.
In spite of all the pretty wacky plot twists—admittedly, the story is pretty much centered on the Bible story after this outlandish beginning—one really gets the sense of Sarai as a person. Not as an icon, not as a moral icon toward which to aspire. As a living woman who makes some pretty awful choices, and is stubborn. Really stubborn. Especially about accepting unconditional love. For her, everything has a price, including—maybe for her, most obviously—love.
Years later, she catches up with Abram who rescues her from her (pretty comfortable) life in the temple and drags her all over kingdom come in his quest to do what his God has told him to do. Meanwhile, although she obviously can’t get pregnant, she and Abram share a healthy interest in one another, helped along by the fact that she doesn’t age. Her beauty never diminishes or really changes. Until she gives over to her husband’s God ultimately, and as the wrinkles and lines appear, so does her pregnancy.
In spite of all the pretty wacky plot twists—admittedly, the story is pretty much centered on the Bible story after this outlandish beginning—one really gets the sense of Sarai as a person. Not as an icon, not as a moral icon toward which to aspire. As a living woman who makes some pretty awful choices, and is stubborn. Really stubborn. Especially about accepting unconditional love. For her, everything has a price, including—maybe for her, most obviously—love.
devrose's review against another edition
I can't really say I read this book. I started the audiobook, and I was thrown by the author's use of and the narrator's pronunciation of G-d's name. I can't help but cringe when I hear יהוה pronounced, so I had to stop listening to the book. It's sad. I really wanted to like this book, and I might still if I decide to pick up a physical copy and try to ignore how יהוה is spelled out.
trejondunkley's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very compelling. Reads like YA in spots but I blazed through it in 2 days. Nice slim read for a weekend binge.
bekki77889's review
4.0
I have only read two other biblical fiction stories. Each one has made view things in a slightly different light. I don't think that this had the depth of emotion that the Red Tent did, but I still enjoyed it and will probably read the next book in the series.
bookie's review
4.0
Wish I could give it 3 and 1/2 stars. I like it enough to read the second book in the series, but it didn't *wow* me. The ending is too rushed. And Abraham--man! what a douche bag! Not a very likeable chap. I guess he DID try to sacrifice his son...Somewhat comparable to THE RED TENT. Though THE RED TENT is sooooooo much better.