Helpful Score: 4
It sounds so cliche to say this was a fabulous book, but when a book leaves me completely speechless when I've turned the last page, then, you know it gets a very high recommendation from me. I've read several fictional tales about Rahab, but never one whose story centered on her life after Jericho, and the man who was her husband.
This book read like it should've been divided into two parts: the first part dealing with her life as a harlot and the fall of Jericho, and the second part dealing with her life after Jericho. The first part seemed a little rushed at times, but that really didn't bother me since I already knew that story. What was great to read were the emotions that Rahab felt regarding her father's insistence that she become a harlot. As a young girl, she loved and trusted her father, and with his decision, he tore those feelings away from her.
The second part of the book was what really made this book simply incredible. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I've never given much thought to Salmone's brief mention in the genealogy of Jesus. Ms. Afshar did a marvelous job of bringing his character to life in this book, and giving me a glimpse at his and Rahab's story. I found myself on the verge of tears at least three times, mostly during scenes between Rahab and Salmone. He had a tendency to come off as a gruff individual at times, but once he realized his feelings for Rahab, he became such a tender person toward her. Their relationship was not without it's problems, mostly because of her past, but when they both understood their own emotions, their love story became one of the most beautiful ones I've read in a very long time. And one more tidbit...the scene between the two of them that explains the title for the book will take your breath away.
I truly hope Ms. Afshar has another book coming out in the near future because she is definitely an author that I will be reading more of. It's been awhile since I've read a book that really got to me the way this one did. I'm a firm believer that sometimes, a certain book crosses my path at just the right time, and it's one that had I read it at any other time, it may not have made an impact. Pearl in the Sand was the perfect book for this current season in my life, and for that, it will always hold a special meaning for me.
5 Stars
This book read like it should've been divided into two parts: the first part dealing with her life as a harlot and the fall of Jericho, and the second part dealing with her life after Jericho. The first part seemed a little rushed at times, but that really didn't bother me since I already knew that story. What was great to read were the emotions that Rahab felt regarding her father's insistence that she become a harlot. As a young girl, she loved and trusted her father, and with his decision, he tore those feelings away from her.
The second part of the book was what really made this book simply incredible. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I've never given much thought to Salmone's brief mention in the genealogy of Jesus. Ms. Afshar did a marvelous job of bringing his character to life in this book, and giving me a glimpse at his and Rahab's story. I found myself on the verge of tears at least three times, mostly during scenes between Rahab and Salmone. He had a tendency to come off as a gruff individual at times, but once he realized his feelings for Rahab, he became such a tender person toward her. Their relationship was not without it's problems, mostly because of her past, but when they both understood their own emotions, their love story became one of the most beautiful ones I've read in a very long time. And one more tidbit...the scene between the two of them that explains the title for the book will take your breath away.
I truly hope Ms. Afshar has another book coming out in the near future because she is definitely an author that I will be reading more of. It's been awhile since I've read a book that really got to me the way this one did. I'm a firm believer that sometimes, a certain book crosses my path at just the right time, and it's one that had I read it at any other time, it may not have made an impact. Pearl in the Sand was the perfect book for this current season in my life, and for that, it will always hold a special meaning for me.
5 Stars
Helpful Score: 2
I was completely blown away by this story. It was so good, I stayed up all night to finish it! Very highly recommended and I can't wait to read Tessa's next one!
Helpful Score: 1
Our book group just finished reading and discussing this book and I have to say that I am so glad that it was picked. Most likely, I would not have read the book of my own volition and am happy that I didn't miss the experience of reading it.
The book was really wonderfully written. It was intriguing and kept my interest throughout.
The characters, so beautifully flawed, can easily represent us throughout the struggles in our own lives. There were many times that I had to stop reading because the words I had just read were resonating through me. Especially when I read the passage where the title of the book is mentioned, it made my heart weep.
Ms. Afshar is a superb writer and I am looking forward to reading her next book, "Harvest of Rubies".
The book was really wonderfully written. It was intriguing and kept my interest throughout.
The characters, so beautifully flawed, can easily represent us throughout the struggles in our own lives. There were many times that I had to stop reading because the words I had just read were resonating through me. Especially when I read the passage where the title of the book is mentioned, it made my heart weep.
Ms. Afshar is a superb writer and I am looking forward to reading her next book, "Harvest of Rubies".
Probably a great book for diehard Christian lit fans, but not my cup of tea. This book lacked depth. Some of the characters were developed fairly well others not so much, the development of the plot was carried out in a simplistic form. Each conflict that was presented, in an organized manner a.i. one at a time. Conflict presented, conflict resolved. Next conflict presented, resolved, and next... I was also disappointed that the book lacked historical details, other than those provided in the Scriptures. In fact there were a few errors in that regard, ex: Rahab wore silk robes in the book, but silk was not available until the Chinese opened the Silk Road in the 2nd Century AD. Rahab had the mind, understanding and sophistication of a well educated high born (such as Queen Cleopatra) even though she was a pesant and recived no teaching of any sort. Her ability to understand the hiden costs and consequences of every action was at her time and setting 1:1000 000 000 imposibility. Another problem I had with the book was that she was seen and behaved as a perfect femae fatal while she was at the same time a deeply spiritual geeky maiden everyone deeply respected once they got to know her. Her husband Salome, ended up analyzing her as a 21century psycho-terapeut would, deling with childhood traumas, analyzing and disecting her past to unburden her present. Salmone, precived as unaproachable,judgemental, tough, seasoned warrior with the blood of thousands on his hands, turning touchy feely to be a sensitive and understanding husband to Rahabs past. While seeing Joshua (the tribes big leader), who acted as his own (Salmone's) analyst, teling him how to improve and correct their husband/wife relationship and over come the burden of Rahab being a prostitude (not for a long time). This was just too weird for me... The last issue I have with this book is that well... it is too preachy for me, even for a bible book, with a heavy, heavy dose of a harlequine romance. Take away both and you will be left with no story.
So, though the book reads fairly well, it is not The Red Tent. I have read lots of bible women stories, some amazingly well written, most not worth my time (realization that often came too late). This book would fall in the lower middle. Ok read but in the end just another religous theemed Desire or Harlequin, minus the snuggle parts.
So, though the book reads fairly well, it is not The Red Tent. I have read lots of bible women stories, some amazingly well written, most not worth my time (realization that often came too late). This book would fall in the lower middle. Ok read but in the end just another religous theemed Desire or Harlequin, minus the snuggle parts.
