Redeeming LoveAuthor: Francine Rivers
The Overview:
I picked this book up on Friday night with a bit of trepidation. Christian novels and I parted ways long ago. Some people dig them...I have mixed feelings. I was going to read one baby chapter that night before going to bed...10 chapters later and it was suddenly 2 a.m. I read for four hours down to Minneapolis the next day and even while the TV was on that night. When I finally shut the light off and called it a day, I purposely didn't look at my phone to see what time it was. Yikes! This book sucks you in!
Hosea: a book of the Bible, a man called to do the unthinkable, and a picture of God. It was a powerful portrayal. I couldn't put it down...obviously [see above paragraph if you perhaps skipped it because it had nothing to do with an actual overview].
Redeeming love takes place during the gold rush of CA. A farmer, a prostitute named Angel, and a handful of other interesting characters take the stage in this early 1800s update of the Biblical story.
The Good:
This book is dedicated to those who hurt and hunger. I cried. I pleaded with God. I threw the book on the ground disgusted at the way we treat each other. We make judgments without knowing anything about people, where they come from, or what they are going through. We do this...God doesn't. The last lines of the book say this:
"Love the Lord your God, and love one another. Love one another as he loves. Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don't weaken. Stand against the darkness, and love. That's the way back into Eden. That's the way back to life."The Bad:
The farmers name is Matthew Hosea...I know this book is a story of the actual Hosea but do we have to be that literal? I say no, but that is my opinion. Francine Rivers is a phenomenal writer and I will not pretend to know more about writing than she does.
The epilogue: I wished they hadn't even put it in there. I love knowing what happens next, but this was to cliche and ridiculous...
The Memorable:
This book is raw and truthful. A bit surprising honestly. I will never forget the description of Angel's life before she met Micheal or the way I could read/practically feel God's love for me through the pages of this book.
The Recommendation:
I loved it. But it is still a Christian novel...so, if you do perhaps decide to read it, just accept that fact.
5 comments:
very well put Jessie. I remember realizing at different parts that I am no better than Angel. That I too have turn my back on the one who purchased my freedom.
This book was good, it's true. I especially liked the part where Michael beat up a bunch of guys and dragged Angel back home. I love the image in my head of God doing that.
I liked the book, too. And I think there was a couch I was on for several hours while reading it. I think it was a Southern Village couch.
wasn't it everything i told you it would be? i love this book. maybe that deserves an exclamation mark. i love this book!!!
Ah! I LOVE this book! I've probably read it 10 times....in fact I even brought it with me...maybe it's time to read it again.
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