Readings as of late

I've really gotten into reading Biblical fiction. It has been fun and fascinating to read about women of the Old Testament. Their customs, life style, and point of view. I just had the chance to finish two such books written about two famous women from the scriptures. I wish I could say I enjoyed both works, but I didn't


Up first on my reading list was "The Red Tent". I have heard so many things about how good this book is from various women. It's the story of Dinah, the prophet Jacob's daughter, and her mothers. I admit that the details of their life was fascinating, but that's where my interest in the book ended. It was rather crude, with heavy sexual undertones. I think I can figure out how people have children, you don't need to tell me about it in detail. But my biggest gripe was how the prophets and great women from the Old Testament were depicted. Jacob was apparently a man with a vast sexual appetite that satisfied himself any way he could. Isaac in his old age had a young concubine to have fun with. Rebbecca, Isaac's wife, was a priestess full of spite for her husband and contempt for the world around her. I could go on and on. Seriously, if a man is going to be a prophet, he has to be a little bit better than the rest in behavior and exercise some self control. And the faithful wives of such men aren't going to be egomaniacs. Otherwise they wouldn't be married to such holy men. The book left a nasty taste in my literary mouth. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.


That is why I am so glad my next read was "Sarah" from Orson Scott Card's "Women of Genesis" series. This was a well written, interesting, and clean book. His telling of the story of Abraham and Sarah was beautiful, romantic, and TASTEFUL. Like the rest of us, they had their struggles and doubts at times. Who wouldn't when in a foreign country and under risk of being assassinated by the king if he found out a marriage existed between you and your spouse? Or what about doubting when the Lord tells a very elderly woman, who has spent years barren and longing for a child, that she will finally bring forth a son? Yet, despite their many trials, they stayed close to the Lord and each other. Their love was sincere and beautiful. This is the kind of book I like to read. This is how I would like to think my Old Testament figures as having been.

I'd pick "Sarah" over "The Red Tent" any day and twice on Sundays. In fact, I am excited to check out more books from the "Women of Genesis" series. Well worth the read.