Francine Rivers

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Hi, new community. How are you doing? You look lonely.

Okay, I think I'll start with a topic I started discussing on Easter with my friend's grandmother-in-law. We got on the subject of Francine Rivers, and she was saying how she didn't want to read those books because she didn't like the idea of rewriting stories from the Bible with extra details.

I have to say that I have had my own hesitations about that. I've read a handful of Rivers' books (*loved* Redeeming Love), and though I enjoyed the Lineage Series (haven't finished, but have read most), I found myself constantly saying, "Hey.. it doesn't say that.." I mean, I guess it still could have happened, and I get that she's just trying to fill out the story so we can relate to it more, but I don't know. Also, I found myself looking at the character differently (and maybe not in a correct way), based on how she portrayed their personality or motive in their actions. So...yeah. I'm not sure where I stand with that. What do you think?

Also, has anyone read The Atonement Child? I have it on my bookshelf but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Should I hurry or is there no rush?

Comments

[hestergray.livejournal.com]

I remember reading The Atonement Child, and I really enjoyed it. It's a very good story.

Have you read her Mark of the Lion trilogy yet? I feel like I bring those up a lot, but they're my favorite Francine Rivers books. They take place not long after Jesus' death and resurrection, when Christians were being persecuted. The story is fictional, but the history is fascinating.

Another author who has rewritten stories from the Bible is Orson Scott Card. He has a trilogy called Women of Genesis. The first one is about Sarah, the second one is about Rebekah, and the third one (that I haven't read yet) is about Rachel and Leah. They're very well-written, and I liked how he fleshed the stories out. (I think he's better at it than Francine Rivers.) I think he was accurate about a lot of historical things, but I guess I don't know for sure. I mean historical things like the kind of society and stuff.

I understand your hesitations about books like this. For me, I don't like or dislike them as a whole. There are some I enjoy and some I don't. And I always just keep in mind that it's a fictional retelling.

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Oh good, another recommendation for Atonement Child. :)

No, I think I started that trilogy (does it start with the little girl whose family gets killed? I can't remember her name) a few weeks ago but it was depressing and icky. :P So I had to stop it. I'm sure it's good, I just have a weak stomach. Maybe I should give it another try.

Hm, I may have to try an Orson Scott Card book.

[hestergray.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it does start out with Hadassah and her family during the seige of Jerusalem, and it's kind of icky. Maybe you could just skip the beginning? Once a family takes Hadassah as a slave, it gets more interesting.