This Scarlet Cord, Love Story Series #1
3.5
5
15
15
An interesting take on Rahab's story.
RahabâÂÂs love story.
Those were the words that piqued my interest. We all know who Rahab is, right? She was the woman who helped JoshuaâÂÂs spies escape in Jericho. She is also mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in the book of Matthew.
So I wasnâÂÂt entirely sure what to expect when I opened up Joan WolfâÂÂs latest release. Granted the book was not what I expected, but I still enjoyed it somewhat. Miss WolfâÂÂs writing is easy to read, and her imaginings about life in Biblical times appeared factual.
I really liked how she portrayed Rahab: a free spirit, kind, life-loving, and beautiful girl. However, despite what we were told (that Rahab was only fourteen) it felt like she was much, much older. To pin an age to that, I mean sixteen or seventeen. She didnâÂÂt read at all like a fourteen year old, except maybe when she was pining for Sala.
Speaking of Sala, he also at times didnâÂÂt seem as mature as his age would demand (eighteen). He had his endearing moments though, which made up for the latter. His compassion saved Rahab from being sold into slavery and his love brought her to Yahweh, making him an all around likable character.
Overall, though I felt it took too much creative license here and there, I did like This Scarlet Cord. Before I finish though, I feel I must mention there is a sizable amount of implied sexual relations, due to the pagan culture Rahab lived in, and there was a situation/scene that left me very uncomfortable. Though Miss Wolf spared details, I felt it was unnecessary. For that reason, I give the book three stars.
October 3, 2012
More like 3.5 but close enough to round up
Well, this was certainly different from what I expected. I enjoyed the love story in this book, though the characters seemed younger than they actually were for the last two thirds of the story. It was a different take on the Bible's account so I had to wrap my mind around a different version. I appreciated the conflict and how the author set it up, but because it was so different than the Biblical account when it came to Rahab's relationship with Sala (Salmon) it was harder for me to enjoy this novel.
On the plus side, there was a Romeo and Juliet feel to the story. However, because people familiar with the Biblical account know it contains an expected happily ever after, it's anticipated in this novel as well, therefore genuine angst is harder to evoke when reading this novel. For people who enjoy various takes on Biblical fiction this is sure to please. People who like more of an exact retelling when it comes to the actual facts may have difficulty with this one. All in all, I enjoyed it.
September 1, 2012
Okay book...
The description on the back of the book This Scarlet Cord reads as follows:
Within one of the Old TestamentâÂÂs most famous battles lies one of the most tender love stories.
Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.
Rahab is the youngest daughter of a Canaanite farmer, taken to Jericho for the pagan New Year so her father can find her a wealthy spouse. Sala, the Israelite boy who had once saved her from being kidnapped, is also in Jericho. When the two young people meet again they admit their love for one another, but their different religions make marriage impossible.
Their love story plays out against the background of JerichoâÂÂs pagan rites. It is only when the One True God of Israel comes into RahabâÂÂs lifeâÂÂand she realizes what He is calling her to doâÂÂthat she and Sala can come together.
Witness Rahab as a young woman determined to find her destiny as she follows her heart toward true love . . . and the One True God.
I have to say, I love historical fiction. I love it. So, I was really excited to read this book. I have found, however, that while I enjoy Biblically based fiction, I tend to be incredibly critical of it. ThatâÂÂs what happened with this book. I really felt that the author developed the characters well and the story was woven well. However, and this is a big however, the author took great liberties with the Biblical tale. I was disappointed in that fact, so I will only be giving this book a 3/5.
I received this book free from BookSneeze for my honest review.
August 21, 2012
This Scarlet Cord
This Scarlet Cord is the story of Rahab, who helped hide two Israelite spies before the battle of Jericho, and through her faith, became one of the women named in the genealogy of Jesus. Rahab's story in the Bible is only a few paragraphs long, so the author had lots of room to imagine what Rahab's life was like before and after the fall of Jericho. I understand that authors can take fictional license with characters, but I found the author's supposition that there was a group of Israelites who didn't leave Canaan during the famine while Joseph was in Egypt, but stayed in Canaan, to be very far-fetched. The Bible says that all members of Jacob's family went to Egypt where Joseph and the Pharaoh took care of them. This is how Sala, an Israelite living in Canaan, was able to save Rahab from her kidnappers, early in the book. Thus their meeting in Jericho, a couple years later, wasn't their first meeting. I'm also not sure I agree with the supposition that 14 year old Rahab wasn't married, but still living with her parents, during the fall of Jericho. Nonetheless, it was an interesting take on what Rahab's life may have been like.
With thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers, via NetGalley, for my review copy.
August 19, 2012
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