Love Amid the Ashes...Review

About the book:
Readers often think of Job sitting on the ash heap, his life in shambles. But how did he get there? What was Job's life like before tragedy struck? What did he think as his world came crashing down around him? And what was life like after God restored his wealth, health, and family?

Through painstaking research and a writer's creative mind, Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of this well-known story told through the eyes of the women who loved him. Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah,
Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.

I wasn't sure what to think about a fictionalized version of the story of Job.  To then have Job linked to Dinah, daughter of Jacob was even more interesting.  But, it worked and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Job's story is told in a straight-forward manner.  Nothing is embellished or exaggerated, but his reactions to his trials, the love he has for his wife are real and anguished.  Dinah's story isn't a completely happy one and the account in the bible is minimal.  This fictionalized version which continues Dinah's story and adds explanations and experiences is fantastic. 

Mesu Andrews completely captured the time and essence of the biblical world.  Her descriptions are vivid and her characterizations were terrific.  She shares, very clearly, in her notes how she came to place Dinah in Job's life, even though there is no biblical proof of it.  Her references and research are extensive and well done.

Through Job's faithfulness and devotion to the teachings of God, Dinah finally learns about forgiveness. This is a beautiful story of learning to accept and understand God's love for each of us. 

Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Thanks to Donna Hausler from Baker Publishing for the opportunity  to review this book.  You can learn more about Mesu Andrews here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 3/11

* * * *
4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. It's an interesting connection no doubt! I usually dislike books that venture that far from the Biblical path so I appreciate your assessment!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This book is the next one in my TBR pile, and I really enjoyed your review so I have an idea of what to expect. :o)

    Thanks for your comment on my review of Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith. Her whole series on the wives of King David have been some of the best Biblical fiction I have ever read! I hope you'll check them out some time. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds so good. I think I'll pop over and see if there is an eBook available. Nice review!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment