LaWanda Eckert Especially Meaningful for the Holiday Season
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2010
Verified PurchaseI finished Aggie's beautiful story on Thanksgiving night in a lonely truckstop parking lot. The issues her story raises are as relevant to modern humanity as the ancient. The characters she develops are as realistic and believable as the family next door; their living arrangements are educational and interesting. Several symbols and motifs are prominent throughout: the Holy Grail, the sandy terrain, the shadowy Moses (while a character, can be argued symbolic of law and structure), and the garments worn. All of these interesting scenes, metaphors, and symbols are in keeping with our own Christian traditions at year's end. While this book is appropriate at anytime, it is especially pleasant during the Christmas holiday season. And if you have a little lonely time on your hands, her exciting and cheerful plot will engage your mind and bring you closer to God's love.
Chris Phillips God's Equal Right Amendment
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2010
Review by Chris Phillips
Villaneuva has written some interesting Bible-based historical fiction. At the time of the crossing into the Promised Land, the Jews were dealing with several issues confronting a wandering, nomadic people settling down to become more agrarian. The Bible account deals with the general activities of the people as a whole, while this book deals with some specific people and events not detailed in the Old Testament. The main character is Rizpah. The second daughter of a Hebrew leader of the tribe of Manasseh she is the responsible one in her family directly under her father.
Villaneuva fills in the details for daily living of the Israelites before they crossed Jordan. There is romance, love, duty, honor and, yes, justice in light of a patriarchal society. The key issue is what happens when only daughters are left to inherit from a father's passing. The plot follows consistently and maintains the historical context very well. Only a couple anachronisms sneak in but they are easily forgotten with this tale of a struggle against immense odds for justice and a place to be.
There is a romantic triangle between Rizpah, Caleb (Joshua's second in command) and Hanniel, a warrior from the tribe of Manasseh. The tensions are fed by the difference in age between Rizpah and Caleb, the infatuation of Hanniel with Rizpah and the struggle in Rizpah's own heart for love of a man that does not love her.
There is thoughtful integration of Old Testament passages without interfering with the narrative flow and without professing any particular doctrinal interpretations. It is a refreshing account of those events in Bible history. Villaneuva is a good writer. She handles dialog and thought very well and integrates all the elements of good story-telling into her art.
This book is recommended for Bible based historical fiction readers and is an overall a pleasant read.
Product details
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson 1986
- Language : English
- Paperback : 181 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0840730500
- Item Weight : 11.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.44 x 9 inches
