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Sarah’s story begins in the cradle of civilization: the Sumerian city-state of Ur, a land of desert heat, towering gardens, and immense wealth. The daughter of a powerful lord, Sarah balks at the marriage her father has planned for her. On her wedding day, she impulsively flees to the vast, empty marshes outside the city walls, where she meets a young man named Abram, son of a tribe of outsiders. Drawn to this exotic stranger, Sarah spends one night with him and reluctantly returns to her father’s house. But on her return, she secretly drinks a poisonous potion that will make her barren and thus unfit for marriage.
Many years later, Abram returns to Ur and discovers that the lost, rebellious girl from the marsh has been transformed into a splendid woman—the high priestess of the goddess Ishtar. But Sarah gives up her exalted life to join Abram’s tribe and follow the one true God, an invisible deity who speaks only to Abram. It is then that her journey truly begins.
From the great ziggurat of Ishtar to the fertile valleys of Canaan to the bedchamber of the mighty Pharaoh himself, Sarah’s story reveals an ancient world full of beauty, intrigue, and miracles.
Many years later, Abram returns to Ur and discovers that the lost, rebellious girl from the marsh has been transformed into a splendid woman—the high priestess of the goddess Ishtar. But Sarah gives up her exalted life to join Abram’s tribe and follow the one true God, an invisible deity who speaks only to Abram. It is then that her journey truly begins.
From the great ziggurat of Ishtar to the fertile valleys of Canaan to the bedchamber of the mighty Pharaoh himself, Sarah’s story reveals an ancient world full of beauty, intrigue, and miracles.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
233 people are currently reading
12k people want to read
About the author
Marek Halter
71books175followersMarek Halter was born in Poland in 1936. During World War II, he and his parents narrowly escaped from the Warsaw ghetto. After a time in Russia and Uzbekistan, they emigrated to France in 1950. There Halter studied pantomime with Marcel Marceau and embarked on a career as a painter that led to several international exhibitions. In 1967, he founded the International Committee for a Negotiated Peace Agreement in the Near East and played a crucial role in the organization of the first official meetings between Palestinians and Israelis.
In the 1970s, Marek Halter turned to writing. He first published The Madman and the Kings, which was awarded the Prix Aujourd’hui in 1976. He is also the author of several internationally acclaimed, bestselling historical novels, including The Messiah, The Mysteries of Jerusalem, The Book of Abraham, which won the Prix du Livre Inter, and Sarah, the first of the Canaan trilogy, and Lilah, the concluding one.
In the 1970s, Marek Halter turned to writing. He first published The Madman and the Kings, which was awarded the Prix Aujourd’hui in 1976. He is also the author of several internationally acclaimed, bestselling historical novels, including The Messiah, The Mysteries of Jerusalem, The Book of Abraham, which won the Prix du Livre Inter, and Sarah, the first of the Canaan trilogy, and Lilah, the concluding one.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
June 19, 2017
A historical fiction about the early days of Abraham from Sarah's (Sarai's) point-of-view.
I think that this novel wasted an opportunity for a great story. Like a majority of women in the Bible, Sarai's life was largely untold. So, Marek Halter had a blank slate to work with.
And what he wrote for Sarai was a life of waiting. Waiting for Abram to talk to his god. Waiting for Abram to come back from war. Waiting to become pregnant. Waiting and wandering, looking for a home.
If I had written this story, Sarai would have been so busy doing something spectacular that she would have hardly even noticed Abram's absence or presence. Maybe she invented a new form of weaving. Maybe she started her own business selling those herbed loaves that she was so proud of. Or, to introduce a fantasy twist, maybe she was secretly a vampire hunter, like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
My point is: for a story about a woman, it was mostly about the men in her life. Which makes it not very different than the source material. And, in my mind, a disappointment.
I think that this novel wasted an opportunity for a great story. Like a majority of women in the Bible, Sarai's life was largely untold. So, Marek Halter had a blank slate to work with.
And what he wrote for Sarai was a life of waiting. Waiting for Abram to talk to his god. Waiting for Abram to come back from war. Waiting to become pregnant. Waiting and wandering, looking for a home.
If I had written this story, Sarai would have been so busy doing something spectacular that she would have hardly even noticed Abram's absence or presence. Maybe she invented a new form of weaving. Maybe she started her own business selling those herbed loaves that she was so proud of. Or, to introduce a fantasy twist, maybe she was secretly a vampire hunter, like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
My point is: for a story about a woman, it was mostly about the men in her life. Which makes it not very different than the source material. And, in my mind, a disappointment.
November 29, 2023
The Book of Marek
1. Now in those days there dwelled in the land of the France'ites a man named Ma'rek, who was a prophet of the Lord.
2. And Ma'rek had suffered much for his faith and undergone many trials. And he had seen how strange are the Lord's ways.
3. Now Ma'rek had need of gold. And he prayed to the Lord, saying, show me how I might get me riches, that I may further exalt Thy name.
4. Then that night an angel came to Ma'rek in a dream. And the angel said, write thou a history of Abraham's wife, that is called Sarah, and tell Abraham's story as she did see it; this is the Lord's command.
5. And Ma'rek was afeared, and he said, I am a man; how may I write as a woman? For I know nothing of periods, or pregnancies or other lady business. And moreover, there is little in the Lord's book touching his daughter Sarah, and how may I speak of things I know not? For surely that would anger the Lord.
6. But the angel said, still thy fear; I will instruct thee in all these matters, and tell unto thee Sarah's secret story, that has been lost for many years. Write thou as I speak, and all will be well.
7. And the angel said, thou knowest already that Sarah was the fairest of women. Write first how she was formed: that she had long curvy eyelashes, and fabulous tits, and a deliciously flat stomach, and a hot, tight little... well, thou gettest the picture.
8. Alleluia.
9. And then shalt thou write of Sarah's early years, before she did join her busband in holy matrimony; how she was the Chosen of the Goddess Ishtar, and did sexy topless dances where she sacrificed bulls in Ishtar's temple. For strange are the ways of the Lord, as already noted.
10. And when Sarah did meet Hagar, the daughter of Pharaoh, write thou of how Hagar did strip Sarah naked, and herself also, and did give her hot girl-on-girl massage in a bath of asses' milk. For thus was it, though none did know until this day.
11. And many more naughty details shall I vouchsafe thee, that thy book be a page-turner which all men do read.
12. And Ma'rek was amazed, but he did write as the angel told him. And he did go to the publisher. And the publisher spake, saying, dude, I love it. We got ourselves a winner.
13. And Ma'rek's book was published, and did sell many myriads of copies; even in airport bookstalls was it sold. And across the land of the France'ites was there wailing and gnashing of teeth when the wise men of that land did read it.
14. But Ma'rek cared not what the wise men said, for he knew he did the Lord's work. And verily did he receive much gold, yea, he did laugh all the way to the bank.
15. Here endeth the book of Ma'rek.
1. Now in those days there dwelled in the land of the France'ites a man named Ma'rek, who was a prophet of the Lord.
2. And Ma'rek had suffered much for his faith and undergone many trials. And he had seen how strange are the Lord's ways.
3. Now Ma'rek had need of gold. And he prayed to the Lord, saying, show me how I might get me riches, that I may further exalt Thy name.
4. Then that night an angel came to Ma'rek in a dream. And the angel said, write thou a history of Abraham's wife, that is called Sarah, and tell Abraham's story as she did see it; this is the Lord's command.
5. And Ma'rek was afeared, and he said, I am a man; how may I write as a woman? For I know nothing of periods, or pregnancies or other lady business. And moreover, there is little in the Lord's book touching his daughter Sarah, and how may I speak of things I know not? For surely that would anger the Lord.
6. But the angel said, still thy fear; I will instruct thee in all these matters, and tell unto thee Sarah's secret story, that has been lost for many years. Write thou as I speak, and all will be well.
7. And the angel said, thou knowest already that Sarah was the fairest of women. Write first how she was formed: that she had long curvy eyelashes, and fabulous tits, and a deliciously flat stomach, and a hot, tight little... well, thou gettest the picture.
8. Alleluia.
9. And then shalt thou write of Sarah's early years, before she did join her busband in holy matrimony; how she was the Chosen of the Goddess Ishtar, and did sexy topless dances where she sacrificed bulls in Ishtar's temple. For strange are the ways of the Lord, as already noted.
10. And when Sarah did meet Hagar, the daughter of Pharaoh, write thou of how Hagar did strip Sarah naked, and herself also, and did give her hot girl-on-girl massage in a bath of asses' milk. For thus was it, though none did know until this day.
11. And many more naughty details shall I vouchsafe thee, that thy book be a page-turner which all men do read.
12. And Ma'rek was amazed, but he did write as the angel told him. And he did go to the publisher. And the publisher spake, saying, dude, I love it. We got ourselves a winner.
13. And Ma'rek's book was published, and did sell many myriads of copies; even in airport bookstalls was it sold. And across the land of the France'ites was there wailing and gnashing of teeth when the wise men of that land did read it.
14. But Ma'rek cared not what the wise men said, for he knew he did the Lord's work. And verily did he receive much gold, yea, he did laugh all the way to the bank.
15. Here endeth the book of Ma'rek.
October 16, 2022
This is a beautifully written and rich account of the author's impression of the life of Sarai, the matriarch of the Nation of Israel.
It begin's with her initiation at the age of twelve in the city of Ur, where she is the beautiful daughter of a wealthy nobleman ,after her 'first blood'. She is then given as a bride to a brutal Chaldean nobleman, and flees from his clutches, where she encounters Abram, a young and dashing man from a nomadic tribe near Ur. She is brought home by her father's guards in disgrace, and later takes herbs from a local witch, which destroys her fertility.
She is ordained as a temple priestess before being rescued by Abram, and becomes his wife, journeying with him and his clan to Harran, in modern day Turkey, to Canaan (Israel), and a sojourn in Egypt.
Her beauty does not fade after many years, but she is embittered by her failure to bare children.
Later we are shown her closeness to her Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar, who she later shows jealousy towards, when Hagar gives birth to Ishmail.
The novel introduces new elements such as the lust for Sarai of Abram's nephew Lot, and Sarai's dislike for Abram's servant, Eliezer of Damascus.
The end, from Sarah's miraculous birth of Isaac, until her last days, is rather rushed.
It begin's with her initiation at the age of twelve in the city of Ur, where she is the beautiful daughter of a wealthy nobleman ,after her 'first blood'. She is then given as a bride to a brutal Chaldean nobleman, and flees from his clutches, where she encounters Abram, a young and dashing man from a nomadic tribe near Ur. She is brought home by her father's guards in disgrace, and later takes herbs from a local witch, which destroys her fertility.
She is ordained as a temple priestess before being rescued by Abram, and becomes his wife, journeying with him and his clan to Harran, in modern day Turkey, to Canaan (Israel), and a sojourn in Egypt.
Her beauty does not fade after many years, but she is embittered by her failure to bare children.
Later we are shown her closeness to her Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar, who she later shows jealousy towards, when Hagar gives birth to Ishmail.
The novel introduces new elements such as the lust for Sarai of Abram's nephew Lot, and Sarai's dislike for Abram's servant, Eliezer of Damascus.
The end, from Sarah's miraculous birth of Isaac, until her last days, is rather rushed.
April 25, 2011
I have two ladies in my reading group to thank for this read. I remember Rebecca and Robyn saying how much they enjoyed The Red Tent, and as I browsed the book shelves at the local thrift store, I pulled the book Sarah because of its title, took a second look at it because one reviewer mentioned its likeness to The Red Tent, and thought a fictional narrative about the life of Sarah (and Abraham) would be interesting, to say the least.
Before, during and after my reading of Sarah, I read the biblical account and found these differences, which I understand are the result of poetic license/historical fiction writing:
1. Sarai was Abram’s half sister, not some random youth living outside of the walls of Ur.
2. Abram was ten years older than Sarai, not a mere one or two.
3. “He took her as his wife� means a whole lot more to a historical fiction writer than to a Bible reader.
4. Sarai was beautiful, not ageless.
5. Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Whether or not she was forced into a physical relationship with him is speculation.
6. Issac and Abraham went to mount Moriah; Halter’s addition of Sarah’s trek there seems a bit farfetched.
7. Isaac and Ishmael gathered to mourn Abraham’s death, not Sarah’s, like Halter narrates.
Before reading Sarah, I hadn’t given much thought to: women’s hygiene in biblical times (The Chamber of Blood was pretty interesting), family relationships (How would you react to a family member hearing God’s voice and being instructed to leave everything and go to a new land?), faith and religion before God spoke to Abram (How many gods did (and do) people believe in?!? How would they react to the idea of one god? What would it (and does it) take for people to believe?), nomadic life (No, thank you!), getting married and being barren (Oh, how differently we view marriage and parenthood in the US today.), jealousy spawned by extramarital affairs (Ouch.) and how marital love changes (and hopefully GROWS) through the years and the motivations/backgrounds of Lot, Hagar and Eliezer of Damascus.
In addition to those realizations, I appreciated the reminder of how badly we can mess things up when we fail to be patient and wait for God’s plan. Halter’s book doesn’t necessarily focus on this “learning�, but that’s the lesson I’ve always associated with Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah. Having spent the past two weeks reading and researching Genesis has once again made me think about what patience should look like in my life.
Before, during and after my reading of Sarah, I read the biblical account and found these differences, which I understand are the result of poetic license/historical fiction writing:
1. Sarai was Abram’s half sister, not some random youth living outside of the walls of Ur.
2. Abram was ten years older than Sarai, not a mere one or two.
3. “He took her as his wife� means a whole lot more to a historical fiction writer than to a Bible reader.
4. Sarai was beautiful, not ageless.
5. Sarai was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Whether or not she was forced into a physical relationship with him is speculation.
6. Issac and Abraham went to mount Moriah; Halter’s addition of Sarah’s trek there seems a bit farfetched.
7. Isaac and Ishmael gathered to mourn Abraham’s death, not Sarah’s, like Halter narrates.
Before reading Sarah, I hadn’t given much thought to: women’s hygiene in biblical times (The Chamber of Blood was pretty interesting), family relationships (How would you react to a family member hearing God’s voice and being instructed to leave everything and go to a new land?), faith and religion before God spoke to Abram (How many gods did (and do) people believe in?!? How would they react to the idea of one god? What would it (and does it) take for people to believe?), nomadic life (No, thank you!), getting married and being barren (Oh, how differently we view marriage and parenthood in the US today.), jealousy spawned by extramarital affairs (Ouch.) and how marital love changes (and hopefully GROWS) through the years and the motivations/backgrounds of Lot, Hagar and Eliezer of Damascus.
In addition to those realizations, I appreciated the reminder of how badly we can mess things up when we fail to be patient and wait for God’s plan. Halter’s book doesn’t necessarily focus on this “learning�, but that’s the lesson I’ve always associated with Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah. Having spent the past two weeks reading and researching Genesis has once again made me think about what patience should look like in my life.
January 27, 2018
This book is a fine example of expecting one thing and getting another. Objectively, not a bad book. If Sarah was just a basic historical fiction of the time, that is. But as a woman of the Bible, I was expecting a book with Biblically accurate story. It frustrated me so much I couldn't look at the book objectively.
April 15, 2022
Intriguing and fresh. It has a great balance of artistic speculation and faithfulness to course material, and it is accompanied by poetic prose that brings the characters to life. The alterations of points of view also give depth to the story as a whole, we see Sarah both as she is perceived by others, as well as how she perceives herself. A good read for those intriguing by biblical or ancient fiction.
May 27, 2018
This is a fantastic read, especially for those who are curious about events from the Bible and how they could have related to other stories and timelines. The story of Sarah, though some things might be stretched for fiction, is wildly interesting and spans over many decades, finally ending in her greatest triumph and wish, which was for a son, even if he came to her in old age. I grew up religious and always enjoyed the stories of the Bible because they seemed too incredible to believe and now as a non-religious adult, I enjoy the affordances that these stories allow for authors. Halter’s version of Sarah and Abraham are not only likeable but human and offer a glimpse of what the real story could have been. Halter is a great writer, did these events of the Bible happen? Maybe, maybe not, but I had a great time reading his work.
October 9, 2008
Mr. Halter takes extensive creataive liberties with sacred historical figures. I do prefer Orson Scott Cards version better - Women of Genesis series with a book also titled Sarah - mainly because those books are less sexual and likely closer to actual events.
This version is well written and easy to read. Sarai's emotions are strong pulling you into the center of her heart. Halter creates a childhood for her with no historical connection but is interesting. Much of the first part of the book focuses on that part of her story.
From the first time she meets Abram you can't help but fall in love with him too as seen through her eyes. Her youthful crush is all consuming that she takes action to dodge marriage arrangements knowing she could only truly care for him. They meet again and Abram takes the princess from Ur into the wilderness to be his wife where she never looks back.
Halter then takes a spin on Sarai's perception about her renowned beauty and how it was the curse linked to her barron state. Her deep secret tears at her core. None-the-less, Abram's so in love with her and his newly found relation with the One God that he's not concerned about an heir. She doesn't have the same frame of reference and confidence and thus carries a painful burden, largely by herself.
The survival of her people during drought had much to do with her actions when they arrived in Egypt, but at great personal cost. Her heart ache drives her to hide her face behind a red veil while Abram continues to grow a nation. In time, she too comes to know the One God and witnesses a miracle beyond reason which will be retold for generations - a son from her own barron womb.
This version is well written and easy to read. Sarai's emotions are strong pulling you into the center of her heart. Halter creates a childhood for her with no historical connection but is interesting. Much of the first part of the book focuses on that part of her story.
From the first time she meets Abram you can't help but fall in love with him too as seen through her eyes. Her youthful crush is all consuming that she takes action to dodge marriage arrangements knowing she could only truly care for him. They meet again and Abram takes the princess from Ur into the wilderness to be his wife where she never looks back.
Halter then takes a spin on Sarai's perception about her renowned beauty and how it was the curse linked to her barron state. Her deep secret tears at her core. None-the-less, Abram's so in love with her and his newly found relation with the One God that he's not concerned about an heir. She doesn't have the same frame of reference and confidence and thus carries a painful burden, largely by herself.
The survival of her people during drought had much to do with her actions when they arrived in Egypt, but at great personal cost. Her heart ache drives her to hide her face behind a red veil while Abram continues to grow a nation. In time, she too comes to know the One God and witnesses a miracle beyond reason which will be retold for generations - a son from her own barron womb.
July 16, 2008
this book is rather heinous. an intriguing take on the positions&beliefs of the characters but made ridiculous.
June 21, 2020
SARAH is one of three novels (The Canaan Trilogy) presented as a series, using women of the Old Testament as the central characters in each one. Of the three women, the person of Sarah is by far the most well known to people. This novel imagines Sarah as a young girl born of privilege in Ur, a Sumerian city-state. She is destined for an arranged marriage. As the reader would expect, she rebels against this destiny and consequently finds herself on a far-different path from that of obedient wife, mother and homemaker. After a series of events which essentially render her unsuitable for the marriage which her father has tried to contract for her, the Sarah of the novel ends up as the high priestess of the great (local variety) goddess of war. Along the way, she has met a rough, earthy, yet sensitive, fellow named Abram, and she just can't get him out of her mind. As one would know from even a cursory knowledge of the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, Sarah (Sarai) and Abram do manage to reunite and set off on a long, nomadic journey, guided by the unseen and compelling God that has spoken to Abram and called him out to be the patriarch of His people, settling in the land of Canaan.
While the first parts of the book are extra-Biblical in their settings and story, the subsequent parts call to mind the sparse details which we can glean from Genesis. The details from Genesis are fleshed out and expanded into the fictional account of how Abram and Sarai lived their lives and came to be the founders of "a great nation." This book in particular reminds its readers that Abram-Abraham did not come to be a patriarch absent the presence of a strong, capable and significant matriarch.
One more thing: I did not realize until after I had read this book that it is a translation from French. The translator (Howard Curtis) has done a lovely job, using beautiful language, descriptive turns of phrase, and a deft hand in presenting Marek Halter's original work for the English-speaking reader.
While the first parts of the book are extra-Biblical in their settings and story, the subsequent parts call to mind the sparse details which we can glean from Genesis. The details from Genesis are fleshed out and expanded into the fictional account of how Abram and Sarai lived their lives and came to be the founders of "a great nation." This book in particular reminds its readers that Abram-Abraham did not come to be a patriarch absent the presence of a strong, capable and significant matriarch.
One more thing: I did not realize until after I had read this book that it is a translation from French. The translator (Howard Curtis) has done a lovely job, using beautiful language, descriptive turns of phrase, and a deft hand in presenting Marek Halter's original work for the English-speaking reader.
October 26, 2014
I was assured from several sources that if I enjoyed The Red Tent, I would enjoy Sarah. No two books could be further apart in their value. The Red Tent is a fascinating, nuanced, well researched tale that gives voice and agency to women who are only glanced over in the Bible. Sarah is a bland, generically romantic story that bears no resemblance to any characters or cultures from the Bible. I don't normally set books aside, but by page 156, it became apparent that Halter was going to reduce Sarah to nothing but two dimensional desires for romance and children. There is no nuance and no depth to Sarah's character. She exists to love Abram. She is not a person, she is a collection of ideas of what men think women want - a thing far removed from what women want.
The combination of a completely two dimensional heroine, a lack of research into Mesopotamian cultures and a strange disconnect from any Biblical Abram or Sarai renders this book completely unreadable.
The combination of a completely two dimensional heroine, a lack of research into Mesopotamian cultures and a strange disconnect from any Biblical Abram or Sarai renders this book completely unreadable.
May 30, 2007
Another work of Biblically inspired works. Provides a neat perspective of Sarai (before she becomes Sarah). A good look at ancient Mesopotamian culture. Illustrates well the romance between Sarah and Abraham and how it grew from when they were Sarai and Abram into their old age and the miracle birth of their first child. Books of this sort make Biblical stories more personal and relatable.
January 22, 2014
"Youth knows nothing of time, old age knows nothing but time. When you're young, you play hide-and-seek with the shade. When you're old, you seek out the warmth of the sun. But the shade is always there, while the sun is fleeting. It rises, crosses the sky, and disappears, and we wait impatiently for its return. These days, I love time as much as I love Isaac, the son I waited so long to see." Sarah
So is the moral of life... according to Sarah wife of Abraham who was once Sarai taken by Abram who spoke with God.
This, was a wonderful Biblical Historical Fiction and I can't think of a moment when I wasn't glued to the page.
First, let me be clear, this is Historical fiction. Though it is based very closely on the Biblical characters, settings and events this is not your Bible companion or devotional. I'd not want anyone to become confused with what is word for word Biblical truth vs where there is an element of fictional liberty. That being said, however, this was an amazing interpretation of the story of Abram/Sarai aka Abraham/Sarah. It is fun to imagine the possible betweens or prequels within the verses and stanzas of the Holy Bible. What is already written, is important, we take word for word but what is unsaid, we can only assume. Those are the liberties that author Marek Halter takes and it makes an engrossing reading experience.
Most are all familiar with the Biblical story of Abram son of Terah. If not, you can meet him in Genesis 11:26 and continue to read to the end of his story. (Or until you just can't stop, the Bible is like that. So many stories and accounts.) Generally Abram/Abraham's journey and calling by God are known but what I found fascinating about this book was that this account is about Sarai/Sarah. From Sarai/Sarah's point of view. She's mentioned, but what if she could talk to us and tell us her story. This is what is within this book. Sarai/Sarah tells us where she's from. She tells us her pre-Abram life, her post Abram life and everything in between. Filled with her dreams, her yearning, her passion and her at times cynical nature, Sarai/Sarah is a very impressive and formidable woman.
If you're looking for the magical Hollywoodesque interpretations that we've all witnessed on the big screen, you're not going to find it. And I'm glad. I think that was the point of this delivery of the Abram/Sari story. I feel the author attempted to make these people more real and viable contrary to the Hollywood portrayal of booming voices and smoke and mirrors. When we have a God experience, it's just a happening only we know internally. This book sought to do just that, bring the real story out of the clouds and into the lives of real people. These people of old were ordinary people just like you and me who experienced and witnessed the extraordinary. They had doubts. They were confused. They had checkered pasts. They made bad decisions. They questioned their faith. They, called out to God in the wilderness and at times heard no voice.
This is also a story of a great love affair. When you allow a woman to tell her life's story from her point of view, you must be prepared to learn of romance. Abram and Sarai's love was an example for relationships to stand the test of time. From their slow burning advance to the heights of passion. From their tests and betrayals, to their forgiveness and undying dedication. This is the story of a great love affair.
Mother Sarai/Sarah was a very intriguing woman. You will enjoy her story from the mother of many nations.
I give this book 5 stars. It was excellent. There are two other books in this series. I have them and am looking forward to both. I recommend of course to readers of Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction readers and people who enjoy the voice of strong women unapologetically speaking the true journey of their life.
Disclosure: I have no shame in admitting that I am of the Christian belief and a lot of my religious opinion happens to come within this review. My review. My opinion. However, I respect one's right to chose and honor their own beliefs, I expect the same respect in regards to any comments that reach outside of the scope of discussing this book. Respect.
So is the moral of life... according to Sarah wife of Abraham who was once Sarai taken by Abram who spoke with God.
This, was a wonderful Biblical Historical Fiction and I can't think of a moment when I wasn't glued to the page.
First, let me be clear, this is Historical fiction. Though it is based very closely on the Biblical characters, settings and events this is not your Bible companion or devotional. I'd not want anyone to become confused with what is word for word Biblical truth vs where there is an element of fictional liberty. That being said, however, this was an amazing interpretation of the story of Abram/Sarai aka Abraham/Sarah. It is fun to imagine the possible betweens or prequels within the verses and stanzas of the Holy Bible. What is already written, is important, we take word for word but what is unsaid, we can only assume. Those are the liberties that author Marek Halter takes and it makes an engrossing reading experience.
Most are all familiar with the Biblical story of Abram son of Terah. If not, you can meet him in Genesis 11:26 and continue to read to the end of his story. (Or until you just can't stop, the Bible is like that. So many stories and accounts.) Generally Abram/Abraham's journey and calling by God are known but what I found fascinating about this book was that this account is about Sarai/Sarah. From Sarai/Sarah's point of view. She's mentioned, but what if she could talk to us and tell us her story. This is what is within this book. Sarai/Sarah tells us where she's from. She tells us her pre-Abram life, her post Abram life and everything in between. Filled with her dreams, her yearning, her passion and her at times cynical nature, Sarai/Sarah is a very impressive and formidable woman.
If you're looking for the magical Hollywoodesque interpretations that we've all witnessed on the big screen, you're not going to find it. And I'm glad. I think that was the point of this delivery of the Abram/Sari story. I feel the author attempted to make these people more real and viable contrary to the Hollywood portrayal of booming voices and smoke and mirrors. When we have a God experience, it's just a happening only we know internally. This book sought to do just that, bring the real story out of the clouds and into the lives of real people. These people of old were ordinary people just like you and me who experienced and witnessed the extraordinary. They had doubts. They were confused. They had checkered pasts. They made bad decisions. They questioned their faith. They, called out to God in the wilderness and at times heard no voice.
This is also a story of a great love affair. When you allow a woman to tell her life's story from her point of view, you must be prepared to learn of romance. Abram and Sarai's love was an example for relationships to stand the test of time. From their slow burning advance to the heights of passion. From their tests and betrayals, to their forgiveness and undying dedication. This is the story of a great love affair.
Mother Sarai/Sarah was a very intriguing woman. You will enjoy her story from the mother of many nations.
I give this book 5 stars. It was excellent. There are two other books in this series. I have them and am looking forward to both. I recommend of course to readers of Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction readers and people who enjoy the voice of strong women unapologetically speaking the true journey of their life.
Disclosure: I have no shame in admitting that I am of the Christian belief and a lot of my religious opinion happens to come within this review. My review. My opinion. However, I respect one's right to chose and honor their own beliefs, I expect the same respect in regards to any comments that reach outside of the scope of discussing this book. Respect.
June 14, 2015
Sarah by Marek Halter
After reading this for the second time (the first being in 2008 when I just commenced on a 4-year study of the Bible and Marek Halter's writings were recommended) I think I enjoyed it even more than the first time through.
I do appreciate how nothing in Halter's work contradicts the inspired writing of scripture, but just allows a 'story' to fill in the gaps of what we might imagine was the 'life' of the character in question.
My first time through I was not so familiar with the travels of Sarah and Abraham, but this time I was ready and waiting for the twists and turns in the plot and was anticipating the shifts and climaxes the story would have to present in line with scripture.
I have recently read The Book of Abraham as well, a long read but wonderful in giving insight to the history of Judaism in the Western World from the time of the destruction of the 2nd Temple to 'modern' history. This novel, the fictionalized account of Sarah, is one of three books coursing through early Israelite history and I am excited to move on to Zipporah and then Lilah (not quite sure her role) to further invigorate my imagination about the lives of these women. The trick will be finding the intermediary work to connect King David's time to the era of the 2nd Temple.
When I was deep in the study of the Torah for the first time, I was almost afraid to read something fictional for fear of not being able to discern the line between scripture and fiction, but I would say that Marek Halter writes in a fashion that is safe and rewarding to the reader, more and more so for the one well-versed in scripture.
I highly recommend his works, but be ready for details and density in the larger books!
After reading this for the second time (the first being in 2008 when I just commenced on a 4-year study of the Bible and Marek Halter's writings were recommended) I think I enjoyed it even more than the first time through.
I do appreciate how nothing in Halter's work contradicts the inspired writing of scripture, but just allows a 'story' to fill in the gaps of what we might imagine was the 'life' of the character in question.
My first time through I was not so familiar with the travels of Sarah and Abraham, but this time I was ready and waiting for the twists and turns in the plot and was anticipating the shifts and climaxes the story would have to present in line with scripture.
I have recently read The Book of Abraham as well, a long read but wonderful in giving insight to the history of Judaism in the Western World from the time of the destruction of the 2nd Temple to 'modern' history. This novel, the fictionalized account of Sarah, is one of three books coursing through early Israelite history and I am excited to move on to Zipporah and then Lilah (not quite sure her role) to further invigorate my imagination about the lives of these women. The trick will be finding the intermediary work to connect King David's time to the era of the 2nd Temple.
When I was deep in the study of the Torah for the first time, I was almost afraid to read something fictional for fear of not being able to discern the line between scripture and fiction, but I would say that Marek Halter writes in a fashion that is safe and rewarding to the reader, more and more so for the one well-versed in scripture.
I highly recommend his works, but be ready for details and density in the larger books!
November 27, 2013
This book brings the Bible story of Abram and Sarah to life! Although a work of fiction it has all the necessary facts taken from the Bible story that we all know and simply makes the different characters seem real, like seeing them in three dimentions where before they were in two. Mr. Halter has such an empathy with the female side of Sarah, he shows her courage but also her fears and vulnerability. We see what it was like to be a woman in the time of Abram, someone to be used as a piece of merchandise sold to the highest bidder, even if you came from a wealthy family and you were well treated by your parents, in the end your father owned you and then you married at a very young age and your husband owned you. Sarah had the courage to rebel and fight for the freedom to be with the man she loved, a choice that was a hard one which sent her on the journey into the desert, turnig her back on riches and living instead in a tent as a nomad. Sarah also has to turn her back on the gods worshipped by her people and eventually came to believe in The One True God, YHWY, but even that was not a choice that meant an easy life, she and Abram still had to face many hardships and their faith was truly tested.
A really good read, it made me go back to my Bible and re-read the story of Sarah and Abram, seeing it in a new light.
A really good read, it made me go back to my Bible and re-read the story of Sarah and Abram, seeing it in a new light.
February 15, 2016
While I appreciate the author's intent of bringing Sarai/Sarah to life, I felt the narration could have been done better, especially the birth and life of Isaac, and some of the sexual details bordered on pornographic. When it comes to novels based on the Bible, I think I'll stick to ones from Christian publishers.
March 25, 2017
This is like 3.5 stars rounded up.
I rounded up because this was a fun read and easy to get through. I enjoyed the historical aspect of it, but I am in no way knowledgeable about ancient Mesopotamian history or culture so I have no idea whether or not this is historically or culturally accurate or well-researched. This is probably why I enjoyed this novel as much as I did, as I didn't need to nitpick for accuracy.
I have to admit, I am a sucker for fictional reinterpretations of history and historical figures, and I thought for the most part, that Marek Halter did a pretty decent job of re-imagining the history of Sarai and Abram from Biblical Genesis. As there is no recorded history of either of these two figures other than what is recorded in a few chapters of Genesis, the author had to fictionalize large portions of this story.
Sarai is a beautiful daughter of a rich man, and the novel opens with her preparing for an arranged marriage to a complete stranger. The willful Sarai escapes the wall of her father's city and meets Abram, a darker-skinned young man who is travelling with his family of nomads. She and Abram have an instant connection, and though she spends the night with him, decides ultimately to return to her father's house the next morning. Sarai decides to visit a medicine woman in the village who gives her a potion to make her temporarily barren so that she will be unfit to marry the man her father has chosen for her. The young and foolish Sarai doesn't follow the woman's directions properly, and the poison has affected her womb indefinitely.
Declared unfit for marriage due to her barrenness, Sarai becomes a high priestess to one of the goddesses of the city. However, she continues to be haunted by thoughts and dreams of the handsome and enigmatic young man who showed kindness and hospitality to her years earlier. When Abram re-enters Sarai's life again, she leaves her privileged life behind to follow him and his family of nomadic herdsmen.
The descriptions of the culture of the times and the landscape are probably what I loved best about this novel. Sarai and Abram finally make their journey all the way to ancient Egypt, and I, being a lover of all things Egyptian, found this plotline to be the highlight of the novel. Sarah also presents a beautiful portrait of marriage, though I wouldn't call this book a romance at all. Sarai and Abram's union is not at all perfect, and her barrenness presents more than a few problems, insecurities, and resentments to come to light. In those days, a man's worth was dependent on how many sons a wife could produce, and for Abram, the leader of his tribe, to have none was a very big deal. The portrayal of their marriage in this novel is at times tender and beautiful, but also at times ugly and tumultuous. Abram sometimes comes off as a loving husband and competent ruler, and at times comes off as a tremendous ass. However, it is this dual nature of their relationship that I find refreshing, as I believe it is realistic and believable, and suffered from a lot of the problems married couples face in real life. I liked that this author inserted some realism into the romantic plot, and was relieved that he didn't make this almighty biblical couple larger than life and cliche.
Another theme that I enjoyed is the idea of beauty, and what being beautiful means. Sarai is described as being the most beautiful woman in the tribe. Her beauty is so intense that it is at times described as being almost unnatural, or divine. She also does not age at the same rate as the other ladies, and her youth seems to be with her always, even as her husband ages and becomes slower. Her beauty becomes a source of resentment for Abram, as she cannot bear children. Sarai also catches the eyes of many men, including Abram's nephew Lot. Sarai also resents her beauty, and believes her youth to be a curse. She believes it is her punishment for taking the poison in her youth to always be young and beautiful, but to never receive the gift of children. She is stuck in this state most of the way through the book, and I thought it was interesting to hear her thoughts about the subject, particularly when Abram's attentions begin to shift toward her younger handmaid, Hagar, who is able to bear Abram a son.
All in all, I liked the historical plot, and though this isn't the best historical novel I've ever read, I found it enjoyable and different. I will be interested in reading the rest of this trilogy sometime in the future.
I rounded up because this was a fun read and easy to get through. I enjoyed the historical aspect of it, but I am in no way knowledgeable about ancient Mesopotamian history or culture so I have no idea whether or not this is historically or culturally accurate or well-researched. This is probably why I enjoyed this novel as much as I did, as I didn't need to nitpick for accuracy.
I have to admit, I am a sucker for fictional reinterpretations of history and historical figures, and I thought for the most part, that Marek Halter did a pretty decent job of re-imagining the history of Sarai and Abram from Biblical Genesis. As there is no recorded history of either of these two figures other than what is recorded in a few chapters of Genesis, the author had to fictionalize large portions of this story.
Sarai is a beautiful daughter of a rich man, and the novel opens with her preparing for an arranged marriage to a complete stranger. The willful Sarai escapes the wall of her father's city and meets Abram, a darker-skinned young man who is travelling with his family of nomads. She and Abram have an instant connection, and though she spends the night with him, decides ultimately to return to her father's house the next morning. Sarai decides to visit a medicine woman in the village who gives her a potion to make her temporarily barren so that she will be unfit to marry the man her father has chosen for her. The young and foolish Sarai doesn't follow the woman's directions properly, and the poison has affected her womb indefinitely.
Declared unfit for marriage due to her barrenness, Sarai becomes a high priestess to one of the goddesses of the city. However, she continues to be haunted by thoughts and dreams of the handsome and enigmatic young man who showed kindness and hospitality to her years earlier. When Abram re-enters Sarai's life again, she leaves her privileged life behind to follow him and his family of nomadic herdsmen.
The descriptions of the culture of the times and the landscape are probably what I loved best about this novel. Sarai and Abram finally make their journey all the way to ancient Egypt, and I, being a lover of all things Egyptian, found this plotline to be the highlight of the novel. Sarah also presents a beautiful portrait of marriage, though I wouldn't call this book a romance at all. Sarai and Abram's union is not at all perfect, and her barrenness presents more than a few problems, insecurities, and resentments to come to light. In those days, a man's worth was dependent on how many sons a wife could produce, and for Abram, the leader of his tribe, to have none was a very big deal. The portrayal of their marriage in this novel is at times tender and beautiful, but also at times ugly and tumultuous. Abram sometimes comes off as a loving husband and competent ruler, and at times comes off as a tremendous ass. However, it is this dual nature of their relationship that I find refreshing, as I believe it is realistic and believable, and suffered from a lot of the problems married couples face in real life. I liked that this author inserted some realism into the romantic plot, and was relieved that he didn't make this almighty biblical couple larger than life and cliche.
Another theme that I enjoyed is the idea of beauty, and what being beautiful means. Sarai is described as being the most beautiful woman in the tribe. Her beauty is so intense that it is at times described as being almost unnatural, or divine. She also does not age at the same rate as the other ladies, and her youth seems to be with her always, even as her husband ages and becomes slower. Her beauty becomes a source of resentment for Abram, as she cannot bear children. Sarai also catches the eyes of many men, including Abram's nephew Lot. Sarai also resents her beauty, and believes her youth to be a curse. She believes it is her punishment for taking the poison in her youth to always be young and beautiful, but to never receive the gift of children. She is stuck in this state most of the way through the book, and I thought it was interesting to hear her thoughts about the subject, particularly when Abram's attentions begin to shift toward her younger handmaid, Hagar, who is able to bear Abram a son.
All in all, I liked the historical plot, and though this isn't the best historical novel I've ever read, I found it enjoyable and different. I will be interested in reading the rest of this trilogy sometime in the future.
June 14, 2015
I've read the Red Tent and loved it, so when I picked out this book, I was curious.
The language of the book is delicate as the milk that flow in the Pharaoh's pool and timeless as Sarai's enthralling beauty. Many memorable lines lights up the ancient mind of Sarai and highlights the author's keen observation. The plots moves along with grace and right amount of suspense. It kept my attention.
My only regret, however, is I do not care for Sarai when she first appears. Why all the fuss about the blood? Why so willful, for what? The narrative also shifts at times, especially after Abram decides to leave his father. Sarai's mind and body fade into the wind, and Abram's world dominates, but his mind is never truly revealed. It is also dubious why Abram decides to send her to Pharaoh as his sister, not his wife. What's the difference? Why is it more acceptable to sell her as his sister, not as his wife? I do not understand why Abram wants to sacrifice Isaac either. Why there is a need to do so when his people are well-fed and his nation is expanding?
The language of the book is delicate as the milk that flow in the Pharaoh's pool and timeless as Sarai's enthralling beauty. Many memorable lines lights up the ancient mind of Sarai and highlights the author's keen observation. The plots moves along with grace and right amount of suspense. It kept my attention.
My only regret, however, is I do not care for Sarai when she first appears. Why all the fuss about the blood? Why so willful, for what? The narrative also shifts at times, especially after Abram decides to leave his father. Sarai's mind and body fade into the wind, and Abram's world dominates, but his mind is never truly revealed. It is also dubious why Abram decides to send her to Pharaoh as his sister, not his wife. What's the difference? Why is it more acceptable to sell her as his sister, not as his wife? I do not understand why Abram wants to sacrifice Isaac either. Why there is a need to do so when his people are well-fed and his nation is expanding?
April 26, 2008
The author's personal beliefs certainly influences his writing. Comparing the Red Tent, Sarah by Orson Scott Card and this book and can tell how the author's personal beliefs influenced the way they told the story. I thought the Red Tent and this book had a lot of interesting details about culture and customs; but I liked personality traits that Card gave to the characters best.
January 11, 2010
If you read and liked The Red Tent...you will like this as well.
I read it in a handful of days.
Cant wait to read Zipporah...the second of this trilogy!
My thought to follow shortly...
I read it in a handful of days.
Cant wait to read Zipporah...the second of this trilogy!
My thought to follow shortly...
September 1, 2010
Sarai was born to one of the great lords of Ur. Hers was a life filled with wealth and beauty until the fateful day when she became a woman. Suddenly, she was expected to marry a man she’d never met and serve him as a virtual slave, his every whim her command. It was not to be borne!
Sarai flees her father’s house and plunges into the countryside, where she stumbles across Abram, a simple man to whom she is strangely drawn. Although Sarai is caught and returned to her father, she takes a concoction rendering her barren. Her unique states propels her life along a different course and she becomes a priestess of Ishtar, Ur’s goddess of war.
Once more, Abram enters her life and Sarai joins Abram at last, becoming his wife. Although the young couple seems happy enough, Sarai remains barren and no child is born to them. Sarai offers Abram her handmaid, Hagar, to give him the son he so desperately wants. A quarrel eventually breaks out between the two women, as they compete for position in Abram’s world.
Told from the point of view of Sarai herself, this book is a unique glimpse into what life in Biblical times might have been like. At times, the story is raw and brutally realistic and at others, Halter’s words create visions of inspiration for the faithful. Well written with great characterizations.
Sarai flees her father’s house and plunges into the countryside, where she stumbles across Abram, a simple man to whom she is strangely drawn. Although Sarai is caught and returned to her father, she takes a concoction rendering her barren. Her unique states propels her life along a different course and she becomes a priestess of Ishtar, Ur’s goddess of war.
Once more, Abram enters her life and Sarai joins Abram at last, becoming his wife. Although the young couple seems happy enough, Sarai remains barren and no child is born to them. Sarai offers Abram her handmaid, Hagar, to give him the son he so desperately wants. A quarrel eventually breaks out between the two women, as they compete for position in Abram’s world.
Told from the point of view of Sarai herself, this book is a unique glimpse into what life in Biblical times might have been like. At times, the story is raw and brutally realistic and at others, Halter’s words create visions of inspiration for the faithful. Well written with great characterizations.
January 31, 2017
U epohi sukoba kraljeva i religija, u doba sujeverja i čarobnica, u vrijeme kada su sudbinu žene određivali muškarci, rođena je Sara kao Sarai, kćerka plemića iz grada Ura, u kraljevini Sumera i Akada. Od djetinjstva, koje naglo prestaje pojavom djevojačke krvi i udajom, ona ustaje protiv uloge žene i kćerke, bježi sa svog vjenčanja, uzima magične trave čarobnice i preokreće svoju sudbinu.
Jedan dječak, Avram, postaje njen spasilac, njena nada, ali i njeno iskušenje. Donosi joj sreću, patnju i poniženje. Jedna žena � sveštenica, kraljica i robinja. Noseći u sebi tragičnu grešku � ljepotu koju vrijeme ne umanjuje i pred kojom kleče kraljevi � ona provodi cio život, u kojem prolazi kroz sve: sreću, nevolju, uspone i padove, lišena jedine stvari za kojom žudi � da postane majka. I upravo je u toj želji njena snaga � sve se menja i prolazi, čak i ljubav, samo neuslišena želja ostaje.
Biblijska Sara, majka onih koji vjeruju u jedinog Boga, u stvari je svaka žena. Ona, ma koliko bila lijepa i moćna, nosi u sebi nešto nepromjenjivo ranjivo i nježno - žensku dušu, koja je lijepa i slobodna, ali beskrajno usamljena. Ona je vječita tajna svake žene, njena istinska ljepota i dom njene tuge.
Jedan dječak, Avram, postaje njen spasilac, njena nada, ali i njeno iskušenje. Donosi joj sreću, patnju i poniženje. Jedna žena � sveštenica, kraljica i robinja. Noseći u sebi tragičnu grešku � ljepotu koju vrijeme ne umanjuje i pred kojom kleče kraljevi � ona provodi cio život, u kojem prolazi kroz sve: sreću, nevolju, uspone i padove, lišena jedine stvari za kojom žudi � da postane majka. I upravo je u toj želji njena snaga � sve se menja i prolazi, čak i ljubav, samo neuslišena želja ostaje.
Biblijska Sara, majka onih koji vjeruju u jedinog Boga, u stvari je svaka žena. Ona, ma koliko bila lijepa i moćna, nosi u sebi nešto nepromjenjivo ranjivo i nježno - žensku dušu, koja je lijepa i slobodna, ali beskrajno usamljena. Ona je vječita tajna svake žene, njena istinska ljepota i dom njene tuge.
February 17, 2021
I wish I could give a book negative stars. This book was me trying to get a little something different. I will never be the same and try not to judge book by their covers anymore. This cover was beautiful. This book was hideous. Not Biblically accurate, as far as I can see. Although there are some truths in it, most of it was awful. I could not get through this fast enough (which was about half an hour). Also, too many descriptions of things I did not need to hear in such detail and things that didn’t need to be described. Very disturbing.
December 15, 2015
Loved this story. A woman with such beauty who was Muslim marries a man who is not and becomes the mother of all nations. She ends up with a pharaoh who gives her back because of nightmares...For some reason Moses agrees with this and she is cursed with this beauty until the one who creates lets her conceive...She then becomes the mother of all nations...
December 8, 2020
Het is al even geleden dat ik deze boek heb gelezen. Maar ik weet dat ik heel verfrissend vond om het verhaal vanuit vrouwelijke kant.
January 25, 2015
As a reader who enjoys Christian biblical fiction I found this book really good. One has to remind themselves that it IS fiction and to not read into the filler of the story as truth. Having said that, it is entertaining, a strong love story and sticks true to Abram's and Sarai's faith in God. The details and the authors ability to make you feel as if you are there is amazing! If you are a reader who likes to dive into a story this is a book for you. There are many biblical pieces that are brought to light and it's neat to focus in on them and brainstorm what life might have been like for the persons at the time. Really Marek Halter is an overlooked author. His writing is phenomenal and the subjects difficult to write on. As this is book one in a trilogy, I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Lastly, there is some sexual content to this book and I would consider it an adult book.
April 22, 2015
Wow! What an incredible story! The trials, rites of passage, weddings and rituals that women went through during this period of history were incredible and over the top! I am so thankful that I live in the 21st century! I was enamored with this story and also disgusted by some of the ridicule and customs put upon women. I enjoy the celebrations of weddings in this time but also found some of the details of the ceremonies uncomfortable and very unusual. I was intrigued by the storyline and empathized with Sarah as she experienced so many different trials, many of which she was very unprepared for. This story rouses the compassion straight out of the reader's heart and made me hang on almost every word. I read this story quickly as I didn't want to put it down!
Marek Halter certainly captures the attention and emotions of the reader! His language is beautiful and descriptive! I look forward to reading his other books!
Marek Halter certainly captures the attention and emotions of the reader! His language is beautiful and descriptive! I look forward to reading his other books!
November 9, 2016
Incredibly poorly written. Not even close to The Red Tent, which celebrates the complexities of the female experience and celebrates womanhood, while the main character of this book is one-dimensional and exists entirely through the men who surround her.
From the very start, the portrayal of womanhood is clumsy and inaccurate. Within a few paragraphs, I thought to myself 'this has to be written by a man. No woman would describe menstruation like this.' Blood does not gush out like a severe wound. The pain is not a few infrequent sudden and sharp pangs followed by hours of ease and comfort. PHYSICAL VIRGINITY ISN'T A THING. Women do not give birth from their vulvas. An aroused woman doesn't feel her womb swell and pulsate. No.
Also, WOMEN CAN HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER WOMEN THAT DON'T INVOLVE JEALOUSY OR COMPETITION OVER A MAN.
This book falls far short of what I was expecting.
From the very start, the portrayal of womanhood is clumsy and inaccurate. Within a few paragraphs, I thought to myself 'this has to be written by a man. No woman would describe menstruation like this.' Blood does not gush out like a severe wound. The pain is not a few infrequent sudden and sharp pangs followed by hours of ease and comfort. PHYSICAL VIRGINITY ISN'T A THING. Women do not give birth from their vulvas. An aroused woman doesn't feel her womb swell and pulsate. No.
Also, WOMEN CAN HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER WOMEN THAT DON'T INVOLVE JEALOUSY OR COMPETITION OVER A MAN.
This book falls far short of what I was expecting.
January 23, 2010
From the historical standpoint of this book, I loved it. I loved the scenarios Mr. Halter put out to explain the Bible stories, and I loved the way he described the cities of Ur, the palace of the Pharoah, and the lands of Canaan and Hebron. I thought the characteristics of Sarai/Sarah were really well done, and I loved the personality she was given.
However the book was slightly too sexual for my taste. I realize that this was part of statement being made that Bible is not a pure and holy book, but still, it was too much in this book. I found myself skipping over the passages that were becoming slightly pornographic, and in general I do not think that I want to read the next book. I shudder to think how Mr. Halter will describe Moses and Zipporah.
However the book was slightly too sexual for my taste. I realize that this was part of statement being made that Bible is not a pure and holy book, but still, it was too much in this book. I found myself skipping over the passages that were becoming slightly pornographic, and in general I do not think that I want to read the next book. I shudder to think how Mr. Halter will describe Moses and Zipporah.
July 30, 2015
"
En conclusion, je dois dire que ce roman est une excellente découverte et que j’ai hâte d’enchaîner avec la suite ainsi que les deux autres romans de cet auteur. J’ai découvert un pan de l’histoire biblique à travers les yeux de Sarah, une héroïne pleine de sentiments (qu’ils soient bénéfiques ou néfastes), courageuse mais tellement faible aussi, j’en aurai appris plus tout en me laissant transporter par ce récit qui aura été presque addictif. Très accessible, avec une plume agréable et surprenante, c’est une mise en lumière que je recommande /à tous, que vous ayez lu la Bible ou non !
Ce sera un 18/20 pour moi et j’ai hâte de me plonger dans la suite !"
Chronique entière ici :
En conclusion, je dois dire que ce roman est une excellente découverte et que j’ai hâte d’enchaîner avec la suite ainsi que les deux autres romans de cet auteur. J’ai découvert un pan de l’histoire biblique à travers les yeux de Sarah, une héroïne pleine de sentiments (qu’ils soient bénéfiques ou néfastes), courageuse mais tellement faible aussi, j’en aurai appris plus tout en me laissant transporter par ce récit qui aura été presque addictif. Très accessible, avec une plume agréable et surprenante, c’est une mise en lumière que je recommande /à tous, que vous ayez lu la Bible ou non !
Ce sera un 18/20 pour moi et j’ai hâte de me plonger dans la suite !"
Chronique entière ici :
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