For those who have followed Francine Rivers for awhile, let me quickly disappoint/inform you that A Lineage of Grace is not a new novel by the famed authoress, but rather it is the complete collection of the series of novellas by the same name. Tyndale recently released this collection of five stories, previously published as individual titles, into one convenient volume. Having never previously read any of the novellas from the Lineage of Grace series, I was delighted to find all five works in one book and I found it helpful to follow the historical time line of the books by having them grouped together. (Thank you, Tyndale, for your thoughtfulness in re-releasing this series into this format!)
If you follow me at Reading to Know, you’ll know that I have only recently begun reading books by Francine Rivers, being of the rather strong opinion that Christian fiction writers frequently lack the polish I would typically like to see from any author of any book that I would chose to read. It is a harsh opinion, I do realize, and entirely my own. I have a hard time picking up Christian fiction but Francine Rivers is doing a great deal to turn the tide for me in this regard. I just recently read Redeeming Love for the first time (click on the title to read my review) and absolutely loved it. One of the concerns I had about it, which I stated in my review of the book, is that we might be getting ourselves in a heap of trouble by adding details to scripture and presenting scripture in the context of a piece of fiction. I’m still not quite sure what to think of that but after writing my review of Redeeming Love I immediately launched into reading A Lineage of Grace.
If you are unfamiliar with A Lineage of Grace, it is Rivers’ interpretation and story telling of five women mentioned in scripture as being in the lineage of Jesus Christ. She tells the stories of Tamar (“a woman of hope”), Rahab (“a woman of faith”), Ruth (“a woman of love”), Bathsheba (“a woman who received unlimited grace”) and Mary (“a woman of obedience”). Rivers embellishes the tales of these women to paint a fuller picture of their life experiences, based on historical details and information of the times in which they lived and based on what we are told of these women in scriptures. She does fudge the facts. I still question that. At the same time, I have to say about A Lineage of Grace that it is moving, convicting, enlightening and life changing. At the end of each woman’s life story, there is a small devotional/discussion guide for the reader or group of readers involved in this story.
I never quite understood the historical time line that these women fit into, and how their life circumstances made them remarkable choices for God to use to bring His Son into the world. I never quite grasped their sacrifices which they made as acts of devotion to a God they loved and believed in. Rivers expanded my understanding of a woman’s feelings in facing the deaths of relatives, infertility, virginity, life in a king’s harem, and mockery when they stood for and believed in something that no one else thought possible. I admired Tamar for the first time. I sympathized with Bathsheba for the first time. I cried with Mary at the cross for the first time.
Again, still being in the early stages of Francine Rivers books, I am impressed. And overwhelmed. Again I have to say that she is a master story teller and again I have to say that I am anxious to read more of her books and her work. She brings history and the Bible to life. I still question all the effects that some of her writing can and will have on future generations of Christian readers but I can say for myself that reading her is profitable for me.
I very much enjoyed A Lineage of Grace as it provided continued food for thought regarding a particular genre of writing and because it stretched my faith in new – and beautiful – ways. For that I am grateful and I’m happy recommending this title to you.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
Krista says
I have the first one in this series and really enjoyed it. I like Francine Rivers a lot and Redeeming Love is one of my favorites. If you like that kind of story you might also like Journey to the Well by Diana Wallis Taylor. It’s the story of the Samaritan woman that Jesus meets at the well. Who knows what her real background was, but it was a fascinating read and really brought the era to life!
My other favorite book by Francine Rivers was The Atonement Child. It’s contemporary and I haven’t read it in quite a while, but I still remember it. That says a lot for me since I read so many books!
Oh, and one more. If you haven’t read Hadassah by Tommy Tenney (it’s the book about Esther that the movie One Night with the King was based off) I recommend it. Especially to read the sequel The Hadassah Covenant!
Katy says
I put this on my wishlist a few weeks ago. It sounds fascinating and Francine Rivers is (from what I’ve heard) one of the best.
Lauren says
Carrie, I share your opinion that we need to be very careful with fictional retellings of Biblical stories, but I did really enjoy these accounts. One of the things I appreciated was how they helped me to better understand the historical context of each woman. I also like that after reading each one, I wanted to scour the Biblical text to remind myself of the known details vs. the fictionalized ones, and a careful reading of the Bible is always a good thing!
Carrie, Reading to Know says
Lauren – Yes, I agree with you that THAT is the good thing about them. They send you back to scriptures. And if I thought that they had the same effect on everyone, I would remove whatever question mark I had. But because we’re all humans and, by nature, kinda lazy (well, at least *I* am), my concern rests in knowing that not everyone WILL look up scripture. It’s the historical legacy these books will leave, I guess. And for all I know – it will be bright and glorious!
To be fair, this book does include follow-up study questions, urging the reader to know the facts of the matter.
Anyway, I see what you are saying and I agree with you also. That method is definitely best.
Krista – I did read Journey to the Well after Melissa reviewed it here at 5M4B. I did like it and stand beside Melissa in recommending it!
Here’s Melissa’s review for those curious (the one that piqued my interest!):
http://books.5minutesformom.com/1411/journey-to-the-well/
And here’s mine:
http://www.readingtoknow.com/2009/09/journey-to-well.html
Amy says
I didn’t know that these fantastic little books had been re-released in one volume! Thanks for the heads-up! 🙂
Like you, Carrie, I actually LIKED several of the characters (or maybe actually understood them is a better term) for the first time after reading some of these books.
Francine Rivers has my utmost respect and admiration!
Judy says
Thanks for the review. I’m glad to learn that this is a compilation of previous books so I won’t go get it. I thought it was brand new. I really like Francine Rivers. Doesn’t she have a new novel coming out soon? Or am I thinking of this one?
Carrie says
Judy – Rivers does indeed have a new novel coming out!
It’s called Her Mother’s Hope and is due out March 16th. Lisa will be reviewing it for us here at 5M4B so keep an eye out for that if you are curious!
Judy says
OK, great! Thanks for letting me know!
Judy says
Have any of you read Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion trilogy? Now THOSE are my favorites!
Carrie says
Nope, haven’t yet. I JUST got into Rivers. I did go out and buy a copy of “And The Shofar Blew after being “hassled” into it. Mark of the Lion is something I’m highly interested in as well. Haven’t made it that far yet but it does seem to be a popular choice amongst Rivers fans so I suspect I’d best read it!
edj says
I started the one about Tamar while living in a Saharan society that was very similar to life in ancient Palestine, and she lost me right away when she had Tamar not wanting to get married at 14. Wrong! Modern American girls don’t want to get married at 14. I bet Tamar was more than willing.
However, I did read the Rahab one first and quite enjoyed it.
I think Rivers is one of the best Ch fiction writers out there, but she is still too sentimental for me, plus she puts TOO MUCH into her books, if that makes sense. I think once you read the Mark of the Lion books you’ll see what I mean. However Mark of the Lion had some good stuff in it. It’s worth reading once.
PS Why have I read so many if I’m not a big fan? The afore-mentioned life in the Sahara–I was pretty desperate for reading material. I even read Frank Peretti and John Grisham and that woman who writes the same book every time…the one about the orphans who form a family and they all go into firefighting or police work…???
Carrie, Reading to Know says
Dee Henderson. =)
vicki says
I love Francine Rivers, I just finished Her Daughter’s Dream or course I read Her Mother’s Hope, fabulous – loved them.
I read the linage of Grace and really enjoyed them. I am having a little more trouble reading the Priest. It doesn’t seem to hold my interest as much.
I was never a reader until I became a born again Christian and read the Bible for the first time. Then my sister gave me Redeeming Love and I was instantly hooked on Francine.
I am also looking for similar authors; my local library told me to read Tracie Patterson but just couldn’t get into it.
I appreciate some of the suggestions here.
Thanks.
Carrie, Reading to Know says
Hi Vicki –
Well, two in particular that I would recommend (and I’m pretty picky about my Christian fiction) would be:
Refuge on Crescent Hill, by Melanie Dobson:
http://www.readingtoknow.com/2010/06/refuge-on-crescent-hill-by-melanie.html
Or
The Miracle of Mercy Land, by River Jordan:
http://www.readingtoknow.com/2010/09/miracle-of-mercy-land-by-river-jordan.html
In my opinion, both of those authors know how to tell a more complex and interesting story.
Hope this helps a little!