For being such a nonbelieving atheist-pants, I can get into a Biblical yarn like nobody's business. Whether you believe the tales in the Bible hold any shred of truth or are pure imagination, there's no denying that they have had a mighty influence on Western culture, and I am nothing if not a product of my awesome, cheeseburger-eating, fossil-fuel-burning, Bible-thumping culture. Even if I am a godless heathen.Being that I am a) a big fan of Biblical fiction and b) objective enough about the Bible to take it as fair game for fictionalizing to the content of any author's heart, I feel I am an especially credible reviewer of such novels. I will take no offense at, say, scenes of Jacob-turned-Israel fondling his nether shepherd's staff, as happens in Anita Diamant's masterful Bible-based novel The Red Tent. Depictions of Biblical characters as real, fallible human beings faze me not one tiny iota, and I am far more concerned with an author's craft -- narrative, prose, character, dialogue, plot -- than with adherence to the Biblical source. Therefore, if The Lavender gives a Biblical novel a five-star review, you can be assured that you will find between its covers a genuinely enjoyable reading experience, judged in terms of readability and craft, and not merely a kowtow to the Book of Genesis.That disclaimer aside, Card has done a remarkably good job of rendering the actual content in the Abraham/Sarah/Lot/Lot's Wife segment of Genesis into a very enjoyable historical novel. Par for the Card course (if you don't count his most recent books, anyway), the characterization is expertly crafted. The dialogue flows splendidly. And the plot never drags. This book should appeal to both the godless heathens who are just after an engaging ancient-history yarn and the fans of the Bible who want to see a faithful (pardon the pun) adaptation.Card does depart from Biblical record in one relatively minor way: SPOILER ALERT: Lot's wife, the eminently smack-able Qira, is destroyed in what appears to be an asteroid strike/fireballs from heaven when she turns back for Sodom, rather than being turned into the familiar pillar of salt. However, I actually liked that Card chose to use a more plausible means of ridding the world of Qira, and his explanation of how he came to that decision in the author's afterword is quite satisfying.Also satisfying to this non-believer is the way the Noah story is given roots in the Utnapishtim tale from the Epic of Gilgamesh, making Card's Sarah feel thoroughly based in the real world, where real cultures interact and influence one another, rather than a purely fantasy world where everything is exactly as it's depicted in the Bible. The Noah bit is more of a brief sideline, though, and it, too, should not be a big deterrent to readers who prefer their Bible fiction to be extra-Bibley.From a historical perspective, although I lack a great knowledge of ancient Hebrew herder culture, I am fairly well-versed in ancient Egyptian culture, and I was well pleased with the section of the novel spent in Pharaoh's Egypt. Card clearly did his book-learning and depicted Dynastic Egyptian culture -- and its contrast to herder Sarai's more conservative culture -- well.The characters are very well-drawn in this book, and the relationship between Sarai and Abram is wonderfully sweet and touching, particularly as they grow older. The decision to end the book at the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers was a good one -- it leaves the reader to imagine for herself how Sarah might have reacted to Abraham's return from his little father-son jaunt, especially if the convenient ram in the thicket hadn't shown up. Sarah's internal monologue of love and gratitude as she watches her husband and only child depart for their fateful journey is so much more poignant because Card deftly leaves the reader hanging on Sarah's plucked heartstring, picturing her heartbreak, her rage, or her joy and devotion when the whole morally questionable episode is concluded.All in all, this is a fun historical read with some images that will stick with the reader long after she's closed the book. I recommend it.
"She did not know what the future would bring, but because she was married to Abram, she knew that her life would matter, that the world would change and she would be a part of it."I don't think I would have ever read this book if it hadn't been a book club pick, and I am so glad that it was because I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was absolutely perfect and capture Sarah's voice so well. She really brought this book to life for me and made it a memorable experience.I loved how Sarah and Abraham took on a new life and were not what I was expecting from the bible account. This managed to be inspiring and thoughtful without being overly religious or preachy. Card managed to make me think of Sarah and Abraham in a whole new light. I am a religious person so I'm familiar with their story yet I was surprised by how Card managed to interpret it in a different way. He mentions in the afterward his research, and I have no doubt that he captured what life was like for Sarah. I know this is fiction and what was portrayed in the book is probably not exactly what happened, but what I did appreciate was being forced to see the prophet and his wife as real people. They had faults and doubts, made mistakes and life was hard. Sarah's struggles were especially moving as was her relationship with Abraham. I like to think they did in fact share a great love like Card showed in this book.This book really impressed me and made me think about a lot of things in my own life. I'm equally impressed with Card for being able to write such a different book from his most well-known book, Ender's Game. I wasn't expecting the amount of depth he managed to give Sarah, and was surprised that her emotions and fears were so genuine. Just a really great book overall.
What do You think about Sarah (2001)?
I enjoyed reading this depiction of Abraham and Sarah. It is fun to get some perspective on what life might have been like for them. I was surprised at the sensitivity shown for Sarah in this fictional account and the understanding the author had of what she must have felt when she was unable to conceive. Not to sound sexist, but most men don't understand the many different emotions and feelings that this trial causes in women and how utterly broken they often feel. I also loved how Sarah had great faith and strength, but still had doubts and fears. So easy to relate to her in this story.
—Debbie Means
I have been a fan of Orson Scott Card since his Ender Game series. If you're expecting the thrill of his sci-fi/fantasy genre, this is not the same Orson Scott Card. However, I enjoyed it all the same.Card wrote a series of novels focusing on the matriarchs of Genesis. This is his first in the series about Abraham's wife, Sarah. I love thinking about ancient people in context, so it is interesting to envision a real woman in a possible albeit fictional backdrop. Card develops a satisfying story from a limited amount of Biblical text. He for sure takes certain fictional liberties, but he frames it in a realistic foundation. He creates interesting and flawed characters, including a look at Lot and his infamous wife. (As it turns out, from the author's views, Lot's wife's true cardinal sin was shrewishness.) Sarah--for me--was a little bit too perfect and always right. That aside, I enjoyed the progress from a young and sober girl to a revered and honored old woman. I will certainly seek out "Rebecca," the next in this series.
—Camzcam
Realizing Card had to use all kinds of literary license to create the details in this book, I'm finding I'm eager to daily turn to Genesis or the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price to read and compare the details the scriptures give. I suppose that's why I love historical fiction so much. It never fails to drive me to study other sources. What a great way to study history. I like the wise and noble characters Card rightly-so painted Sarah and Abraham to be. They're two people from history who deserve to be known.Card's a good writer. I like the fact that he handled very discreetly, issues in this story other authors might handle very indiscreetly. He hasn't always been known to do that and that's why I've avoided some of his books.
—Linda
