Helpful Score: 3
I was taken aback when I began reading this book, as I was under the impression that the story would be told from Eve's perspective.
The book is separated into chapters that follow the viewpoints of Eve and her daughters, but never Adam or her sons (Cain, Abel and her youngest son, twin of Dara).
Eve, Naava, Aya and Dara all have their own chapters and tell the story of their family's beginnings in their own words.
Each of Eve's daughters is a creation of the author and not bibilically factual, but it's hard to imagine that Eve wouldn't have had daughters, even if their stories are not accounted for in the Bible as we know it.
This book is magical and I'm very glad I read it. The author has detailed notes at the back of the book that give her reasoning for taking the literary liscense that she did and they all make sense.
Great read and highly recommended.
The book is separated into chapters that follow the viewpoints of Eve and her daughters, but never Adam or her sons (Cain, Abel and her youngest son, twin of Dara).
Eve, Naava, Aya and Dara all have their own chapters and tell the story of their family's beginnings in their own words.
Each of Eve's daughters is a creation of the author and not bibilically factual, but it's hard to imagine that Eve wouldn't have had daughters, even if their stories are not accounted for in the Bible as we know it.
This book is magical and I'm very glad I read it. The author has detailed notes at the back of the book that give her reasoning for taking the literary liscense that she did and they all make sense.
Great read and highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 2
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Many people know the story the Bible tells of Adam and Eve: Adam was the first man, Eve was created from his rib, they were expelled from Eden for eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they had 2 sons (Cain & Abel) and Cain killed Abel. That is about where the Bibles version of this story ends. Elissa Elliott picks up where the story leaves off and creates a very detailed back story for these first people. She uses the story from the Bible as the backbone for her story about Eve.
This book is told from the viewpoints of Eve and her three daughters, Naava, Aya, and Dara (something never mentioned in the Bible). Each of their perspectives gives a unique look at the world around them. Naava is the eldest daughter who does everything to improve her own place in the world, sometimes creating problems for her family at the same time. Aya is the second oldest daughter and she has a deformity to her foot. Despite this condition she is a necessity to the family as she is the cook and the healer. Dara is the youngest, part of a set of twins, and she is used by the family as a go-between for the family and the newcomers. Eve is questioning if God exists because he hasnt come to them since they were expelled from Eden. These females tell the stories of the men in their lives as well. Cain, the eldest, has a temper and is questioning the presence of God. Abel, the second oldest, does anything to help his family and believes that he can hear the voice of God, which really upsets his older brother. Jacan, Daras twin, follows Abels lead and is learning the ways of tending to the herds and listening to God. Finally there is Adam. He is the strong, quiet presence always believing in the presence of God.
This book takes place at three different periods of time. Most of the story takes place in the months leading up to the death of Abel at the hands of Cain. During this time they meet the newcomers to the area and their presence and influence severely disrupts the pattern of the family. Through Eves retellings we learn of their life within the Garden of Eden, what led up to their expulsion from that Garden, and their travels to the place where they eventually settle down. The third period of time is very late in life right before Eves death. Naava has come back to see Eve before she dies.
I was very interested in reading this book because the early Bible stories are very interesting and create a great backbone for a novel. Elliott does an amazing job of weaving what is written in the Bible with her own story of the family. Her characters are very real and all of them have a distinct personality. As the story was coming to an end I realized that I didnt want it to end. I wanted to know more about this family and what would happen after Abels death. I found that during reading this book I would look things up in the Bible to get an idea of what the back story was. I learned a lot during this process. I now cant wait to read other books from this genre and cant wait to see what this author comes out with next.
5 out of 5 stars!!!
Many people know the story the Bible tells of Adam and Eve: Adam was the first man, Eve was created from his rib, they were expelled from Eden for eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they had 2 sons (Cain & Abel) and Cain killed Abel. That is about where the Bibles version of this story ends. Elissa Elliott picks up where the story leaves off and creates a very detailed back story for these first people. She uses the story from the Bible as the backbone for her story about Eve.
This book is told from the viewpoints of Eve and her three daughters, Naava, Aya, and Dara (something never mentioned in the Bible). Each of their perspectives gives a unique look at the world around them. Naava is the eldest daughter who does everything to improve her own place in the world, sometimes creating problems for her family at the same time. Aya is the second oldest daughter and she has a deformity to her foot. Despite this condition she is a necessity to the family as she is the cook and the healer. Dara is the youngest, part of a set of twins, and she is used by the family as a go-between for the family and the newcomers. Eve is questioning if God exists because he hasnt come to them since they were expelled from Eden. These females tell the stories of the men in their lives as well. Cain, the eldest, has a temper and is questioning the presence of God. Abel, the second oldest, does anything to help his family and believes that he can hear the voice of God, which really upsets his older brother. Jacan, Daras twin, follows Abels lead and is learning the ways of tending to the herds and listening to God. Finally there is Adam. He is the strong, quiet presence always believing in the presence of God.
This book takes place at three different periods of time. Most of the story takes place in the months leading up to the death of Abel at the hands of Cain. During this time they meet the newcomers to the area and their presence and influence severely disrupts the pattern of the family. Through Eves retellings we learn of their life within the Garden of Eden, what led up to their expulsion from that Garden, and their travels to the place where they eventually settle down. The third period of time is very late in life right before Eves death. Naava has come back to see Eve before she dies.
I was very interested in reading this book because the early Bible stories are very interesting and create a great backbone for a novel. Elliott does an amazing job of weaving what is written in the Bible with her own story of the family. Her characters are very real and all of them have a distinct personality. As the story was coming to an end I realized that I didnt want it to end. I wanted to know more about this family and what would happen after Abels death. I found that during reading this book I would look things up in the Bible to get an idea of what the back story was. I learned a lot during this process. I now cant wait to read other books from this genre and cant wait to see what this author comes out with next.
5 out of 5 stars!!!
