Helpful Score: 3
I loved it, this is the second out of three in this series and I truly enjoyed it. I can't wait for the third to get here and then he has a new set that is due out and it will be interesting to see how those go. Looking forward to them all..keep them coming along this line Mr. Card!!
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of Card's "Women of Genesis" series, his historical novels about Biblical figures. It's not at all bad, but I wouldn't say it was Card's greatest work. These books were primarily written to illustrate Card's religious faith, but they do a good job of creating characters that bridge the gap between being historically believable and contemporarily accessible.
Interestingly, in the book the "birthright" of Abraham is not just a collection of blessings (as I have always read it) but the actual physical guardianship of holy, Biblical writings. Card works in a lot about the right to literacy. (Against Abraham and Isaac's will, Rebekah is literate and wishes to read the holy writings).
She's portrayed as a both strong and strong-willed woman, able to competently manage people, but also rigid and intolerant, with an unbending opinion of what she thinks is right, especially in religious matters. She doesn't hesitate to even criticize the patriarch in religious and family matters, and has no sympathy for religious practices other than her own. Card, disturbingly, but not surprisingly, seems to think her intolerance is pretty much a good thing, seeing as, of course, in his opinion, she is Right and the worshipers of Asherah and Baal are Wrong. I don't see things that way (and I totally disagree with the whole Importance of Raising Your Children in the True Faith theme which is a big part of Rebekah's life), so it made his Rebekah a very unsympathetic character to me.
Card's very idealized view of How Families Ought To Be is also a big part of the book, and there's a lot of a message that conflicts between people in families are often based on simple misunderstandings and everyone would get along if they just put more effort into understanding each other. That would be nice - but it's often also not true.
Finally, one hard-to-avoid weakness of the book is that, in this story, the conflict between Rebekah's sons, Jacob and Esau, and Jacob's 'theft' of the firstborn Esau's birthright is originally the main focus and most interesting part of the story. Concentrating on Rebekah as protagonist in this part of the book makes it slightly awkward, when the main drama is happening between other characters.
Interestingly, in the book the "birthright" of Abraham is not just a collection of blessings (as I have always read it) but the actual physical guardianship of holy, Biblical writings. Card works in a lot about the right to literacy. (Against Abraham and Isaac's will, Rebekah is literate and wishes to read the holy writings).
She's portrayed as a both strong and strong-willed woman, able to competently manage people, but also rigid and intolerant, with an unbending opinion of what she thinks is right, especially in religious matters. She doesn't hesitate to even criticize the patriarch in religious and family matters, and has no sympathy for religious practices other than her own. Card, disturbingly, but not surprisingly, seems to think her intolerance is pretty much a good thing, seeing as, of course, in his opinion, she is Right and the worshipers of Asherah and Baal are Wrong. I don't see things that way (and I totally disagree with the whole Importance of Raising Your Children in the True Faith theme which is a big part of Rebekah's life), so it made his Rebekah a very unsympathetic character to me.
Card's very idealized view of How Families Ought To Be is also a big part of the book, and there's a lot of a message that conflicts between people in families are often based on simple misunderstandings and everyone would get along if they just put more effort into understanding each other. That would be nice - but it's often also not true.
Finally, one hard-to-avoid weakness of the book is that, in this story, the conflict between Rebekah's sons, Jacob and Esau, and Jacob's 'theft' of the firstborn Esau's birthright is originally the main focus and most interesting part of the story. Concentrating on Rebekah as protagonist in this part of the book makes it slightly awkward, when the main drama is happening between other characters.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful novel by Orson Scott Card that gives an idea of what Rebekah's life was like through her eyes. Very well written and interesting.
Orson Scott Card knows how to write!
I truly enjoyed this book it was outstanding!
great book very intresting read the whole book in one night
Card makes these characters come to life, while being completely true to the scriptural accounts. I loved this series.
Very good book a dense read but you hardly notice it as you go through it. It's only after you stop that you realize how much information you are getting. Should become a classic in no time at all.
Interesting story that fleshes out the biblical story about Isaac's two sons. First half of the book develops Rebekah and explains why she accepts a proposal from Isaac's servant. The second half of the book gives depth to the bibilical story of Isaac's sons. I enjoyed the story and found it seemed accurate in historical and cultural reasoning.
A departure from Orson Scott Card's usual science fiction but I really enjoyed all three of the Women of Genesis series. I felt I learned something about biblical history and was entertained. I wish he would write some more of these.
I went into this book not knowing anything about this author or his style, but can say now that I will definitely be seeking out the rest of the books in this series. He does a good job of making the people in the book individual and real. The story is nicely fleshed out and it is obvious that he has done some research on the era he is writing about. Excellent story, highly recommend.
This is a great read. The author readlly develops the characters well.
Well done, very interesting reading, and it goes quickly as well!
very good book - makes you feel like you really know Rebekah and the family dynamics behind the story, really brings it to life
I have read bad reviews of this book, Rebekah but it was one of my favorites. I felt like I really knew the character of Rebekah. I could not put it down and read it pretty quickly.
great reminiscent read~
All of Card's Women of Genesis books have been fantastic, and this one is great too! You really get into the story!
I enjoy these books as they bring biblical times to life and it's fun to imagine the narration since so little is spoken of Rebekah in the bible. It also helps me remember the story - for example, when a book I was reading said there was one example where a woman's meddling became her downfall I immediately thought of Rebekah and her meddling with God's promise for Jacob.
enjoyed it
This bibical novel tells the story of Rebekah.
just okay for me.
Retelling of the story of the biblical Rebekah, wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob.
