I have recently picked up this book again for about my fourth time in four years. Now, this is the kind of book where you only read it once in a while, for fear of killing it's excellence, and losing touch with all the little nuances it contains.
For me, it is a happy book. This is slightly ironic, for there are times in this book when I want to scream at the characters, and hate them, and hurt them. . . but love them. That's great writing. This is the kind of writer I hope to be. One who uses words and pictures so fantastically to create a world, and characters, that people will actually hate some, or Love some. Those are Great Characters.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is the kind of book every Christian should read, for though some may argue that it's a "chick" book, it really is not. It is based off of the Biblical book of Hosea. Micheal Hosea is one of the greatest Christian Men I've ever met. He realizes he's weak, and is human, but he turns to God. There are times when he could take the easy way out, and do what the world is telling him to, but he doesn't (most of the time). He personifies the kind of man I hope one day I may have.
Angel. . .Poor, broken Angel. Tirzah (Micheal's name for when he desires her), Mara (When Micheal brings her home, full of bitterness), Amanda. . . .his softened name for her after he starts to bring down the walls of hurt and get to her inner core, to help her with her Demons, and finally, Sarah. The person inside, hiding the one thing she has left, her own Name. This is the most fitting (which you'll learn once you've read it).
I must implore you though, Don't skip the Prologue (as I have known some to do), it's the history you must know about Angel, you must understand.
Until Next time, my friends.
~ Eden Swift
