Sarah by Orson Scott Card (2001, Paperback)

I bought this book because it was the book that had been chosen for the book club to which I belong. I really enjoyed it. It was a fast, easy read and the author accomplished just what he intended-- he gave me a new perspective of the women, specifically Sarah, of the bible and caused me to think about them as the real people that they were. This book also gave me a renewed desire to reread much of the Old Testament.

Orson Scott Card is my favorite author and I bought the Women in Genesis series to help complete my collection. I have a religious background and that helped me to embrace and understand this book better. I think that those who know Orson through his fantasy or science fiction might not enjoy that the book focuses more on character interaction than it does on cliff-hanger events but, for me, that was the part I enjoyed the most. Sarah's (Sarai) sister and Hagar were classic Orson foils...scheming and manipulative, sometimes blind to their own twisted view of those around them. They reminded me of Calvin from The Tales of Alvin Maker and Mamie from Lovelock.
I do need to remind myself though that it is a work of fiction and that the life of the real Sarah likely played out a bit differently but Orson is quick to acknowledge that himself. I'm glad I made it a part of my collection.

Orson Scott Card wrote a trilogy on the first women in the Bible. This was the first. I have bought the others also and continue to search for others in this genre. He brought Sarah to life for me and tells the fictitious story based on fact, in a way that I understand how she could have made the decisions she made. His writings stay the closest to the Bible itself and I appreciate that. I have given this book to 3 other people and Very Highly recommend it to anyone. It truly opens your eyes to the times and possibilities of the situation.

I was told that I would enjoy the book. And I did.I don't know what else to
say. Great book. Would read this Card others books.