Hm.

I had a really difficult time with this book. When I first read it, I was in love with it. However, my opinion has since changed. I can understand why this book has continued to be so popular. Many people who love this book often express their appreciation for the fact that Rivers is not afraid to address such heavy topics. But after reading it a second time, I began to question if most of the content in this book is truly necessary for telling the story. It's actually a very depressing book, filled with descriptions of child abuse, rape, prostitution, human trafficking, violence, sexual intimacy, and more. While I wouldn't say that all of the descriptions are overly graphic, they are all extremely painful to read and leave little to the imagination.

One of my major issues with this book is that most of the content seems to be there simply for shock value rather than for any other purpose. I understand that there are harsh realities in life and that this book can start conversations and promote compassion for those in a similar situation to Angel's. But I don't need such detailed descriptions of deeply traumatic experiences to feel sympathy for her. Because of how much Rivers made Angel endure, her trauma almost feels romanticized, and the story of redemption is overshadowed by the intensity of her suffering. Additionally, I find it absolutely repulsive that the terror of a young girl being forced into prostitution was written in a Christian fiction book as entertainment.

Since this book is advertised as an allegory to Hosea, I really struggled with the theological aspects of it, mainly due to the romantic element of the story. The allegory in this book is not only extremely flawed but also very far removed from the actual prophetic biblical story. Whether it was intentional or not, Michael is often compared to God, just as the readers are supposed to see themselves as Angel. While it is true that God loves us and is constantly pursuing us, comparing Him to Michael romanticizes God into someone He isn't. Michael is a flawed romantic "hero" who, to be honest, I find quite unlikeable. Any comparison between him and our perfect, holy God is very concerning to me.

Even if you take the allegory out of the romance, the romance itself is still not the best. The fact that Michael marries Angel when she's barely conscious to "rescue" her is highly questionable. Then, he calls her names that she repeatedly asks him not to, focuses way too much on her physical beauty, and becomes intimate with her far too soon. I find his compassion for her lacking, and he often tells her that she needs to obey him. Is he the worst guy I've ever read about? No. But he's definitely not on my list of favorite book heroes.

I'm glad that many people have found this book to be a blessing. I can definitely see its appeal and why it has remained so popular. But for me, it's just too much. The reality of life on earth is that it is filled with sorrow and hardship, and many readers want books that reflect this reality. Although my book preferences tend to lean more towards the wholesome side, I'm not opposed to "realistic" content. My concern with Redeeming Love is that in the attempt to write a book about the gritty side of life, there is content in this book that Christians should be cautious about consuming. Because of this and how uncomfortable I felt while reading it, I can no longer recommend this book.

I am no longer a supporter of this book.

It truly angers me how the main female protagonist is constantly talked down to and slut-shamed by her own husband. It's not just a one-time thing; it seems to be a recurring theme throughout the story.

I am a Christian, but that doesn't mean I should blindly endorse every book that claims to have a Christian message. I have my own standards and values, and this book fails to meet them. I'm tired of being pressured to support something that I don't believe in.

P.S. I fully expect to receive hate comments for expressing my honest opinion, but that won't stop me from speaking my mind.

A classic story with a romantic plot that may not be real in our current time... The translation really impressed me...

Although it has a large volume, it is a beautiful story... It's like you're looking at an old movie and you know what's going to happen but you're still enjoying it at the same time...

I mean, I felt it was suitable for the melancholy atmosphere of these days... A story that calls for love, hope, and the belief that tomorrow will be better despite all the difficult things we face in our lives...

I recently watched the movie adaptation of a book I had read, and I have to say, Michael was just as perfect as he was in the book. Ughh! The movie was actually quite true to the book, although of course, not everything could be included. Still, the book was better in my opinion. And I still don't like Paul!

This book is in a complete mess. It truly saddens me to witness all those who label it as a beautiful romance. I myself read this book at the tender age of 15 and, like many others, initially thought it was beautiful and romantic.

Thankfully, by the Grace of God, I no longer hold that belief. I can now clearly see that this book is not a romance at all. Instead, it is a horror story.

This book is incredibly harmful because it is written by a Christian author and presented as a depiction of love, both between people and with God. It is intended to evoke an emotional response regarding how love is supposed to be, as per the Bible.

There are numerous issues within this book, but I would like to focus on the two main ones. (Note: the rest of this review contains discussions of sexual violence.)

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1. The relationship between Michael Hosea and Angel, the main characters, is abusive. And this is not open to interpretation. Michael Hosea abuses Angel physically, emotionally, spiritually, and sexually, yet the story refers to it as love.

Most of what Angel says in the book is "no". However, Michael doesn't listen. She expresses her reluctance to go with him or marry him and attempts to escape from him multiple times. He insists that he knows best and closes off all options for her until she ceases to fight him. On several occasions, the text states that Angel is afraid of his anger and, in those situations, complies with his wishes.

There are multiple instances where Michael rapes Angel. Rivers seems to believe that a physiological response to sexual stimulation equates to consent. This is completely incorrect, but the "romance" of the story hinges on a "well see you really do want this" argument.

We know that Angel has endured a lifetime of abuse. Those who have suffered such trauma learn to make do and convince themselves that things are okay. Angel's "love" for Michael is merely a coping mechanism.

Later in the book, Angel begins to question whether Michael is right and if she truly wants him after all. She starts to doubt her feelings and reality because every time she converses with Michael, he tells her how right he is and that she just doesn't realize it yet. This is known as gaslighting. Within sentences of describing Angel as "miserable" at Michael's advances, she is wondering if she should give in and agree. This does not in any way signify a genuine change of heart.

Michael holds all the power in this situation. Angel does not truly have a choice until after her conversion. At one point, Michael even acknowledges that he has power but claims it's "not a power I'm going to use against you". This is said while Angel is literally tripping over barrels and boots to back away from him.

(As a side note: the disrespect of boundaries and the word "no" is not limited to men ignoring women. Later in the book, Miriam (16yo) refuses to accept Paul's (~27yo) "no" about marrying her to the extent that she shows up naked, ignores at least a dozen "no"s, and seduces him (in the manner of biblical Ruth). Their erotica is fully depicted in the text, and the narrative supports her actions, despite the fact that she is a) a literal child and b) Paul giving in to her advances is creepy even if she initiated it.)

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2. The book justifies framing this abuse as love because a) God told Michael to do it and b) Angel was a sinner, so she "deserved it".

Throughout the book, Michael hears God's voice. It is God who instructs Michael to pursue Angel and to continue after her. This constant communication with God throughout the book eliminates any ambiguity about who the hero of this story is. A Christian reader is deterred from questioning Michael's decisions because doing so feels like questioning God's authority. Of course, God's voice in this book is actually River's voice, but the narration is very focused on the characters and creates an emotional bond with the reader. This bond makes it seem as if God is speaking through Rivers in this book.

The second time Michael kidnaps Angel from Pair-a-Dice, although Angel is initially relieved to see him, within sentences, she repeatedly states that she is scared of him. When she asks him to stop and let her go, he yells and threatens her. Rivers presents his anger as "justified" because of her sin. Since Angel has relapsed into sin, the reader is led to believe that Michael is being gracious. In short, Angel's sin nullifies her agency. Michael can do whatever he wants and does not have to listen to a sinner.

An actual quote: "His rage scared him. If he had hit her back once, he would have killed her." This line is presented as if Michael is such a good person for not murdering Angel. The source of his anger is her return to sin. Because the anger is related to sin, it is considered justified. Let me emphasize: barely refraining from murdering your wife out of rage is a you problem, not a her problem, regardless of the circumstances.

Similarly, when Angel is coerced into sex by Paul (Michael's brother), the narrative adopts the attitude that it is not possible to rape a prostitute because she wouldn't be a prostitute if she didn't want sex. This is simply wrong. Consenting to sex with more than one person (even if Angel did consent) is not a carte blanche. A person's past decisions do not equate to consent. Paul rapes Angel. And for the remainder of the book, Rivers ignores this, even blaming Angel for the incident and stating that it was her sin.

Some people have argued that getting Angel out of the brothel was necessary for her safety, so Michael was acting in her best interests. Firstly, Michael did not have to marry her in order to rescue her, nor did he have to keep her with him. He could have saved her, assisted with her injuries, and then let her go. Angel even wishes that he had done just that. And it's not as if Angel couldn't survive on her own - we see her flourishing in San Francisco before Michael arrives to drag her away again. And again, we see her thriving with the Axels later on, and then when she is running her own boarding house for victims of sexual abuse, it becomes evident that she can definitely survive.

Even so, Michael's "rescue" disregards Angel's agency. It implies that because she is sinning, it doesn't matter if she believes staying is the best option. Again, Michael could have let her go, so even in a life or death situation, he still violates her ability to choose her own life by marrying her and dragging her back to him every time she attempts to leave.

At the end, in Angel's conversion scene, her forced marriage is explicitly linked to accepting God. The idea that God pursues you until you have no choice but to give in is the essence of the romance. Without delving into the theology of that, the comparison also works the other way here. If it's acceptable for God to wear someone down until they are too broken to make any other choice, then it must be okay for Michael to do the same under God's guidance. Right?

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This review doesn't even touch on how this book sexualizes a 16yo girl (even if this book is set in the 1850s, there are present-day 16yo children reading this book who can easily identify with this character) and gratuitously describes the sexual abuse Angel endured as a child (which crosses the line from storytelling into sensational, eroticized violence). There is so much more I could say about this book, but for the sake of brevity, these are the most crucial aspects to address.

Whether Redeeming Love is a faithful retelling of the book of Hosea or not, this book is damaging. It is marketed to a demographic of young, sheltered women as a theologically-sound, mature romance. I first read it as part of that audience. While there were other factors involved, this book blurred the line for me between abuse and romance.

The main message conveyed by this book is that, for sinners, "no" means "not yet" and consent is unnecessary. It suggests that sinners have no agency that should be respected by a true Believer.

It is books like this that make it so much more difficult for a young girl to set boundaries and contribute to healthy relationships. Because, in the end, Angel's role is not so different from Elizabeth's or Miriam's. What distinguishes them is their choices - Angel resists, and that leads to her suffering. Redeeming Love teaches that men like Michael and Paul are godly and that a good Christian woman should be obedient and adoring of these men.

(And it is books like this that reinforce the idea that Christians don't need to respect the boundaries, wants, or beliefs of non-Christians. It emotionally solidifies aggressive evangelism, religion-based legislation, and superiority in inter-faith discussions. Redeeming Love contributes not only to problems with consent in regard to sex but also to consent in all forms.)

Friends in Christ, we need to do better.

" There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galations 3:28)

As Christians, we are not ultimately defined by femininity or masculinity, nor even by our sexual history. Rivers concludes her book when Angel, who has finally been molded and forced into Michael's ideal for her, accepts her role as a wife and mother. As a reward for her submission, she is given a child - the one thing Michael has always desired.

5+++ Stars

This is an absolutely amazing and unforgettable love story that has truly touched my heart in the deepest way. I find myself at a loss for words when it comes to writing a review that can do this book justice. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone.

Angel's life took a tragic turn at a very young age. At just eight years old, she was sold to a man who not only raped her but also forced her into a life of prostitution. Now, as a young and beautiful woman, she is filled with bitterness and has almost no sense of self-worth. There is no glimmer of hope left in her soul. Her story is heart-wrenching, bleak, and her despair is palpable. I couldn't help but shed buckets of tears while reading about her.

Enter Michael, a handsome and young farmer with a profound faith in God. He offers Angel a new lease on life. He wants to marry her, cherish her, and show her the true meaning of love. Despite knowing her sordid past, he is not deterred in the slightest. His love, compassion, and tenderness are truly remarkable to witness.

This is an intense and emotional story of faith, hope, and unconditional love. The author's incredible talent shines through on every page, keeping you completely captivated from start to finish.

What makes this book even more special is that it retells the story of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible, but it is not at all preachy. It is, without a doubt, one of the best love stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Love is not enough. Even though I am sufficient for my mother, yet I have not been sufficient for her, and I will not be sufficient for you either.

You will not be sufficient for me, and I will not be sufficient for you, Amanda. I don't want to be the center of your life. I want to be a part of it. I want to be your husband, not your god. Humans will not always be available for your good, no matter how much they desire it, and this includes me.

I chose this conversation between them to start my review because it summarizes the entire goal of the novel.

If it is permissible to use this word to express books, then I

devoured this novel in one sitting from midnight to nine in the morning.

I haven't read a romantic novel in a while because many writers have contributed to making it tawdry and insipid, especially Arab books.

And if by mere coincidence, when I returned from a wedding night unable to sleep, I found this gift, so I started reading it out of boredom to pass the time until my eyes dried, and then I immersed myself in it.

It is a love story between "Moms" and a peasant named "Nask" with a lot of sincere feelings, positive and spiritual signs, and the positive energy of love.

The novel, when you finish it, radiates love, joy, and love for others.

16/avril/18

Well, I truly have only myself to blame for this one.

Actually, it's not just me but also all those rave reviews on Goodreads that claimed this was such a moving and inspirational book. Now that I've finally finished it, I'm left completely baffled as to what exactly was supposed to inspire me about it. As a reader, I simply didn't like this book. And as a woman, I loathed it with a passion.

Maybe in some alternate reality, I could have overlooked the poor writing style, the one-dimensional characters, and their often irrational behavior. Perhaps, though I highly doubt it, I could even have gotten over the fact that God actually speaks in this book. But what I cannot and will not ever get over is the absolute crap that Angel was put through simply because she was a woman. The double standards for men and women is something that constantly pisses me off, and in this book, it almost made me want to burn the damn thing.

Why, you might ask? The part of the book that made me hate it the most is when Paul, Michael's brother-in-law, made Angel have sex with him as payment for letting her travel with him. I admit, I at least wanted Angel to argue with him, but still, he was a disgusting son of a bitch for even asking and then actually doing it. What a so-called decent human being who really thinks he has the moral high ground when it comes to prostitutes. I firmly believe that little sleazeball was just pissed that he was never a good enough client to even get to Angel. When I encounter prostitution like this in a book, I always feel sorry for the prostitute. And I especially felt bad for Angel. She was forced into it by a pedophile when she was only eight years old. For her, I had genuine sympathy, but for those men who came to her, I only had contempt. Paul - I despised that man with every fiber of my being. And if forcing Angel to have sex with him wasn't bad enough, when she ultimately came back to Michael, he still treated her as garbage. He showed his hatred towards her at every available opportunity. Hey, Paul, I've got news for you! You're garbage! You're despicable! If you think prostitutes are that filthy and unworthy, well, guess what, you went to them, so you're much, much worse!

And Michael was behaving as if nothing had happened. It was all forgiven. I don't know... I would have expected my loving, protective husband to kill the bastard, or at least beat the crap out of him and never speak to him again. But that's just me. Oh, and that's not all. Angel spent the whole time blaming herself, trying to redeem herself, and justifying Paul. In the end, she actually apologized to him. What the fuck was that all about?! I was reading it and couldn't believe my eyes. Is it okay to rape a prostitute? Is that the message here? Did she have it coming? Putting the blame on the victim is something I simply cannot stand. The way almost every man in Angel's life treated her, she should have shot them all.

I also hated the fact that Angel's past was presented as her sin. She was abused in every conceivable way for at least ten years. I know there weren't any psychologists around back then, but for God's sake, talk to her, help her, don't just ignore it and pretend it never happened. The victim of such abuse needs therapy, not forgiveness for something they were forced into.

In the long list of my problems with this book was also the part where Angel said the purpose of a woman's life is to bear children. Okay, having children if you want them is all well and good, but are we really implying that women who can't have children, or perhaps end up with men who can't, have meaningless lives?

And sure, even though Angel couldn't have children initially, she ended up having them because I guess God reversed whatever that "doctor" did to her to make sure she never got pregnant again.

I've mentioned at the beginning some of the other things that bothered me while reading. I just don't have the energy to go into them all, though they bothered me a great deal. But, never mind, I'm just glad I'm done with this book, and that now I know never ever to pick this type of book again.

Circa 1998, Christian me had a profound love for this book.

However, in 2018, Christian me views this book in a very troubling light, in a way that makes my stomach roll and my heart break.

I recently came across a statement by Joan Didion that perfectly encapsulates this shift in my perspective: “I have already lost touch with a couple people I used to be.”

This time around, I couldn't bring myself to finish the book. I understand that Rivers is attempting to depict God's unwavering pursuit of us, despite our continuous wandering. But all I could perceive was a blatant disrespect for Angel's personhood. How could he have the audacity to impose a name of his choosing on her? And the idea of "rescuing" her through a non-consensual marriage? The notion that she is the "sinner" in need of Hosea's redemptive forgiveness, when in fact she has been a victim of sex-trafficking? No, that just doesn't sit right with me. The metaphor simply failed to translate into a romantic male/female relationship that had even a hint of health or dignity.

Therefore, I would not recommend this book.

A sweeping tale of love and redemption;
Francine Rivers delivers once again. Her words have the power to transport readers into a world filled with complex emotions and unforgettable characters. In this story, we follow the journey of individuals who are broken and lost, but find hope and healing through the power of love. Rivers' writing is细腻 and engaging, drawing readers in from the very first page. She explores themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and the human capacity for change. As the story unfolds, we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, experiencing the joys and sorrows of the characters along the way. Whether you are a fan of romance or simply looking for a powerful and moving read, this book is sure to captivate you.

This is a Christian Inspirational Historical romance, a genre I seldom explore. Thanks to some passionate reviews, I decided to take a chance. I read the 1997 version available at Open Library and was touched by it, yet I couldn't fathom why I could sigh and exclaim "how romantic." Then, upon reading some of the reviews here, I discovered there's a 1991 version with more explicit and/or sensual love scenes between the two protagonists (in this version, it's all fade to black) and rougher language, etc.

Perhaps that's why I felt something was being held back in this version and why I couldn't wholeheartedly give it five stars - there was a lack of that certain something at truly emotional moments. I'm truly sorry that Francine Rivers felt the need to tone things down to reach a different market. (Can't we have explicit religion and explicit sex in the same book? It's part of the human condition.) However, I'm glad I read this story. Parts of it are sublime.

I can't recall where I read the definition of sublime that describes it as beauty so powerful it shatters our perception of reality, but that's the one I'll use here. This is the kind of sublime love - romantic and spiritual - that Francine Rivers is delving into in this story.

She based the story of Angel and Michael on an Old Testament tale about a man commanded by God to marry a prostitute. This marriage was tumultuous, with the new bride repeatedly returning to her former life and the husband constantly seeking her out and forgiving her. With such material, you're bound to have a thrilling, dramatic story.

Angel - Mara - Amanda - and finally Sarah (names hold significance in this story) is treated horribly (I almost had to stop after the chapter where she is sold into prostitution at age 8) and fails to understand the love or life Michael attempts to offer her. She runs away from him several times, yet he never stops loving her - even though he has to pray unceasingly to have the patience and wisdom to deal with her.

We're presented with multiple perspectives, so we have Michael's anguished prayers, Angel's anger, confusion, and hurt, and Paul's jealousy and self-righteousness. I really liked these imperfect Christians questioning everything and praying with a rawness that felt familiar to anyone who has endured a dark night of the soul. Sublime and greatly appreciated. There are no easy answers here, folks - just time (through the narrative) unfolding so that God's will shines through for the characters and the readers. Five stars for the religious content. I'm glad I read it on a Sunday - better than any sermon.

It was the romance that was lacking - and the beautiful sex scenes that would have shown what the characters had to tell the readers - that sex between a husband and wife is beautiful and pleasing to God. I wanted to witness that sublime sex - the shattering of Angel's reality - rather than being told about it. As it is, due to prudishness or skittishness on the part of the publishers, the emphasis remains on the perverse and "dirty" sex that harmed Angel, her mother, and the other women in the brothel, rather than the love between Angel and her husband. Four stars for their romance.

So, four and a half stars for a captivating read.

There is a great deal of beauty and darkness in this story. Many triggers - especially if child exploitation and sexual abuse give you nightmares. (Or God talk). But there is also healing, and the story ends happily, rest assured.

I cannot say enough about this truly fabulous book.

It is not one of my favorites without a valid reason. The themes explored within its pages, specifically the concept of God pursuing us, are incredibly powerful and beautiful.

The author has masterfully crafted a story that delves deep into the human experience and the relationship between humanity and the divine.

As I read through the book, I was constantly amazed by the profound insights and the way in which the themes were presented.

The idea of God's unwavering pursuit of us, despite our flaws and mistakes, is a message that is both comforting and inspiring.

It makes me realize that no matter what we do or where we go, God is always there, reaching out to us, loving us, and longing for a closer connection.

This book has truly touched my heart and has had a profound impact on my spiritual journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of God's love and His pursuit of us.