Very interesting - I didn’t give it a 5 because it got slow in a few places. But overall, the fictional story of Israel through the ages is so Biblical and wonderful to read.

I realized that if I don't write my review of a book immediately, I often forget what I want to say ... I also sort of gave myself the summer off from writing reviews. So basically, I don't have much to say here :)

I liked this book, for the most part, and I loved the analogy? allegory? part of it. However, it could be rather confusing to someone without the Biblical/church knowledge to "get it".

There are some very vivid word pictures in this -- I remember actually feeling parched during some of the travel scenes.

I am finishing up Kay Arthur's four-part "Revelation" study. This book seemed to be a fictionalized version of her teachings regarding the end times. I felt it complemented my study very well and helped me to better understand her theology.

My favorite thing about this book is how much I learned about Jewish history and culture.

Sometimes during the book, I felt like she was "preaching" through her characters, as they would say or think things very similar to what I've read or heard in Kay Arthur's Bible studies. Sometimes the characters did not seem fully "fleshed-out."

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

A novelized version of Israel's history, by personifying Israel as a bride, as she is so often called in the Old Testament. Sarah, through times of faithfulness and faithlessness (which creates some steamy writing), experiences each phase of Israel's history: the fall to Babylon, Greek domination, Roman domination, dispersion to Europe, Russian pogroms, Nazi concentration camps, a return to the homeland, etc.

This was a great read! Kay Arthur does a fine job of bringing the reader through the last 3000 years of Israel's history right up through the certain future which we know from reading books in the Bible. I loved the characters and viewing Israel as represented by a woman gave it a very personal feel. It was easy to see just how far Israel has come and how very much God loves his chosen people. Very good historical information to have as we wait for His return!

A unique and challenging book. The way Kay Arthur portrayed Sarah as the Israelites and their wandering throughout time was unique, informative and compelling. There were parts that were a hard read, other parts that made me seek out the Bible for the facts, and overall an amazing book. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

I mostly read this book as a preparation to my visit to Israel, and liked it well enough. The vehicle chosen by the author breaks down in parts and fails to adequately portray Israel's incredibly complex history. Indeed, how can a novel of 450 pages represent such an expanse of history? There also seems to be a Christian perspective to the novel, which, from my perspective, detracts from the novel's purpose. However, it helped me put certain events into a mental timeline, and thereby enriched my experience in the Holy Land.

Fantastic book!

Absolutely love this book. I try to read it every year. Such a precious gem that melts the heart of the reader.

If you are looking for a book that outlines the history of Israel and the love God has for them, then this is definitely it!! Beautifully written, this book details the historical events of Israel and God's unending love for them as evidenced in his Sovereign plan.

An amazing read about the history of Israel. I wod encourage every believer to read it!!

I do not recommend. The writing is slow and boring. I guess it is an allegory based on scripture but a very strange interpretation of scripture that I would call heresy. The very basic premise is that Israel is the bride of Christ. Scripture makes it clear that "The Church" is the bride of Christ. The book ends that Christ returning to claim Israel without a single word about anyone converting to Christianity. No one accepts Christ as Lord and Savior and the Christians who are shown are mostly of the inquisition type, not true Christians. A few Christians do show up to give shelter during WWII. There is so little reference to Christ in this book I might think it is written by a Jewish writer, except for the fact that the book is as insulting to Jews as it is to Christians. In fact I am really sorry I wasted the time that could have been better spent to read the book. I only did so because a friend suggested it and I kept reading it to see what she is feeding her mind with. I do not look forward to discussing it with her.

Really? What a bunch of garbage. Sucks! I wouldn't even give it one star, but I had no choice. It deserves no stars.

Pure crap. Garbage, don't bother. Awful, horrible, junk. Not worth any stars, but I had to give it one, that it doesn't deserve.

Kay Arthur, stop writing now!!!! If you write shit like this, we don't need you!!!! Please, please go away!