Face to Face: A Novel [Paperback]

Catherine Lawton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

The bent-over woman, according to Luke chapter 13, could not look upward at all. An evil spirit had kept her bound for eighteen long years. Yet Jesus called her a "daughter of Abraham," indicating her faith. How could this broken woman have such circumstance-defying faith?

In this fictional rendering of the story, the author has named the woman "Joakima". As a young wife and mother she experiences tragedy, loss, and shame. Her suffering is intensified by the crushing weight of religious regulations and the chafing yoke of Roman occupation.

But during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem a seed of hope is planted deep in her heart through the compassion of an extraordinary youth. Then the words of the prophet begin to come alive to her. And the eyes of compassion and the words of faith even visit her dreams; until, in an encounter that changes her life forever, she comes face to face with Love Himself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating read ... Get this book." -- Peggy Phifer, Wordsmith Shoppe, Sept. 20, 2004

"I was fascinated." -- Eva Marie Everson, CrossWalk.com

"Very impressive and easily readable debut novel ... compelling from its opening passage." -- The Boox Review, Feb., 2005

"Well-written -- pulls you in ... I felt as if I was in the mind of Joakima. ... I devoured each word." -- Bridgette Moore, E-pinions.com, August 9, 2004

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Cladach Publishing (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967038685
• ISBN-13: 978-0967038681
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,502,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Colorado, Catherine grew up in California, moving from one town to another as a preacher's daughter. With a BA in English she has worked as a substitute teacher in public schools, a private piano teacher, a freelance writer and editor, and a business owner. FACE TO FACE is her first novel, published just before moving back to her beautiful birth state near the Rocky Mountains. Her faith, travels, many colorful places she's lived and people she's known, vivify her writing. Through fiction she explores the depths of our relationships with--and need for--God, each other, and nature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Biblical novel by Catherine Lawton, February 4, 2005

By 

Anne M. Faidley (VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Face to Face: A Novel (Paperback)

"On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all." (Luke 13:10) Ever wondered about that crippled woman? Ever wished you could turn back the pages of history and catch a glimpse into her life? Catherine Lawton's fascinating novel, Face to Face, allows us to do just that. Building upon the Biblical narrative, Catherine weaves a riveting fictional account of Joakima, a contented young wife in a small Galilean town. Joakima's world revolves around her God, her husband, and her infant son.

Suddenly, in the very shadow of the Temple, disaster strikes. Joakima's simple, happy life is tragically shattered. Grief-stricken and grotesquely crippled, she is left alone to care for her infant son. Throughout the bitter nightmare of pain-filled days and sleepless nights, Joakima clings to a slender thread of hope...the stirring words of the prophet Isaiah: "Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion." And then one day, Joakima comes face to face with Jesus, and is forever changed.

Catherine Lawton's vivid writing breathes life into an obscure woman of faith...one whom Jesus called "a daughter of Abraham." Face to Face is a story that will stay with you long after the last page is read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spirit-filled book..., September 10, 2007

By 

Susan Jenkins (Park City, Utah, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Face to Face: A Novel (Paperback)

This novel is powerfully written. I found myself compelled to read, unable to put the book down, seemingly in a different place and a different time ~ Joakima, the "bent woman" had my undivided attention.

I have been accustomed to getting "into" the minds of Bible characters, but I was completely overwhelmed at the story of Joakima. Lawton gently opens up the mind and heart of this woman who had lost almost everything...and as I read, I felt I was seeing the world through the eyes of the afflicted woman ~ unable to see the skies and trees and faces of those she encountered. She suffered not only from the physical ramifications of a severe illness, but from the emotional torture of being misunderstood by all around her, possibly the very worst sort of pain. She was gossipped about, laughed at, teased, and pitied on a daily basis.

By the time she finally and quite dramatically met Jesus the Christ, and rose up to greet Him face to face, I found myself unable to hold back the tears of joy. In my quiet living room, thousands of years after that day and far from the crowd of people gathered in thes synagogue, I praised God...and was immediately drawn into a time of meeting Him face to face myself.

I am telling people about this strong and Spirit-filled book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping story/ Accurate descriptions, November 30, 2011

By 

Judith Pex (Eilat, Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Face to Face: A Novel (Paperback)

I would recommend "Face to Face: A Novel" to anyone who loves the Bible and enjoys having its well-known stories come alive. Although I know the story well, I still found the book hard to put down. The characters are portrayed in a very believable way. Having lived in Israel for over 30 years, I can attest to the accuracy of the author's descriptions in terms of geography, customs, etc. I hope that Lawton will write more books along this line.