Speak to Her Kindly [Paperback]

Jonathan Rainbow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2003

Germany, 1534. Paulus has lost his wife Marga to a fanatical cult. She's tired of persecution, tired of running, tired of turning the other cheek. Tired of being a peaceful Anabaptist in a violent world. She wants to fight back In Munster, Marga can fight back. The Anabaptists there, led by their fiery prophet-king Jan Bockelson, have conquered the city. Bockelson leads through visions, charm, and terror. The pitiless prince Franz von Waldeck surrounds Munster with his army, grimly determined to have it back. Bockelson promises victory. The saints will slaughter their enemies and then Christ will return. But the city is doomed. Paulus goes to Munster to win his wayward wife. Starvation begins. Bockelson's reign of terror tightens. And Paulus is faced with a terrible surprise that shakes his loyalty to Marga to the core. Will this marriage, and this love, survive the holocaust of hunger, terror, lunacy, doubt, and bloody vengeance? Speak to Her Kindly. A story of Christians in the turbulent 16th century. A story of fanaticism, faith, terror, endurance, peace, and love. Jonathan Rainbow has a Ph.D. in Reformation history. He teaches History and English

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jonathan Rainbow has a Ph.D. in Reformation History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has lived, studied and traveled in Germany, where he also visited the town of Muenster while researching for his first novel. He teaches History and English in Visalia, California. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: WinePress Publishing (February 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579215904
• ISBN-13: 978-1579215903
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,426,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story, July 15, 2003

By 

James Schaap (Sioux Center, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speak to Her Kindly (Paperback)

"Speak to Her Kindly" held me all the way through. I was taken by the story's fascinating portrayal of a time and place so far--and yet not so--from all of us. Jon Rainbow's use of history here is remarkable. He brings us into a world of religious persecution, as well as religious fanaticism, sparing little on either side and striking a balance that is noteworthy. What's equally interesting is his use of an somewhat obscure biblical story, that of Hosea, to frame the novel's central narrative.

Even though the historical circumstances of the novel are likely known to very, very few potential readers, the psychological and spiritual dimensions of the novel transcend the history. It's good for believers to be reminded that faith torn from reason isn't faith at all. Rainbow's novel makes very clear that fanaticism, in whoever's name it is undertaken, is still, undeniably, fanaticism.

But, finally, the moral of the story is faith--persistent, humble, self-denying faith.

"Speak to Her Kindly" is quite a read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bit of Everything for Everyone, October 23, 2003

By 

Tara (Visalia, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speak to Her Kindly (Paperback)

Speak to Her Kindly provides a bit of something for everyone. For the historian, there is history; for the theologian, there is theology. For the romantic, there is romance; for the sadist, there is sadism. And, for the combative skeptic, there is the unbelievable.

Paulus watches helplessly as his wife, Marga, mentally and physically extracts herself from him. She is through with the pacifism practiced by Paulus and so, embraces Jan Bockelson's movement; she establishes herself in Münster, leaving her husband behind. When Paulus enters Münster in search of Marga, he witnesses the madness that has swept over the city - polygamy, starvation, fanaticism (factual happenings). He has come to reclaim his wife, but finds that she has already been claimed by another. Unwilling to give her up, but equally unwilling to disregard his mentor's dogma of celibacy, he searches for a solution, for truth.

Essentially, Speak to Her Kindly is a novel about faith and endurance. Even though the tale is based in the 16th century, it provides a lesson applicable today. But, it is not simply a story to learn from, it is a story to enjoy.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable History Centered Around a Fictional Love Story, April 9, 2003

By 

Jim Elsenbroek (Califronia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speak to Her Kindly (Paperback)

Speak to Her Kindly is a wonderfully crafted, unbelievably "true story" which keeps your interest throughout the book. The way the two separate story lines come together keeps you intruiged and wanting more. I didn't want to stop reading and finished it in two days. The style of this historical fiction presents aspects for all readers: a love story, medieval history, Biblical truth, glory, guts, and gore. It shows the real struggle of early "reformed" Christians but doesn't hide what it was like to live in the 16th century. The true history of this novel seems more fiction than the fictitious parts. After reading this book I find myself "speaking more kindly" to my wife, family and others. Not only is this a great story, it leads and teaches the reader something about what living is all about.