Customer Reviews

Unveiled: Tamar (The Lineage of Grace Series #1)

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read every single one of Francine Rivers books, and UNVEILED is right up there in the ranks with her spectacular repertoire. Slightly shorter than most of her novels, this story is a new interpretation of a Biblical epic I have been familiar with for years, but now look at in a new light. After her fascinating accounts of the heroine, Tamar (book of Genesis, she includes a six part bible study that has brought me to tears on several occasions with her profound insight and soul searching questions that make you rethink your philosophies. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did, and I also encourage you to read Rivers' other selections, for they are ALL fantastic works of genious.

I started reading Francine Rivers' books in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1996. Since then, I have read every book she has written. My sister shared the first book with me, and from then on I was hooked on reading Francine's books. This book, "Unveiled", was written so well that Tamar seemed alive today. It was hard for me to comprehend her loyalty to her husbands' family. However, her faithfulness and willingness to trust and obey in a God she didn't even know was most impressive to me. I took this book on a weekend trip and wanted to spend more time in the hotel reading than socializing. It was easy reading and hard to put down--as all of Francine Rivers' books are. More importantly, all of the books cause me to think about my Christian walk and to try to grow closer to the Lord. This book caused a thirst for the scripture on Tamar. I was disappointed to find out that there is only a small passage on Tamar in the Bible. It's amazing how creative Francine Rivers is! Every woman should read this book. I am waiting anxiously for the next.

Francine Rivers has stated that she believes readers want to be challenged, and she has succeeded in doing that with Unveiled. She has told the story of a woman who is strong, courageous, and loyal, yet submissive to the will of God. Tamar is continually subjected to maltreatment from everyone around her, and is ridiculed for the decisions she makes, yet she stands firm, and is rewarded for her obedience in the end. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series-as usual, Francine has delivered.

In Francine Rivers' novella, Unveiled, the plight of Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, is explored. Francine paints a vivid picture of the lives of women in the B.C. Biblical era. Tamar is a woman who has been used and abused by all the men in her life, but she continues to submit to their authority. Once again, Francine has written a book that causes the reader to continue to turn the pages, eager to know what happens next. There is a lot of speculation, but none that goes outside the Biblical realm of possibility. She has made her characters come alive, and helps the reader to understand the frame of mind with which Tamar was operating. This book will not be a disappointment. In addition, there is a study guide included at the end of the book, for readers that want to get more out of this story directly from the Bible. There are Scripture passages to read and questions to provoke thought, as well as room to journal thoughts in the study. This would be an excellent source for a discussion group.

Tamar didn't feel ready to be married at 14. And she certainly didn't want to marry Judah's eldest son, Er. But being a woman, her opinion was never even asked. She is disappointed to find that the stories about his cruelty are true. Furthermore, her mother-in-law is horrid as well. Still, Tamar does her best to fit in with her new family and do her one duty, produce a son. But when tragedy strikes the family, she faces more hardship. Will the God of Judah be with her?

This book had an almost insurmountable task ahead of it. I've never particularly liked the story of Tamar in Genesis. Still, I tried to read this with an open mind. I found I enjoyed most of it, especially the connections it made that I had never made with the story of Joseph. It made me view the story in a completely different light by viewing the context. It also goes a long way in explaining the customs of the times which help put the story in perspective as well. Still, I did feel the fictitious part of the ending was a tad unrealistic and rushed.

This well researched novella sheds a different light on one of the woman God honored by including by name in the genealogy of Jesus. The included study guide helps us take lessons from this story into our everyday lives. While not my favorite story to begin with, this book helped me see past that to the importance of it in the greatest story ever told.

Francine has another winner here! Unveiled is a great story and a wonderful teaching tool. I can remember being a kid (not raised in a Christian enviornment)and the one exposure I had to Bible stories were those old epic movies. Charleton Heston in the Ten Commandments, The Story of Ruth, David and Bathsheba with Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward...remember? What about Ben Hur? (Okay so it wasn't strictly a Bible story. But for years I thought there was a book of Judah Ben Hur in the New Testament somewhere...) Great movies and stories really impacted my spiritual awareness! (These are flicks I still enjoy when they come on AMC!) Jesus understood that the best teacher taught people by telling stories. Francine Rivers has the gift, the mastery of her craft, the dedication and the love to make her stories reach into the hearts of her readers. Unveiled and the books that follow will forever be stories which someone will read and say..."I learned...I grew...my life changed because I read this book." Great blessings to you Francine! Your work will have an impact that goes beyond our lifetime.

I absolutely loved this book! What a treasure we have in Francine Rivers' books! I had never really appreciated Tamar's story before. The Bible gives her story only one chapter - Genesis 38. The book has the background about Judah and how he still felt guilty all those years for selling Joseph into slavery. It is very interesting how the well-known story of Joseph and his brothers (taken the Broadway in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat") is so closely related to this much-less known story of Tamar and allegiance to the family of Judah.

The book opens with Judah choosing Tamar as a wife for his oldest son Er. After the first two sons (and Tamar's first two husbands!) meet with bad ends, Judah is understandably reluctant to honor his last son by giving him to Tamar, lest the deaths of his other sons had something to do with her. Judah sends Tamar back to her family, in disgrace.

Through determination and cleverness, Tamar makes sure that Judah's line continues through her. She conceives and gives birth to twin sons Perez and Zerah.

Unveiled is the first in a new Francine Rivers series called "The Lineage of Grace" - each is about a woman who is an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

This book was easy to read, yet very thought-provoking - lots to chew on here! And I found the Study Guide at the back of the book to be ENORMOUSLY helpful! The scriptures quoted were outstanding and the questions and comments really make you think. I got much more out of the book since I also took some time with the Study Guide.

I highly recommend this book - it's wonderful to find such an enjoyable, yet thought-provoking book in a small package that won't take you too long to finish!

May God bless you all! Please check out my other reviews of Christian books and music.

I have been a long time fan of Francine Rivers and I have to say that I have not been disappointed yet. Her work really goes to the heart of the reader and brings a new view on God every time. I especially appreciate Unveiled. I just finished it and I have to say that I never have seen Tamar in this light. I really the fact that Rivers has put a study guide in the back of it this time. I share all my Rivers' books with my sister-in-law to help her have a deep walk with God. The study guide and the look at Tamar is excellent. Way to go, Francine!

I usually don't pick up "little" books but because this was by Francine Rivers I did and I certainly was not disappointed. I would read the book awhile and then read the scriptural account and then the book again, back and forth. The book was very good, right on the scripture and yet tells much of how the people may have felt. I will have a better remembrance of Tamar and Judah now and certainly look forward to the other four books coming. Thank you again Francine, all of your books are my favorites.

This is the first book that I have ever read by Francine Rivers, and I am very impressed. Generally I purchase books by authors such as Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, etc., but this book was just as exciting, so much in fact that I am reading the rest of the Lineage of Grace series now! Rivers makes the story of Tamar very interesting and not too extremely detailed. She doesn't bore the reader with unecessary historical facts; she only sets the stage for the story to take place. At the conclusion of the book she makes sure the reader knows that "most" of the story was factual and all added details were obviously only from one persons point of view. She includes a bible study at the end that walks you through the story as well. Rivers uncovers, to most of us, an unknown courageous character of the Bible. It is a very, very good book. A quick, but impacting read.