Pearl in the Sand: A Novel

This novel is a fictionalized account of the life of Rahab, a Canaanite sold into prostitution at the age of 15 by her father.

As Rahab prospers financially, at the age of 17, she purchases an inn located on the walls of Jericho. (am I the only one that hears the spiritual running through their mind whenever they hear the words "walls of Jericho"?). As she hears about the Hebrews and their destruction of cities with a minimum of weapons, she begins to wonder about the God of the Hebrews. What kind of God doesn't demand the sacrifice of children to appease him? What kind of God has the power to bring entire cities to the feet of the poorly-armed, small in number band of Hebrews as they travel? When she comes to the aid of two Hebrews, shelters them, and helps them escape the city's soldiers, she and her family are spared when the Hebrews come to take the city, going to live with the Hebrews and adopt their faith.

This is a love story and a story of faith. There was a lesson given from Salmone, an advisor to Joshua, that actually brought tears to my eyes. The author has based this novel as much as possible on Biblical and archaeological sources, and it does bring a well-known Biblical story to life. I found it interesting reading, even if it seemed a bit too sappy here and there. Definitely a book to read if you are trying to build your faith, or are strong in your faith and want a deeper understanding of some of the characters we read about in the Bible, or even for those who like a wonderful love story.

NOTE: For the Biblical account of Rahab, refer to Joshua 1-10, Ruth, and Matthew 1:1-17.

QUOTE

She was trapped. Trapped in the solitude of her heart, which no amount of companionship seemed to pierce. Trapped in her body, the body of a harlot besmirched by a dozen men. Trapped in Jericho, which stood trembling before an enemy whose advances could not be turned away by walls of stone and mortar. Trapped in Canaan, which was marked for destruction by a god who claimed to have dominion over the whole world.

Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Characters: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 3 out 5 stars

BOOK RATING: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar is a fabulous novel about Rahab from the Bible. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this great one! If you haven't read it yet, you certainly need to! It's a MUST read!

I have always loved the Biblical story of Rahab. What a picture of God's grace and redemption. The author takes the parts of Rahab's story that we do know directly from the Bible and then she fills in with a fictional story of what could have happened. The foundation is always the Biblical story, with the events that took place and characters from the Bible. I really love the way she wrote this story!

I felt as if I stepped back in time and met Rahab. From the minute I picked up the book and started it, I did not want to put it down. I read this one is just over a day because I just couldn't put it down. Even during the parts where it's taken straight from the Bible, and I really knew what was going to happen, I still found myself riveted to the pages. The author brought the Bible to life!

I VERY highly recommend this book to anyone. It is very beautifully written with an amazing blend of fact and fiction. It's suspenseful, dramatic, entertaining, and packs a powerful message! I absolutely cannot wait for more from this incredible author! I am definitely a new fan!

A complimentary copy was provided for an honest review.

Pearl in the Sand is the very emotional, touching story of Rahab, the famous "innkeeper" from Jericho who is spared, along with her family, for saving the life of two Israelite spies.

I really enjoyed this story. It definitely was more introspective and character driven than plot-driven. I really like how she didn't make the story all the battle of Jericho and then have the marriage between Rahab and Salmone wrap up in a bow and that's the end. It chronicles how she adjusted to her new life.

I did think that it could have been a bit "grittier," and by that I don't mean descriptively. I mean that, as the reader, I didn't really feel Rahab's despair and hurt over her profession until later in the story. I supposed she may have been repressing her feelings, but I think in the beginning, her feelings could have come across as deeply as they did later in the story.

As for the writing, there were occasions that I felt were a bit on the nose and somewhat preachy. I'm the type of reader that doesn't want to be told everything, but rather shown. The moments of introspection didn't always feel entirely genuine.

The healing that takes place within Rahab was very heartfelt, and I was so glad that it wasn't just sugar-coated and glossed over. I'd never really given thought to how her profession from her former life in Jericho would hold sway in her new life with her husband. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the things that held us down in the past must be dealt with and given over to God again and again.

I will definitely pick up Afshar's next novel when it comes out.

Good Biblical fiction gives greater insight into Biblical characters, makes them real, and then after the book is over, sends me back to my Bible to re-read the story afresh. Pearl is the Sand is great Biblical fiction, combining biblical and archeological facts together with a dose of literary license to form a story that I couldn't put down. The lessons Rahab learns about forgiveness - of self and others, God's mercy & justice, and faith are applicable to anyone. Many of the secondary characters were also fleshed out and felt real, too, with lessons in their own journeys of faith. There were fun moments scattered throughout the story as well, including "the lower cough" which made me laugh so hard I had to read that section to my Hubby. I have Tessa's next book waiting on Mt. TBR, and I can't wait to begin reading it.

Wow! This is the first book I've read by Tessa Afshar, but it will not be the last. I love historical fiction, especially Biblical fiction. It always amazes me how the authors interpret the Bible stories, adding details to the stories that are not in the Bible. Tessa Afshar does not disappoint in this exciting novel about Rahab.

I think most people will be able to relate to and fall in love with Rehab. She exemplifies traits that we all have and her character is so real. She struggles with forgetting her past and getting on with her life, and is only successful when she acknowledges her love for Salmone, and together, they seek God's help.

This book is full of adventure and romance. Afshar's descriptions of the environment are detailed and stimulating. Finding this book was like finding a pearl in the sand, a real treasure. I give this book 5 stars!!

I reviewed this book for my blog at bookworm2bookworm:

I am a Christian and I own and read my Bible. The story of Rahab is not new to me. I've `listened' sermons about it, yet until reading `Pearl in the Sand' I never really `heard' it.

Rahab is fifteen years old, living with her parents, two brothers and a sister-in-law in Jericho, Canaan. To aid her family's survival, her father is forced to turn his beautiful and innocent girl into a prostitute. There are no choices left to either of them, and both will need to come to terms with the shame that will follow both for a long time.

Even though she struggles to accept the road she now travels, this young woman exhibits maturity, strength and intuitiveness, so it's not a surprise that two years later, at seventeen, she becomes an inn owner. Her property has a `desired' location and her clientele is as always chosen well and only by her.

The first time she hears about Hebrews and their God, she's twenty-six and the story her lover relates to her makes no sense and she has a hard time believing that unsophisticated and unarmed people who have no home, can be so powerful as to part sea's and destroy Sihon's army. Yet the rumors kept growing to such a degree that the people of Jericho were gripped with fear, and in that fear their idolatry grew. Temple priests kept the fires burning and the stench of burned human flesh could be smelled a league away.

As a girl Rehab saw one such sacrifice of her beloved baby nephew, and from the moment they snatched him from her loving arms, she vowed never to step foot nor pray to those gods that would accept an innocent life as a payment for their favors.

One day as she's entertaining Debir, her new lover who's a high general in the army, she listens as he's telling her of Hebrew's One True God; a God with compassion for his people; a God who doesn't require a statue built of him nor can you see him or touch him. One minute her heart longs for this God of compassion, and in the next her hopes are dashed as Debir tells her that this God condemns prostitutes by having them stoned to death! To finally encounter the Hebrew Lord of compassion only to realize that He is her enemy, was ironic. One fallen woman of Jericho longing for a Hebrew God! As always, she knew that she shouldn't let herself believe or trust in no one but herself.

This is not so much a story of Joshua and the Israelites conquering Jericho, as it is a story of Rahab and her life in a land in which wickedness knew no bounds. It's a story of a woman who must accept and forgive herself fully, while at the same time embracing the true God. As she proclaims `I believe!' the reader can't help but feel Rahab's elation.

It's also a story of forgiveness, acceptance, redemption and love. We get to see this woman fall in love with her true soul mate, Salmone. Their love has a few bumps in the road but once he submits to God, he understands this strong woman and has no choice but to love and respect her.

This is an amazing story and Tessa Afshar told it so beautifully that you won't even think of it as a Bible Story. Not even close! But, this is also not your typical Romance either, despite being a love story. Love of God for his people, even for a Canaanite prostitute.

I appreciated Ms. Afshar taking the time to research the scripture as well as History. Without the extensive research and her fertile imagination we would never have `felt' the story. It would have become just another Sermon. Instead we come away feeling blessed by the story of one woman's quest for peace and love in her life.

She finds both and the road to it is long, at times painful and might have been doomed but for the grace of God.

Melanie

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Pearl in the Sand
TitleAuthor: Tessa Afshar
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-8024-5881-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical/biblical

I was absorbed in this book from the minute I began reading it. It has been a long time since I was an avid reader, but this book had me hooked. I did find it had me running to the Bible often to look up battles I could not remember and other Biblical references. Afshar did not disappoint me, as this romantic tale is intertwined deeply with Biblical accuracy. While many are familiar with the story of the fall of Jericho and may be familiar with the union of Salmone and Rahab from the book of Matthew, we are left to wonder in silence how such a union occurred. How did the Canaanite woman, known to be a harlot, become the revered and loved wife of one of Judah's sons? Afshar takes dramatic and literary license to create a story based in Biblical history to help us fill in the blanks of what could have happened to bring this couple together to become the lineage of Christ.
Afshar uses Pearl in the Sand to teach the reader how the Lord can take anyone from a life of sin and use them and their lives to define a purpose for the world and themselves as individuals. Through the story, Rahab and Salmone both discover how to find value and worth in themselves and then, in each other. The Lord leads Rahab through self-healing and then takes into a world where she learns to learn herself and others.
This book was different from many I have read in a long time. Pearl in the Sand moved me to tears at times, as Rahab experienced pain and tears of her own. Afshar does well by taking the reader into the depths of Rahab's character. This is one story that has made me think about interactions with other and members of my family. Its message was timeless and will remain with me long after the words of the author fade.

This is one book I would recommend to anyone, Christian or those who do not yet know Christ. It has already been loaned to my neighbor to read. You may read more of this review at [...]

My new favorite love book, and the fact that you learn ALOT about culture is awesome from a trusted source. Obviously it's not factual content, but the stuff that we DO know from scripture is very accurate. She did an unbelievable job with this book, and I've already purchased 2 as gifts for others. This is one you need to own a copy of to read and reread.

I was disappointed the book lacked historical details, other than those provided in the Scriptures. In fact there were a few errors in that regard, e.g. Rahab wore silk robes in the book, but silk was not available until the Chinese opened the Silk Road in the 2nd Century AD.

I bought this book because I was familiar with the Biblical story and expected it to be more fleshed out in a book. If the book had explored Canaanite environs and the geopolitical context giving rise to the battle of Jericho, it would have earned a five star rating.

I love the story of Rahab and Salmone in the book of Joshua, and the book followed it perfectly. Though the story could have had more character development and historical details, those who read biblical fiction without a desire for depth or context will not be disappointed.

I'd heard great things about this book, and why I let it languish so long on my bookshelf is a mystery. (I guess it's a testament to my reckless book-buying habit and my ever-growing physical and electronic TBRs.)

Well, I'm pleased to report that I agree with the glowing recommendations. Pearl in the Sand is a beautiful and engaging debut novel!

From the harsh and horrific introduction to her character, to the heartfelt depiction of her turning to faith, Rahab stands out as an absolutely wonderful heroine. Imperfect, with a difficult past, but inspiring in the way she embraces the hope of the Lord and the challenges and rewards of a new life.

As for the hero, well...there's a lot to love about him. And there's a lot to learn from his own set of challenges, weaknesses. and lessons.

The excellent setting and cultural descriptions provide a striking background for this fictionalized account of the fall of Jericho and the life of Rahab. But while there's strong drama in the demise of the walled city, the main tension revolves around the siege against emotional and spiritual strongholds.

It's a great thing to be reminded of the very real struggles of the people mentioned in the Scriptures, as well as the very real examples of faith. Pearl in the Sand showcases the grittiness and preciousness of both.

*With thanks to Moody Publishers for my copy of the book, which I won on the Window to My World blog.*