Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee

Tosca Lee is one of my favorite authors. Her first book, Demon: A Memoir, was one of my favorite reads in 2008. I will say, Havah: The Story of Eve is definitely top runner for my favorite of 2009.

The author richly layers the characters of Adam and Eve (Havah). Reading this book is like taking a journey not only through the fall of man but the fall of the marriage relationship. Although marriage doesn't exist at this point as a structured covenant, I felt that I was reading the tragedy of what so many marriages become today—needlessly. I will say at one point in the book, I didn't like Havah. Then I realized it was because she becomes the woman we women today dread becoming—a woman driven by resentment, bitterness, and unmet expectations.

But Lee beautifully brings this character around full circle with the pain of loss, love, and maturity. By the end of the story, Havah moves closer to the beauty she was first intended to be but imbued with more grace and wisdom.

Rich in setting and characterization, this story takes you beyond the surface to imagine what life in Eden may have been like, then deep into the repercussions of the fall on their relationship with each other, the animals, and their children. This is a story we all know, told in depth and imagination that will make you think long past that last page.


Smudge gives Havah: The Story of Eve a five meow rating. Leave a comment for a chance to get a copy of this fabulous book!

10 comments:

Grace Bridges said...

Ooh yes put me down for the draw! I borrowed Tosca's other book Demon last year and it was pretty amazing.

Dineen A. Miller said...

You got it, Grace! Thanks for stopping by. You'll love this one too, I'm sure.

lisa said...

Oooh, the possibility of free books - that's delicious. Please put me down too. Many thanks, Lisa
www.lisamckaywriting.com

Niki said...

Me too! Me too! I wanted to borrow Heather's copy and she said not before she reads it, and then she lent it out to someone else and I still haven't had the chance to read it.

Sorry-I didn't get nearly enough words out today. :)

Thanks for entering me in the drawing Dineen. I can't wait to read this book!

Preacher said...

Please enter me too! Tosca's first book absolutely ruined my sleeping patterns until I finished it--I'm sure this one will keep me awake as well.
Thanks, Preacher

Pam Halter said...

It sounds fascinating! I've only recently learned about Tosca, who graciously agreed to be my Facebook Friend. But Chip MacGregor had an interview with her on his blog a few weeks ago. It was great. Please enter me in the drawing, too.

Valerie Comer said...

Please enter me as well.

Chesh said...

No need to enter me. I already won recently, but I did want to say that I plan on buying this for my mother. Your review sold me on this!!

Alisa said...

I just recently read the first chapter online. What beautiful writing. I love this line: "And I know that God made the heart the most fragile and
resilient of organs, that a lifetime of joy and pain might be
encased in one mortal chamber." Thanks for the chance to win it. :)

Dineen A. Miller said...

Lisa, you're my winner! Emailing you now... :-)

More books coming up, ladies! Some great nonfiction books as well. Be blessed!