Historical Fiction books on subject of Judaism/Christianity?

[prism68]

Hi, the "Lost Gospels" thread made me think about some books I had read that gave me a greater appreciation for the Jewish traditions (and the meanings behind them).

I remember reading some series, but cannot remember what they were. Do any of y'all have any books to recommend? I love reading historical fiction, where the context is accurate and the character experience is fictional. Seems like one of the series started with, "The Daughter of Zion". The writing was kind of lame but the story was intriguing enough that I read them all.

Can't even come up with a segment of the other ones I have read

Anyway, I'd love to hear similar books others have enjoyed?
I also read "The Red Tent" which was a disturbing, challenging, but awesome read.

Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks!

[worshipfulheart]

A friend of mine recommended the Zion Chronicles to me. She really liked them but I never had a chance to read them.
I would recomend just about anything by Francine Rivers.
She has a lineage of Grace series that are the stories of real biblical women, but she "colors" the story by writing about what their daily life and experience may have been like according to the culture of the time. The mark of the Lion series is incredible also as it is a fictional account of the Roman gladiators and Christians in the time when they were thrown to the lions in the colloseum. It is a powerful series.
Her books that are more modern tales but are parallels of biblical stories are really good too. I loved the Scarlet Thread and another that I just cannot for the life of me remember the name of right now.
I can;t wait to read "And The Shofar Blew"

God Bless!!
Angela <><

[worshipfulheart]

** I remember!!!***
It is called "Redeeming Love"
One of he most powerful books I have read!
God Bless!!
Angela <><

[prism68]

Originally Posted by worshipfulheart

** I remember!!!***
It is called "Redeeming Love"
One of he most powerful books I have read!
God Bless!!
Angela <><

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I HAVE read 'Redeeming Love'- you are right, very moving book. Isn't that the one that was based on the Gomer/Hosea story?

The others I haven't heard of; the Lion series sounds great as we (my students and I) have just finished studying Ancient Rome. I will look for it

Does remind me though, if anyone knows any similar books for teens my girls may like some of those. They LOVED "The Bronze Bow"; great book!

[Pipanella]

I was just going to recommend, "The Red Tent"! Then I saw that you've already read it. I just loved that book.

[worshipfulheart]

Yes, "Redeeming Love" is the Gomer/ Hosea story. It is one of my favorite books.
I have not heard of the Bronze Bow. My girls like the Frank Peretti series and lean towards mystery and spy type books. I would like to expand their horizons though and get them involved interested in more historical fiction. They do enjoy the Dear America series and the American Adventure series but I have yet to find them something geared more towards biblical history. If there was something like "The Mark of the Lion" series geared more towards their age, I think they would really like that.
I had "The Red Tent" reccomended to me but it was by someone whose judgement in good wholesome, non blasphemous, literature I don't really trust so I have been a little wary of it.

Off the subject of historical fiction, another of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury!

[prism68]

Originally Posted by worshipfulheart

I had "The Red Tent" reccomended to me but it was by someone whose judgement in good wholesome, non blasphemous, literature I don't really trust so I have been a little wary of it.

Lots of people really had issues with "The Red Tent" and I am sure it could be seen as blasphemous. What made it interesting to me was just the whole idea of looking at a familiar story (Tamar) from the opposite point of view.

I certainly didn't take all of it as an accurate portrayal, though. Just the image of the closeness between the females was so touching, because there is so little said in the Bible about the life of the females back then.

p.s. "The Bronze Bow" was one of our required readers this year and so far it has been the girls' favorite (required) book. It is centered around a young Jewish boy in the Ancient Roman times. Over the course of the story, he goes from being hate/vengeance-filled (The Romans killed his father) to learning the value of forgiveness. The coolest part is reading about Jesus' budding ministry from this boy's perspective. Also, there are lots of themes of loyalty to siblings, friends, family.

*Must say my girls' favorite part is the growing 'love story' between the young man and his betrothed-to-be

[worshipfulheart]

I really did not know too much about the book "The Red Tent" I just did not check it out bacause I have gotten to where I don't consider what this person reccomends. She has probably reccomended some good things, it's just that I can never be too careful considering some of what I have read by her recomendation, (this person is not a christian by the way). Some people would say almost any Christian fiction is blasphemous, especially when we get into historical fiction but I think if it can tell a good story without defaming the character and nature of Christ and without opposing what the bible says, then there is nothing wrong with that. I may check it out after all.
Sounds like I will have to look for "The Bronze Bow" too. Who wrote it?

I like to find books to read to my girls, a chapter a night, so far we have read "Hinds Feet in High Places" (my favorite, and the girls love it - we will go through that one again) and Jonathan's Journey. If anyone has any other suggestions pass them this way!
God Bless!!
Angela <><

[prism68]

Originally Posted by worshipfulheart

Sounds like I will have to look for "The Bronze Bow" too. Who wrote it?

Elizabeth George Speare wrote the book. She is the one who wrote "The Sign of the Beaver" and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond".
There are some study guides that go with it, too, I think just free on the internet.
I hope y'all enjoy it. I miss reading to my kids at night, they think they are too old now

[worshipfulheart]

Thanks, I will look for those at the library. My girls are 7 and 11. They still like to sit and let me read to them, even my oldest. Of course she would read all the time if I let her. I have actually had to ban books from her altogether because she was reading too much (isn't that a switch, haha!) She would stay in her room and read and neglect her chores and responsibilities, then she would try to stay up half the night and read in the dark. She even came up with a plan to use the mirrors in her room, a mirror smuggled to her bedand the mirror in the adjacent room to reflect the light so she would be able to read. Anyway, now I am off the subject.
God Bless!!
Angela <><

[Pipanella]

That brings back memories of when I was a kid and I would take a flashlight to bed with me so I could read when I was supposed to be sleeping!

[bwsmom]

If I may sidetrack for just a second and recommend a NON-fiction book, try "Wanderings, A History of the Jews" by Chaim Potok.

In fact, pretty much all of his fiction books are wonderful reads and each gives some insight into the Jewish way of life. Enjoy!

[prism68]

Originally Posted by bwsmom

If I may sidetrack for just a second and recommend a NON-fiction book, try "Wanderings, A History of the Jews" by Chaim Potok.

That sounds like an interesting one; I do read mostly non-fiction. Just got where I really liked fiction with a historical bent 'cause it is a painless way to learn some history (one of my worst subjects)

[bwsmom]

Originally Posted by prism68

That sounds like an interesting one; I do read mostly non-fiction. Just got where I really liked fiction with a historical bent 'cause it is a painless way to learn some history (one of my worst subjects)

Understood!

Most people know Chaim Potok from his book "The Chosen" (made into a movie in the 80's starring Robbie Benson). While all his fictional books are great, I personally recommend "Davita's Harp"... it is beautiful, moving and again, very descriptive of the Jewish lifestyle. (And I do believe he interjects some Jewish history into each of his books as well). He died just this past year... I wish the world knew what they're missing with him gone...

[Pipanella]

bwsmom, I just ordered "Davita's Harp"!