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I just finished reading the Women of Genesis series for a second time and wanted to say how much I enjoy those books.
I first became interested in OSC's books with Ender's Game and the whole saga. After Ender, I moved on to the Alvin series, which I liked even better, and then read some of his other books, like Enchanted & Pastwatch, which were also very good. My family members all passed these books around, and for Christmas one year, my brother gave me Sarah. I followed the reading of Sarah with Rebekah, and then, finally, Rachel & Leah. I think now that this has become my favorite series of OSC's books.
When I first read it, I enjoyed it very much as a story and I really loved OSC's character development, as always. It felt like he really did well filling in the historical gaps, while keeping most of the known details in place. It was well researched, and I felt like it really could have been accurate (or was at least as good a guess as any). I read it mostly like a historical fiction, thinking it was similar to Pastwatch, and it was very good on that level.
However, the second time through, I really began to focus less on the story and more on OSC's portrayal of these women as examples in faith. With Sarah & Rebekah especially, I found a lot of inspiration from his depiction of their spiritual lives. Both times I read these books, I also read back to the Bible verses they were based on, but this time, I took more from it for my own spiritual journey. Reading OSC's interpretation of what these women's lives might have been like helped me to read their stories from a different perspective, opening my eyes to the fact that these were real people, real women, that I can learn from. I began to see in their stories examples of how their issues were not that much different from the issues of today, and took comfort in the strength they showed in their faith and in the face of adversity.
OSC has a gift for bringing characters to life on the page, and I am hoping that OSC will continue to the final book in the series, finishing the story of Rachel & Leah. Does anyone know if this is being written or if it's going to be written?
Posts: 1 | Registered: Nov 2007
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I will definately pass your comments on to OSC. There are actually two more books planned -- but no schedule of when they will be written. But the titles will be "The Wives of Israel" and "The Sons of Rachel".
Posts: 780 | Registered: Jul 1999
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I totally agree with you that this has to be at least one of his best series's. As much as I loved Ender and Bean (and Alvin) they aren't as amazing as Women of Genesis! My favorite series so far has been Homecomming, but Wives of Genesis may pass it up after I find out what else happens!
Strangely enough, I read this series out of order. I started with Rachel and Leah and worked backward! Then I worked forward again after buying "Sarah" from Audible on audio (very VERY good... I wish the others were there as well!)
I really want to know what else happens. The only thing that sorta bugs me about the books is the fact that Sarah seems to know that she's not going to get pregnant once he "time" comes.... but history says women didn't figure that out until very recently. Yet, reading the stories, it seems natural for her to know. I wonder if history might be wrong because no one bothered to write down something so obvious...
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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I'd just like to add my admiration for the Women of Genesis series, as well as a recommendation to read Saints and Stone Tables. Saints is among my very favorite OSC books. It is an honest portrayal of a woman of immense faith who went through some mighty trials, which I think would appeal to you. Stone Tables is also excellent, especially for its value as historical fiction. Both books were written in the 1980s, so they have a delightful vintage OSC quality to them that I think holds up very well. Hope you like these recommendations!
Posts: 786 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I have always considered Stone Tables to be one of the "Women of Genesis" series. Even though it was written many years before the series was developed, it fits.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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lol... I have to laugh every time someone mentions "Saints". I picked up a very early printing of it (a paperback that was literally falling apart) at an out of the way used book store a couple of years ago - under the name "Woman of Destiny".
It really was a very good book (though heart-yanking as usual) but I'm not sure I would have picked it up if it had been called "Saints". Ok, so I probably would have just because I buy every OSC book I can find in used bookstores... but still. The cheezy "Woman of Destiny" title actually intrigued me... I grant you that "Saints" fits better, but it's not as much fun!
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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Oh man. Saints. It's the only book of OSC's that I've ever purposely gotten rid of. I love that book, but I cannot read his description of her fall down the stairs ever again. I kept forgetting about it and picking up the book again, but when I would get to that part I had to stop reading or I would be inconsolable. I couldn't risk it.
But yeah, WofG = teh awesome!!!1
Unfortunately I haven't gotten my hands on a copy of "Stone Tables" yet.
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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