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Abraham and Sarah by Roberta Kells Dorr

This book gets off to a slow start to me. I like how Sarai is rescued from defilement by her half-brother, Abram, and the two are soon married. A curse was placed on Sarai that she would be barren. Abram his wife, Sarai and his family leave Ur because of the Elamites attacking. His brother Haran is killed and the family, except Nahor escape. Being lead by the promises if his God, Abram leads his family on a journey that he has no idea where he is going. They arrive in Egypt. Fearing for the lives, Abram lies to Pharaoh causing him to order a fleet of barges to take Abram and his large family to Tanis where they were to gather their servants and herds and leave Egypt. Sarai and Hagar. Hagar gives birth to a son. Abram's name changes to Abraham, exalted father. Sarai's name also was changed to Sarah, princess. Sarah gives birth to Isaac. The characters are intriguing. To have faith to leave all that you know and fell safe at, to go to some unknown place because God promised it to you is a life-altering faith and love. Pick up a copy today you will enjoy it. This is my first book by Roberta Kells Dorr. It is well written. The characters were portrayed well and convincingly. Her description of the country and surroundings was
I received a complimentary copy from MPnewsroom for my review. ( )

It's listening to and believing the voice of his God that changes the life of a man named Abram in Abraham and Sarah by author Roberta Kells Dorr. Abram heeds the voice's instruction to uproot from his city and go to a land that God will show him. To be headed on a journey without knowing exactly where he's going is challenging enough, and Abram has no explanation for his actions besides promises from a voice that no one else he knows--not even his wife, Sarai--can hear.

As far as Biblical Fiction goes, this is a rather interesting and eventful story, though the characters seem more like caricatures at times than believable people, almost like in old films where characterizations are dramatic but not always natural. Abram and Sarai are indeed Abram and Sarai for most of the book, as much happens before they can become Abraham and Sarah, and one aspect I liked most was seeing their time in Egypt from Sarai's point of view.

Although it's indeed interesting for the most part, the story's development is awkward at points, dragging and redundant in several places while some events I would think are important are hurried over or they essentially take place in the background. Also, for the vast majority of the reading, I found little enjoyable about Sarai/Sarah's character. Her cattiness toward her maid Hagar is tiresome but understandable, particularly given its biblical basis, but even outside of that, Sarah is mostly depicted as a brat. She's often in a huff or "bursting into tears," and though the promise of God addressing her barrenness would make her someone I'd wish to root for, her constant "head tossing" and spoiled, resentful attitude made her character what I liked least about this book--which is unfortunate, given her pivotal role.

Still, as a novel that was originally published decades ago, Biblical Fiction fans may find this story worth checking out, and the ending left me intrigued concerning what may unfold in the novel that follows, The Sons of Isaac.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers for an honest review. ( )

I enjoyed Abraham and Sarah by Roberta Kells Dorr it is fiction based on the biblical story. Reading the old bible story written in novel form really brings this old story to life in ways I haven't read it before. I was able to get a picture of how things might have been.

The work the women would have done. How extremely hard it must have been for Sarah to tell her husband to be with another woman so he could have a son. How heartbreaking it must have been for Hagar to watch this son calling Sarah his mother. I found myself feeling sad for both of these women.

I have to say I wasn't fond of Sarah being rescued from the pagan temple or that Hagar was the daughter of Pharaoh as I have never read that anywhere in the Bible. But do understand that the author used some liberties to write her story.

It is is a remarkable story all the same, which I do recommend just keep in mind if you choose to read that it is fiction based on biblical history.

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you. ( )

NO OF PAGES: 392 SUB CAT I: Historic Fiction SUB CAT II: Bible Stories SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: This epic story sweeps from the pagan rituals of Ur to barren desert encampments, from the white-walled palaces of Egypt's pharaoh to the land God promised to give Abraham and his descendants.NOTES: SUBTITLE: Abraham & Sarah: A Novel