Eve: A Novel

Elliott is a very insightful and intelligent writer. Eve's journey is powerful, heart tugging, and very realistic in nature. She is not spared by the author, her story is given brutally honest truths about the hardships of motherhood, the choices a mother makes, and how her life continues to be shadowed from guilt regarding her choice of taking a bite from the forbidden fruit. The language is...more

Elliott is a very insightful and intelligent writer. Eve's journey is powerful, heart tugging, and very realistic in nature. She is not spared by the author, her story is given brutally honest truths about the hardships of motherhood, the choices a mother makes, and how her life continues to be shadowed from guilt regarding her choice of taking a bite from the forbidden fruit. The language is careful and true to the time period things are set in. I never felt lost by the setting or the mindset of the period. There are multiple characters who journey in this book. It really should have been called the first woMEN as it is told through each of her daughters as well as Eve. The author wrestles with many spiritual questions and answers them well. There are lots of aspects and viewpoints visualized in the characters, which brings about intelligent conversations and points to think about with regards to spirituality. The author has worked a beautiful and complex storyline. The flow of the book does get a bit muddled. There is Eve telling the story of her past then there are chapters her daughters narrate. Each chapter has a character name. At times, the characters' voice tells the story, but at other times, the author is narrating their motives and thoughts. The breaks between these times and places are not well defined. This was the main drawback I found with the book. But I did read an advance reading copy. Overall, the story is well reasearched, well thoughtout, and powerful. It makes you explore your own faith and opens your heart. Each character comes out changed than when the book started. Its a fantastic exploration of God's first people and the thoughts that followed their expulsion from the garden. So many great lines and thoughts to ponder. Elohim: "Adam, my love is not crafty or devious. It exists to be taken, to be accepted."   hide