Stone Tables by Orson Scott Card

Stone Tables by Orson Scott Card is the Biblical story of Moses--a historical, Biblical fiction.  I really enjoyed it.  I loved Card's Women of Genesis, so I was looking forward to reading this.  Stone Tables was originally a play that was written by Card and produced and performed while he was serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He never got to see it.  He expanded and changed the play to write the novel.  I understand there is a soundtrack for the play available.  I really like Card's writing and his interpretation of events.  The relationship between Moses, Aaron, and Miriam is very interesting, complex, and true to life.  Love the relationship of Moses and his wife.  I had always wondered why in Egypt the Pharaoh would accept his daughter just taking a baby out of the water for a son.  Card's take on it is interesting and thought provoking.  I will enjoy reading the account of Moses in the Bible much more now with the pictures and stories in my mind from this book.  Again, it is not scripture, but fiction and is meant to be read and enjoyed as such.

Rachel and Leah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card

This is the last published book in Orson Scott Card's Women of Genesis series.  I really enjoyed it.  I never really understood why a father would trick his future son-in-law by giving him the wrong daughter to marry.  Granted, this is fiction, and Card only has a few verses in the Bible to go by, but I love the story he weaves in Rachel and Leah about 4 strong and very different women.  It made Genesis chapter 29 much more interesting to read.  I don't know that I buy Card's interpretation that Rachel was really that scared about getting married, but who knows?  It makes a good story.  I loved the stories of Bilhah and Zilpah that come into this.  It is really the story of 4 women, not just 2.  I was excited at the end to read that Card plans to write a 4th and 5th in this series, but it is obviously not his first priority because this was published in 2004.  I read an interview by him in 2010 that said the next book would not be out this year or the next, but I am hopeful for 2012?  This book really ends in a place where you need the next book right away.  I couldn't believe it ended right there.  It ends right after Rachel marries Jacob, and Leah thinks she is pregnant.  The next installment is to be called The Wives of Israel.  I won't be holding my breathe until it comes out because I can't hold my breathe that long, but I will anxiously await it.  I like his writing.  I will have to check out some of his other genre works.                                                                                                                                            

Rebekah by Orson Scott Card

Rebekah is the second in Orson Scott Card's Women of Genesis  trilogy.  I didn't like this one as much as I enjoyed Sarah, the first one.  The story of Rebekah's early life and being found by the well were very good, but once she got with Issac it seemed like they were just arguing all the time.  It was interesting the author's take on Issac and how he dealt with almost being sacrificed by his father.  This plays into a lot of why they argue and what makes Issac how is he.  Yes, these men were prophets, but prophets are still men and human and have the whole range of emotions and experiences everyone else had--or sometimes they have way worse than most have had.  I am sure dealing with that was not an easy thing for Issac, and that issue brings up a lot of the arguing and discussions that Rebekah and Issac have.  Issac never feels like he is quiet good enough, and then it goes in the story of Esau and Jacob.  It tells of their growing up, and how Rebekah helps Jacob to trick Issac to give him the birthright.  It was a good read, interesting, but I just felt like the arguing/discussions of Rebekah and Issac were a little too much too often.  I am anxious to read the last called Rachael and Leah and see how that compares. 

Sarah by Orson Scott Card

Sarah by Orson Scott Card is the first in the Women of Genesis trilogy.  It is historical fiction based on Abraham and Sarah's story in the bible.  I loved this book.  When you read it you have to realize this isn't based on a lot of fact, because there isn't a lot in Genesis to go by, but Card does a wonderful job keeping the characters true to their greatness and creating a wonderful history and story.  Sarah is such a wonderful women, such a woman of faith.  You cry for her when she can't bare a child, and cry when she makes the decision to give Hagar to Abram and then you cry for joy when she finally has Isaac.  You watch her build her faith and grow.  I thought it was a very faith promoting book and very uplifting.  I would highly recommend it.  It will make reading Genesis more interesting next time around for me.   I am looking forward to reading the other 2 in the series Rebekah and Rachel and Leah.