"Daughter of Rome" Book Review
It’s easy to forget that every person in the Old and New Testament breathed, dreamed, cried, laughed, and moved through the ups and downs of life. Because most stories in the Bible are short, I often read with cursory eyes and forget the real people to which events occurred.
Good biblical fiction clothes the people of Scripture with skin, heartbeats, and feelings. It helps me identify their struggles with my own. The Bible holds stories of real people, not just characters drawn in a children’s book. But authors of this genre hold a great responsibility. How do they flesh out the story without altering the meaning of the inspired Word? It is a challenge.
One author who does an exceptional job is Tessa Afshar. Her eighth book, Daughter Of Rome, just released this month, paints the story of Priscilla and Aquilla in New Testament Rome, both their faith journeys and love story. Unlike a romance book which ends when the two people marry (which drives me crazy), this story continues as they build their lives together, create their family, confront relationship issues, serve Jesus, and endure the persecution their faith brings.
Things I appreciated:
Recognizable struggles. The hurts and challenges in Priscilla’s life created platforms to expound on issues I recognize. Ms. Afshar isn’t preachy, but she deftly weaves nuggets of truth into the story that touched me deeply.
Understanding of early church issues. The story revealed what the struggle in the New Testament synagogue must have been like. As the teaching of Christ entered, it divided people. Thinking through those complexities aides my understanding of much of the Book of Acts.
Paul revealed. I enjoy reading stories with Paul portrayed as a real person. Because he wrote so many instructional letters, it’s easy to view him wagging his finger and shaking his head. But what about laughing or crying? Or being a real person who became hungry or tired? I appreciate remembering his humanity.
Daughter of Rome engages the heart. For me, a book must weave a great story to be highly recommended, and this one does just that. I cared deeply for Priscilla, ached for her past hurts and their continuing effects, and rejoiced as she discovered her Savior and slowly released her past into His hands. This book contains much more than just a love story.
Recommendation
I highly recommend Daughter of Rome. It not only engages heart and spirit, it also paints a realistic and revealing picture of the New Testament world.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If you read it, please let me know what you think.
And share below a book in the biblical fiction genre that you enjoyed.
Author Bio
Tessa Afshar is an award-winning author of biblical and historical fiction. Her books have won the Christy and INSPY Awards and been voted by the Library Journal as one of top five Christian fiction titles of the year. Her first Bible Study and DVD, The Way Home, based on the book of Ruth, will be released from Moody Publishers in June 2020. Born in the Middle East, Tessa moved to England in her teens where she attended boarding school for girls before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship for one year. She worked in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker.
Buy the book!
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Daughter of Rome is available wherever books are sold.
Disclaimer: I received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed here are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, part 255 Guidelines, concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.