A Book Review of Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Francine Rivers really tugs at the heart strings with this book. It has so many beautiful pictures for the reader and just as many lessons to apply to anyone's life. The main characters are the focus, but every character in this book has a story to pay attention to. Each story connects to the theme and every moment you are on edge to see what will happen next.

The prologue was very important to understanding this story. Sarah lived in a nice little cottage in the country with her mother. Slowly though, Sarah's mother loses a grip on her reality. When she finds out that her daughter's father does not want anything to do with the child, it causes her to make some very poor decisions. Her “love” for the man became her curse and when he left for good, so did her life. She and Sarah move to the docks and her mother slowly drinks herself to death. Sarah is sold into sex slavery, to a man named Duke. Truly, utter evil is not a good enough way to describe Duke. He would be a part of the whole story, not physically but his presence.

Angel, formerly Sarah, knew nothing else but pleasing men, for a price at least. Ever since her night with Duke, all she had was her looks and "skills". She was hopeless, emotionless and bare but what else did she have? Angel is the perfect picture of any sinner. The devil, in this case Duke, has his clutches on those who are weak. It is a “quicksand" effect of spiraling deeper into a particular sin. Every non-believer has this tendency, even if they do not acknowledge it. Angel knows what state she is in, but why leave the only thing she knows? It is a sad prospect to see a man or woman so deep in sin that they become comfortable. Not just ignoring, but comfort.

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Michael Hosea is introduced very simply in this book, a farmer selling his produce. He is a pure man's man to the core. He feared God and loved people like he has been loved. When he sees Angel the first time, his reaction is contrary to the rest of his story, he is timid. Nervous, he spends half an hour with Angel, for the price, and just talks to her. It throws Angel off, not off her tricks but her mental state.

Michael, while great, shows plenty of emotions throughout. His anger is kindled against Angel, Paul, Duke, Magwon...just blind rage at times. He cries, uncontrollably at times, at the reading of scripture. He laughs at simple things that bring joy to his heart. Michael is what every man should strive to be. Not necessarily the raw strength, although that would be pretty cool. There is purity in his steps. He leads his home in the fear of the Lord, even if Angel is reluctant. Everything he views, he sees the majesty of God. Michael is Christ, I think, in this picture. He is always there for those who need him and the strength we need when our battles seem unending.

Paul is Michael's brother-in-law. He, throughout the book, is the village idiot. When he returns from the rush there is no forgiveness. He sees Angel as a cancer on Michael. Every word he spouts out is poison and he gives no ground for change. He becomes a slime-ball character in your mind over time. Paul is the “holier than thou” church member. Everything he does is justified, anyone who says they have changed is lying and anything against his friends is a threat. Paul teaches another lesson in planning.

When Angel leaves the last time, there is a plan in place. Michael is supposed to marry Miriam. Paul was doing his best to avoid what God placed into his life, the way of getting over Tessie. But, even with all his struggles, Miriam gets Paul to confess his love and they are married. All that to say... there is no decision that God cannot change. Paul ends up changing his selfish attitude when he sees the change in Angel. Anyone can be redeemed.

Then there is Duke, the dark voice throughout the entire book that still has severe control over Angel's life thousands of miles away. Duke is pure evil to the core. He does anything he can to gain leverage or degrade his "property". There is no redeeming quality of Duke. His manipulation is sick and twisted. Sin is Duke. He haunts you, tears you down and uses all of your weaknesses against you. Evil just begets more evil. I heard a very true saying, "sin will take you farther than you want to go, hang out longer than you want to say, and cost more than you want to pay."

The best picture from the book though was the very end. Sarah is reborn and Michael accepts her. She is redeemed through Michael's life and action. She feels love and joy. This book shows anyone, no matter their circumstances, has a chance of redemption in Christ's love.

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