reviewed by
ANNA C. BOWLING
As we often remember where we were when important life changes happen, I remember a chilly spring weekday morning in 2001, standing outside a strip mall discount store, braving the elements to call a local bookstore on the pay phone to see if they had a copy of Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love. If they did, could they hold it for me until the weekend? I remember the wind and the chill of the wait while the owner went to have a look for me, and the elation of hearing her say that they did and they would.
I had never read Rivers before, though she had a very good reputation in the western romance genre. I wasn’t a western reader for the most part, but from
the review in Romantic Times I had to have this book, and as soon as possible. The original review was not rated, the reviewer classing the book as something of its own. As I skimmed over the review, I found myself drawn like a magnet to the tale of Angel, a working prostitute and Michael, the upright man compelled to give up everything for her.
The story itself is loosely based on the Biblical book of Hosea, though with many surprises of its own. I wanted to see how the story would translate to the western setting, and how Ms. Rivers would flesh out the characters. Most intriguing, though Redeeming Love is now considered a classic of the inspirational romance genre, it was originally sold in the general market as a straight historical romance.
Angel (originally named Sarah) pulled me into her story right from the start; I became the frantic young girl unable to understand why her mother was destroying her own beloved rose garden, feeling helpless amidst the storm of life that can wipe out a child entirely. Angel is not wiped out, though sold into child prostitution and stripped of any security. She hardens herself, doing what she must to survive, knowing nothing is ever free.
There could be no man more opposite Angel than Michael Hosea, a respectable farmer who wants nothing more than to do what God wants – until God tells him to marry Angel. Not just rescue her, but make her his beloved wife, his equal. Michael doubts, he fights, denies. Did he really hear from God, or is he losing his mind? He hesitates, with horrific consequences.
Angel has never met a man like Michael. He wants nothing from her but a love she isn’t sure she can give. Still, he gives her the house of her own she’s always wanted, he doesn’t hurt her, and maybe that’s a start. She stands up to her madam, demanding what she’s earned, an act that nearly results in her death – a death that would be a respite from being stuck in a life with no hope at all.
Michael is aghast to find that his actions have cost Angel so dearly and determines he will make things better. The adjustment is far from a smooth one, with a clash of cultures and sensibilities as they learn to give themselves to each other body and soul. Angel leaves more than once, and the last time, Michael knows he can’t keep rescuing her; she has to choose to return and love him on her own. Can they learn to trust each other, themselves, and even God?
Whatever the reader’s belief system, this is a deep, emotionally intense read that pulls no punches. Saints and sinners both are treated as whole people, with potential to go either way depending on the choices they make. Recently, Ms. Rivers has slightly revised and reissued the book as an inspirational, which may be a more comfortable choice for some readers. Fans of the good guy/bad girl pairing will enjoy Michael and Angel’s journey, and western fans can relish the setting as treated by a true artist. This is the book that showed me a book with inspirational content can be dark and gritty and still uplifting and for me, set the bar for the genre.
