The Scarlet Thread
by Francine RiversSign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 988)
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
Any females interested in romance
I was recommended to read it and was told I would not be disappointed, and after reading it I discovered my new favorite book. Francine Rivers is a Christian author, making the books’ characters and their journey with God something easy to relate to. Despite it being a long book,the book always left me wondering what was to come next which made reading it enjoyable. I also really learned a lot more about life and psychology and spirituality.
The Book is about a young woman named Sierra Madr...more
The Book is about a young woman named Sierra Madr...more
Like this review?
yes
2 comments
Read in March, 2008
Tonite's read was another Francine Rivers' novel, The Scarlet Thread which is about two women in the same family, several generations removed. The modern day one is reading the journal of the one from the 1800's. The book begins with the modern day woman's life undergoing huge change and it ends with her seeing the hand of God in all the pain she underwent during the course of the book. My only beef with the book is that the main character's husband is Catholic (nominally so only in most of the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
I just read this book for the second time - I think it's a good portrayal of what can happen in a marriage when both parties are selfish. However, there's got to be some way that people can talk about finding God in their lives without being completely cliche. It's frustrating to be reading along and enjoying the book when suddenly, WHAM, there's a phrase that just makes you groan.
One of Rivers' (as well as many other "inspirational fiction" writers) trademarks is using one phrase...more
One of Rivers' (as well as many other "inspirational fiction" writers) trademarks is using one phrase...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
There were two irritating qualities associated with this book. First, the double narration between two eras that runs parallel throughout the book. Secondly, the dropped ending when everyone is forgiven and past adultery forgotten because of a storyline revealed in red threads of a quilt. The quilt isn't a main storyline and to use it as a symbol of forgiveness and redemption was a gap to far for me to cross.
Thus said, I was proud of how the main female character picked up her shattered li...more
Thus said, I was proud of how the main female character picked up her shattered li...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
I thought this book has a great lesson about love and forgiveness. I also loved the fact that the mother of the main character was able to instill some solid Biblical values in her daughter. Her daughter (the main charater) had to learn to follow her husband however, that was not her heart in the beginning. This caused division; sin separated her from God; sin separate her husband from their marriage and she was left alone. Eventually, she cried out to God for help and He answered.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I had a hard time putting this book down. Sometimes it was a little difficult as it transitions back and forth throughout the entire book from the history behind the quilt to the modern day. Your mind is continually going back and forth from a woman on a Western wagon train migration and the perils she encounters to the woman who has inherited the quilt and the modern problems she is having to overcome.
Well-written, sad in places, but overall I found it heart-warming!
Well-written, sad in places, but overall I found it heart-warming!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2008
I enjoyed the set-up of this book with two intertwining plot lines, one historical and the other modern-day. The characters in both were easy to identify with. Although the story was somewhat predictable, I felt that it was heartwarming with a strong Christian message. This book struck a personal chord with me since I have recently experienced a cross-country move like these women, so the themes were even more meaningful.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2008
recommended to Lorihodge by:
My daughter
That God can restore even the most dead relationship when we turn it over to Him and let go. It is amazing how God works, and who he uses to complete His plan. My daughter gave me this book to read. I have passed it on the daughter #4. I think all of my girls need to read this one. It's pretty much our story! Only with a different ending. At least for now. I don't know what plan God has. But I know He has one!!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I love Francine Rivers and while I enjoyed this book, it's not one of my favorites. I find it really carries on in the beginning, becoming repetitious and failing to move forward. I find myself truly angry with the characters and frustrated as I want to see them growing and changing. I find it a worthwhile read and I enjoyed the play between the past and present, but probably not one I'll read again.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in May, 2008
I believe it's always difficult to maintain two separate plotlines throughout a book and somehow link them together. Rivers manages to accomplish this - I had an equal interest in both. She presents a very realistic scenario of two marriages troubled and destructive and manages to bring the story to a close in a believeable way. I've always loved all her books but this one deserves special mention.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 1999
The intertwining of the modern day with history, linking two women across the ages, made for a gripping read. I loved the historicity and realicity as a discription of the difficulties of life was embraced rather than played down or exagerrated. The novel truly engaged with the emotions of the characters, so when their hearts broke so did yours, and when they fell in love, so did you!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2004
I like the premise and Sierra is one of my favorite modern-day heroines. However, the counterpoint of Mary Katherine's journal often feels forced. And since Sierra was a much more compelling character, it was far too easy to brush Mary Katherine's sections aside. Even though Mary Katherine's emotions mirrored Sierra's, it was hard to see her final prayer eliciting such emotion.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Another book lent to my by my mother-in-law. I remember this book being a page turner for me, and very ingaging. I always struggle with books that attempt to romantisize Christianity. I don't know why. I liked it plenty but those parts in books always feel so awkward. However- I still remember loving the book, and felt it wouldn't have been quite the same without them.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Okay I have to admit that I read this book so long ago that I don't remember exactly what happened but I do know when I read it I loved it. If it had been my book I would have reread it a few times by now! Francie Rivers is an author that knows to take a concept and develop characters that you feel like you can relate to. I would highly recommend this book!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2001
recommends it for:
Anyone
This was the very first Francine Rivers book I ever read. At first it took some time to read, but soon I was into it. By the end of the story...I was hooked on Francine Rivers as an author. She uses language and symbolism in her books that draws you in deeper. It starts like the out parts of a web and as you go deeper into it; you are caught!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2008
This is a very good book that combines romance, adventure and faith in God wrapped up in one. God can work in ones life even though they may not truely believe in Him. He uses all kinds of situations to draw one to Him. Sometimes you need to go through the valleys in life to realize that. I am hanging on to this book awhile! Need this reminder....
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2005
Another wonderful book by Francine Rivers. This book has two stories going on simultaneously. The transition between time periods/tales was wonderfully done. I have never seen it done this well before. I was hooked on both tales.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in January, 2005
Ouch! I read this one shortly after having been through some of the same marital struggles. It helped with the healing some and made it all the more poignant to me. I loved the book reading in today's modern world and then transitioning into the wagon-riding, old west days.
One of my favorites of Francine Rivers.
One of my favorites of Francine Rivers.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1996
This book was powerful and painful to read. It consists of two stories interwound. I can't say I enjoyed the past as well as the present but the book is so worth reading. If you've never experienced heartache or disappointment in your relationship, it may be too much, but I personally gleaned so much from this novel.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
I love Francine Rivers' Christian novels. They are uplifting to the spirit to read, no matter where you are in your Christian journey. It helps to read the struggles of others to see how they learn from their mistakes and draw themselves and others closer to God. It's not an easy journey, but it's worth it!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
