Review: Sarah by Orson Scott Card

From Goodreads:
Sarai was a child of ten years, wise for her age but not yet a woman, when she first met Abram. He appeared before her in her father's house, filthy from the desert, tired and thirsty. But as the dirt of travel was washed from his body, the sight of him filled her heart. And when Abram promises Sarai to return in ten years to take her for his wife, her fate was sealed.

Abram kept his promise, and Sarai kept hers they were wed, and so joined the royal house of Ur with the high priesthood of the Hebrews. So began a lifetime of great joy together, and greater peril: and with the blessing of their God, a great nation would be built around the core of their love.

Bestselling author Orson Scott Card uses his fertile imagination, and uncanny insight into human nature, to tell the story of a unique woman--one who is beautiful, tough, smart, and resourceful in an era when women had little power, and are scarce in the historical record. Sarah, child of the desert, wife of Abraham, takes on vivid reality as a woman desirable to kings, a devoted wife, and a faithful follower of the God of Abraham, chosen to experience an incomparable miracle.

My Thoughts;
I have had this book and the following books in the trilogy sitting on my shelf for several years now, but, with my summer reading challenge, I'm determined to get them read once and for all! So, here is my review!

Sarah was a powerful and enlightening tale for me. My whole life I've been familiar with these biblical tales, and told them in so many varying ways, some with resentment for Sarah, some with indifference, some even painfully judgmental. But OSC does an amazing job bringing the true anguish of a woman who loves a prophet and can't give him children. Sarah is loyal and devoted to the end, even when she is faced with danger, lies, and scorn. Her sister calls her a slave to her husband, but she doesn't see how Sarah's devotion makes the world brighter, and is far from in bondage, but has freedom because Abram trusts her so completely.
I wondered how the issue of Hagar and Ishmael would be handled, and in my opinion, OSC did a beautiful job. He took into account the culture, Sarah's struggle, and even her overwhelming love for Abram and Hagar. Even after Hagar turned on her, Sarah showed nothing but grace and dignity.
Thanks to this book, I'm going to revisit those passages of scripture, and I'll definitely continue the series. My love and respect for Sarah has grown, and I'm eager to learn now of her daughter-in-law Rebekah.