A Love Divine

by Alexandra Ripley

The sea called to Joseph of Arimathea the way a woman calls to her lover. From the time he was twelve years old, he could not resist his desire to sail for distant horizons. He had one other Sarah, a dark-haired sprite of a woman whom he had loved from his childhood days. As a Jew during the Roman occupation of Palestine, Joseph would have to fight for both his loves.
Combining impeccable historical research with a story of incredible power, Alexandra Ripley re-creates Joseph of Arimathea's life and times. From the dusty roads of Palestine to the marble palaces of Rome to the fierce barbarian villages of ancient Britain, Joseph journeys toward destiny. He will nearly lose Sarah in a forced marriage to another, play a dangerous game of intrigue with Herod and Salome, and - in a moment that would change his life and that of his crippled daughter, Helena - meet the man called Jesus of Nazareth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Biblical Fiction

712 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Alexandra Ripley was an American writer best known as the author of Scarlett, the sequel to Gone with the Wind. Her first novel was Who's the Lady in the President's Bed?. Charleston, her first historical novel, was a bestseller, as were her next books On Leaving Charleston, The Time Returns, and New Orleans Legacy. Scarlett received some bad reviews, but was very successful nonetheless. She attended the elite Ashley Hall, in Charleston, South Carolina, and Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

She died in Richmond, Virginia, and is survived by two daughters from her first marriage to Leonard Ripley, a son in law and granddaughter, Alexandra Elizabeth.

Ripley has also published works under the name B.K. Ripley.

Reviews

[Della Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is a remarkable piece of historical fiction, one of the greatest I have ever read. The sheer research and work that went into its creation is staggering. It is a triumph!

This book tells the story of Joseph of Arimathea who is most noted for giving his tomb to bury the body of Jesus after crucifixion.

On children: “Their needs give you strength you didn’t know you possessed” (25).

On hatred: “I don’t do much hating…I’d rather use that time and energy for something that’ll give me pleasure” (159).

On the past: “The past is past. You cannot change it. The only thing a man or a woman has is the future. There may be little of that, there may be much. It is the arena for action. Perhaps even for change, if that is what you desire” (165).

On time: “Time, he was beginning to understand, was the irreplaceable element in a man’s life. That made it extremely valuable” (355).

[Maryellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fictionalized account of what the life of Joseph of Armiethea might have been like.

[Brenda Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. I have given several copies away as gifts.

[Jenni Tavares · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite reads

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

FEBRUARY 2025 - I’m glad I finally finished this huge book. I feel like it could have been about 475 pages shorter because Jesus didn’t even enter the picture until page 500. There was waaaaayyyyyy too much backstory, in my opinion. It was surprising to learn that there had once been a Jewish law stating that if a couple had no children after 10 years of marriage, they were required to divorce, and the man would remarry in order to have children. Horrible!

[Alana Bleness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful characterization of a little-known early Christian figure, spanning the length of his life. There are some rather graphic sex scenes, and don't look here for good relationship advice; but all told, Ripley does a good job of showing a flawed character trying be virtuous, without it becoming either syrupy or morbid.

[Rebecca M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book so treasured that when I lent it to someone to read, only to never receive it once they completed the book….. I spent years looking for another copy each time I happened to be in a second-hand book store. I finally found another copy, which makes me so happy because of all of the books that I have ever read, this book is far and away my favorite. Fictional in nature, biblical history, an unbelievable journey of Joseph of Arimathea. Although the book is long, you somehow do not want the story to end.

[Jo F · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and Scarlett are two of my favorites by Mrs. Ripley. Both are feats due to their depth of characters, true historical context, and unwavering, consistent, readable storytelling. There are no weak areas. Just notable effort on her part. The story starts with Joseph at 10 yrs of age. He is adventurous and loves the sea so becomes a wealthy trader. He is a good man all of his life and has access to the historical Kings, emperors and other notable figures ie Ptolemy, Salome, the many Herods, Homer. Full of insightful truths as a good book is.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after it was first published in 1996 (checked out from library) and LOVED it! I happily purchased a signed copy when I happened upon it in a book store several years later. A quarter of a century later, I have to admit that while I still really like it, the ending was a bit abrupt and Joseph’s relationship with his wife, Sarah was just a little too perfect; fantastical, honestly.

But as an historical fiction, amazingly well researched and very well well.

[Lisa Taillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly beautiful tale of the man we know from the bible as Joseph of Arimethea. Ripley draws a character who is believable and has the required depth of a man who stood at a pivotal point of history, and went forward in faith.

[Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. It kept getting cheesier and cheesier and when it took the turn to become VERY evangelical, it totally lost me. I know history and I felt the author took the easy way out delving into myth and religion from today's point of view.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting historical novel/biography of the life of Joseph of Arimathea.

[Romina Krawczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo leí hace unos 21 años, recuerdo que me había gustado, aunque de a momentos se me hacía pesada o lenta la trama. Lo recomiendo para leer con tiempo, es buena la historia.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many years ago. Remembered that I loved it--probably four stars, maybe 3.5, hard to remember now. This was the first ever historical/biblical fiction book I ever read. It put Christ into his very revolutionary time period and put into context some of the words he said--giving them a deeper meaning. But mostly it was about Joseph of Arimithea and his relationship with and love for his handicapped daughter. It combines biblical history with legend. I was absolutely entranced by this story. Lots of history. Kind of long, but wonderful if that is your thing. --Alexandra Ripley was also the person who won the writing contest that gave the opportunity to publish "Scarlett," the sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book of sorts. Well - biblical fiction... if that's even a term. It is the historically accurate (but mostly imagined) story of Joseph of Arimathea - the man who gave up his tomb so that Jesus could be buried there. Jesus, however, plays a very small part in the book. The story is about Joseph's rise to wealth and power, and his undying love for his wife. It is a true love story filled with beautiful imagery, and was a pleasure to read.

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Divine was a warm discovery of a new author. Ripley sifts through the instrument of history and myriad details from her own imagination, creating a powdery, wispy coating that shines like icing on a cake. Joseph of Arimathea is the central character. It is wonderful that Ripley does not get bogged down by the story known so well to all but rather makes Joseph her wonderful focus. Beautifully done.

[Leila Kheiry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, because I'd forgotten to bring one with me for the trip. I expected a romance novel, from the title. It was surprisingly good, and interesting. I love historical fiction. It gets a little too preachy near the end after Jesus appears, but that was kind of expected, considering the subject matter.

[pianogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Ripley, but still worth reading.

[Lisa Wang]

A wonderful love story with biblical history.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly good story. It has a little bit of everything but isn't too much of any genre. Interesting change.

[Andrea Lublink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was long book - but a good story. I like historical fiction, especially with a biblical theme.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simply written, historically interesting, lacking passion.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting account of life in Biblical times

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for those who enjoy historical fiction of Roman/ biblical times. But disliked ending