363 books
—
574 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Land of Silence” as Want to Read:
Land of Silence
by
Before Christ called her daughter . . .
Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .
Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her ta ...more
Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .
Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her ta ...more
Hardcover, 390 pages
Published
May 1st 2016
by Tyndale House Publishers
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Land of Silence,
please sign up.
Recent Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Land of Silence
May 02, 2018
Shantelle
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
adult,
five-star,
historical,
read-in-2018,
christian-fiction,
reviewed,
ancient-times,
on-my-bookshelf,
romance
Tessa Afshar writes such marvelous stories! I haven't loved all her novels, but I feel Bread of Angels and now Land of Silence are absolutely incredible. The writing style, the characters and the authenticity of their world, the faith ... it all draws me in and I find myself hardly able to put the book down! Ah, I was so excited to read another book by this author, and Land of Silence did not disappoint. Tessa Afshar, along with Connilyn Cossette, is a master at writing Biblical historical novel
...more
I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she w
...more
Land of Silence was an excellent book. I was drawn to this story for a few reasons; One, It was written by Tessa Afshar! Two, The main character is based on one of my favorite accounts of Jesus, the woman with the issue of blood. Tessa did a wonderful job of fleshing out the back story of this woman. Which in itself is so amazing, because there was so limited info about the woman. I guess that's where prayer and creativity comes in. :-)
Tessa really captured the history, Law, and culture of t ...more
Tessa Afshar is such a talent with Biblical Fiction. This beautifully told story was filled with hardship. I thought of Job as I read Elianna's story. The length of time and magnitude of tragedies were well beyond what the average person could endure. Elianna is a character to revere. Likewise, for the main male character Ethan. Ethan was a compassionate, loving and strong man.
I highly recommend this novel for fans of Biblical Fiction. ...more
I highly recommend this novel for fans of Biblical Fiction. ...more
I enjoyed this book of Christian historical fiction. It tells the story of the woman subject to bleeding for 12 years mentioned in 3 of the Gospel accounts. Most of the details are obviously fictional as we know little about her other than her medical condition and Jesus' healing of her.
The story was full of twists and turns and kept my interest. It was easy to read with explanations for all of the cultural issues that arose in the narrative.
The book is mostly clean--free of bad language, there ...more
The story was full of twists and turns and kept my interest. It was easy to read with explanations for all of the cultural issues that arose in the narrative.
The book is mostly clean--free of bad language, there ...more
I cannot tell you how good this book is. You will have such a connection with the main character and what she goes through with her family and her soon to be husband. She sacrifices she makes for those she makes for those she loves. Then she get the curse of bleeding for 11 years. I cried like a baby throughout this book. I was amazing. One of my favorites of this year!! It is a must read for all who loves Biblical Fiction or just loves Christian Fiction. Highly recommend!!
Not being fan of Biblical fiction in the past, I was skeptical when I picked up this book but I loved it! The author did such a beautiful job bringing the setting and characters to life! The spiritual aspects are so touching. This novel is wonderful. I highly recommend it!
This is quite frankly one of the best historical novels that I have ever read. I think what makes this so good is that Tessa Afshar was born in Iran, grew up in a nominal Muslim Family and later moved to the West and came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
She brings a very fresh look at Biblical stories and also brings a great understanding of Anthropology and Sociology in regards to the Biblical Times when Jesus Christ walked the shores of Galilee.
In this story we trace the life of a ...more
She brings a very fresh look at Biblical stories and also brings a great understanding of Anthropology and Sociology in regards to the Biblical Times when Jesus Christ walked the shores of Galilee.
In this story we trace the life of a ...more
Every book I have read by Tessa Afshar has fascinated me, and Land of Silence is no exception. With her talent for storytelling and attention to historical detail, Afshar provides depth and perspective in this emotionally-gripping novel to the story of a woman miraculously healed by Jesus. Land of Silence is one book that any fan of biblical fiction should read.
A teenaged girl growing up in Jerusalem, Elianna is bright, creative, and stubborn and looks forward to a promising future—until circums ...more
A teenaged girl growing up in Jerusalem, Elianna is bright, creative, and stubborn and looks forward to a promising future—until circums ...more
my goodness, what a journey! i absolutely loved this book. though it does have some pretty heavy content, knowing that she was to have a happy ending kept me reading because I couldn't wait to see how it all resolved. Ms. Afshar handled even this incredibly minor character with such care and added a depth to her that I originally really didn't think much about. the writing was captivating and clear, and I really enjoyed the cultural context given within the story. reading Elianna's interaction w
...more
Rich in descriptive prose and emotionally supercharged, Tessa Afshar’s latest novel Land of Silence takes biblical fiction to new heights. Derived from a story that graces three of the four canonical gospels, Afshar puts flesh and bone on the woman with the issue of blood. Elainna’s story proclaims how we all possess worth in Christ and by Him we are made whole and well.
Following the death of her brother, 16 year old Elianna becomes imprisoned by her shame as well as her father’s grief. Like qui ...more
Following the death of her brother, 16 year old Elianna becomes imprisoned by her shame as well as her father’s grief. Like qui ...more
I experienced so many emotions while reading "Land of Silence" by Tessa Afshar. Tessa's writing style is beautiful and unique. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. This book is a biblical fiction retelling of the woman who suffered with an issue of blood in scripture. I came to know Elianna as this woman. Tessa definitely gained inspiration from that biblical story. It has always been one of my favorite Bible stories. Anyone who knows the story, knows that it is a powerful story that is als
...more
I have always stayed away from reading biblical fiction because I didn't want it to skew how I read the Bible. I am so glad I read this though and look forward to reading more. I came away with a better understanding of the cultures and laws that varied between the Jews and Romans. It taught me a lot about the work that went into dyeing and creating fabrics. It was all very fascinating. Although, I found the middle of the story to slow down in pace, I appreciated that the author took the time to
...more
4 1/2 stars.
Content: Near rape scene. The MC is grabbed and groped. There are several scenes of one jerk forcing her to kiss and being rough with her. Lots of angst, sorrow and loss. Stressful scenes involving Elianna’s illness, barbaric treatments for it and several skimmed over physical examinations.
Note: I did feel there was historical inaccuracy in how Elianna and Ethan kissed/hugged/cuddled before marriage. While a Jewish betrothal meant much more than the weddings engagements that we are ...more
Content: Near rape scene. The MC is grabbed and groped. There are several scenes of one jerk forcing her to kiss and being rough with her. Lots of angst, sorrow and loss. Stressful scenes involving Elianna’s illness, barbaric treatments for it and several skimmed over physical examinations.
Note: I did feel there was historical inaccuracy in how Elianna and Ethan kissed/hugged/cuddled before marriage. While a Jewish betrothal meant much more than the weddings engagements that we are ...more
This story grabbed my heart from the beginning, “When I think of the ruin my life has become, the slow wrecking of the dreams, the destruction of every love, I always return to the bee. That one tiny sting, which robbed my place of favor in my father’s heart and changed the course of my destiny.”
Oh, wow, I was hooked. This author pens a compelling thought-provoking novel that encouraged and touched my soul. I like the author notes to readers when she shares that nothing is known about the woman ...more
Oh, wow, I was hooked. This author pens a compelling thought-provoking novel that encouraged and touched my soul. I like the author notes to readers when she shares that nothing is known about the woman ...more
Another great offering from the writer of Pearl in the Sand. Tessa Afshar has taken the short reference to the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, and given this woman a name, a life and a story. Now her name is Elianna, favored by God, but instead of God's favor, Elianna feels cursed. Her young life is full of guilt, sorrow, and rejection from the people who mattered the most, and even running her father's workshop, creating new designs and sourcing new dyes, can only dull the pain.
As ...more
As ...more
Oh my goodness, how much does one woman have to endure? A beautiful story of the woman from the New Testament who had an issue of blood that only Jesus could heal. ThIs is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend it.
Land of Silence is by Tessa Afshar.
I decided to pick up this book after I saw a book signing event with Afshar that was happening in my area. Unfortunately, I was going on vacation on the day it was happening, but I still finished the book.
I liked the cameo with Lydia (seller of purple cloth!). I was named after this Bible character and I think she's a great role model. So reading about her was fun. I also liked Joanna being in there because my little sister is named after her, although I di ...more
I decided to pick up this book after I saw a book signing event with Afshar that was happening in my area. Unfortunately, I was going on vacation on the day it was happening, but I still finished the book.
I liked the cameo with Lydia (seller of purple cloth!). I was named after this Bible character and I think she's a great role model. So reading about her was fun. I also liked Joanna being in there because my little sister is named after her, although I di ...more
Not often do I give a book 5 stars but this one book was so intriguing, captivating and so touching. I have always been curious about the woman with the issue of blood who was healed simply by touching Jesus' robe. The author did a superb job of using fact and blending "what could have happened" without losing spiritual integrity. I think that I have found a Christian author who writes with a depth that I enjoy, especially Christian fiction.
...more
A MILLION stars!!!
Tessa Afshar is a talented Biblical fiction writer. She took a short passage from the Bible and wove a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness, and hope.
This is my second book by her, and it won't be the last!
...more
This is my second book by her, and it won't be the last!
...more
The minutes after I finished this book it was five stars, but I didn't get to review it right away and took a day to think it over. It lowered to four stars, but still a good book.
•Things I liked
I liked Ethan. So much. He's perfection.
I liked Joseph too, even though we only knew him for like the first chapter.
I liked the era and the way that the surroundings were written. I felt like it was actually a real place. Which it was. XD
I liked the healing. I loved Jesus. I wish he was in this book m ...more
•Things I liked
I liked Ethan. So much. He's perfection.
I liked Joseph too, even though we only knew him for like the first chapter.
I liked the era and the way that the surroundings were written. I felt like it was actually a real place. Which it was. XD
I liked the healing. I loved Jesus. I wish he was in this book m ...more
This is one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read. God is SO much more than my puny brain could ever comprehend. What a perfect, well-written story. I most appreciate that something that takes a few lines in the Bible has now be blown wide open. God is love. This book is amazing. I highly recommend this novel.
Sep 21, 2018
~Bellegirl91~
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
my-books-i-own,
bible-book-of-mormon-fiction
I read this book as a recommendation all because a friend of mine said that I should read this book and she seemed pretty adamant that I did and I ended up ordering a used (and very good) copy of it from thriftbooks online and I'm so glad I didn't wait to put this book on hold for so long and picked it up when I did. I loved loved LOOOOVED this book so much and did some serious binge reading too. But I have to say my friend was amazing enough to truly recommend this to me and I'm truly glad she
...more
Aug 02, 2020
Stephanie Fitzgerald
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Readers of historical fiction
Shelves:
four-and-five-stars,
reviewed-on-goodreads
I love it when an author takes a scene from the Bible and “fleshes it out”! In this case, the scene was the one of the woman being healed of her illness by touching the hem of Christ’s robe. Tessa Afshar took this obscure character, whose personal story is unknown outside of the sickness she suffered and her miraculous healing, and filled the “blank canvas” with a fictional account of this woman’s life.
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 381)-“The only time Jesus addresses a woman as “daughter” is in the stor ...more
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 381)-“The only time Jesus addresses a woman as “daughter” is in the stor ...more
Tessa Afshar can knock Christian fiction out of the park. I think my heart is still recovering. Afshar brings to life the story of the woman with bleeding, who by a journey of faith, could be healed by touching the hem of Jesus cloak.
So much sad emotion, yet enjoyable story. We are carried through long-standing suffering, relationships broken and healed. Redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
Afshar writes such strong "what if it really happened this way" stories. I highly recommend to fans of ...more
So much sad emotion, yet enjoyable story. We are carried through long-standing suffering, relationships broken and healed. Redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
Afshar writes such strong "what if it really happened this way" stories. I highly recommend to fans of ...more
After reading one Tessa Afshar book that I enjoyed, I decided to pick up another, not realizing I had digitally borrowed the audio version of Land of Silence . But since I had, I want to say kudos to the narrator. Pleasant voice, and it was read so well. I could envision each character clearly, and each inflection and emotion were true to the book's intention. I'd definitely listen to Suzy Jackson again, happily.
The story was about the life of young Jewish girl in Judea, Elianna, from age 18 to ...more
The story was about the life of young Jewish girl in Judea, Elianna, from age 18 to ...more
If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. (Psalm 94:17 ESV)
Land of Silence is the first book I’ve read by Tessa Afshar. Her writing style is superb, and she moves the story forward with purpose and an elegant smoothness.
Although little is said in the Gospels about the woman with the twelve-year bleeding issue, Ms. Afshar gives a compassionate, fictional account of her life prior to the miracle of healing that occurred as she reached out in faith ...more
Tessa Afshar has long been one of my favourite authors, and so I met the news of her latest novel, "Land of Silence", with excitement. And let me tell you that this novel certainly lived up to my expectations! I have long been fascinated by the Biblical account of Jesus healing the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, but I've never spent much time thinking about how she came to the place of reaching out in the crowd to touch Jesus' cloak, desperate for a healing. Afshar has succeeded at br ...more
Jul 12, 2019
Hannah Joy S.
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biblical-fiction,
favourite-books-ever
For my second biblical fiction read, I'd say this was a success and I am definitely going to read more from this author.
The characters(Elianna, Ethan, Joanna, Viriato, Claudia...etc.) were all fabulously done. As the reader, you feel their hardships and their joys.
Elianna, and the people surrounding her all face trial upon trial until in the end...well I cannot say because spoilers! But speaking of the ending! The ending is all too wonderful.
Tessa's well researched descriptions of the textile t ...more
The characters(Elianna, Ethan, Joanna, Viriato, Claudia...etc.) were all fabulously done. As the reader, you feel their hardships and their joys.
Elianna, and the people surrounding her all face trial upon trial until in the end...well I cannot say because spoilers! But speaking of the ending! The ending is all too wonderful.
Tessa's well researched descriptions of the textile t ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 2 | 6 | Jun 25, 2018 10:23AM | |
| Christian Fiction...: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar - April Group Buddy Read | 48 | 59 | May 15, 2017 04:00PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Tessa Afshar is an award-winning author of historical and biblical fiction. Her novel, Land of Silence, won an Inspy award, and was voted by Library Journal as one of five top Christian Fiction titles of 2016. It was also nominated for the 2016 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Inspirational Romance. Harvest of Gold won the prestigious 2014 Christy Award in the Historical Romance category. Her b
...more
Related Articles
As this strange summer of staying put winds down, one thing remains truer than ever: Books offer us endless adventure and new horizons to...
57 likes · 30 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“How can you be so accepting? How is it that you are not screaming with frustration?"
"I've been spending more time in prayer. I am learning that obedience to God means that you do not put your eyes on your longings, but instead, you simply place one foot ahead of the other into the space that the Lord opens. Tired, wounded, overwhelmed. It does not matter. You merely keep moving where God directs and stop focusing on what you wish you had. It's teaching me patience.”
—
2 likes
"I've been spending more time in prayer. I am learning that obedience to God means that you do not put your eyes on your longings, but instead, you simply place one foot ahead of the other into the space that the Lord opens. Tired, wounded, overwhelmed. It does not matter. You merely keep moving where God directs and stop focusing on what you wish you had. It's teaching me patience.”
“How great an anguish is hope! For when it disappoints, it ruptures old wounds and gouges out new ones, so that you are left worse off than when you began.”
—
2 likes
More quotes…
