The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith Book Review

 ABOUT THE BOOK

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith bring her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture--a story of jealousy, betrayal, and reconciliation that only God could bring about.

MY BOOK REVIEW

I am usually not a fan of books that try to write a story about people in the Holy Bible, but this one I was really excited about because it is about Joseph. Joesph's story is one of my favorite stories in the Holy Bible and one of my favorite musicals especially when Donny Osmand plays Joseph. LOL. Anyways, back to the book review. 

It arrived and I started reading it. Sadly, for me I found it to move very slow. I just had a hard time getting into the story and into Joseph's life. Jill Eileen Smith did her research and put a lot of details in it. It could just be me. When it comes to Christian books on the Holy Bible I have a hard time getting into it. It could be because I am not fluent in the Holy Bible. Just because I am not fluent in the Holy Bible doesn't mean I don't believe in God and Jesus. All my life I have dealt with dyslexia and my dyslexia has made it really hard for me to understand the Bible. Yes, there are tools out there to help me understand it, and let me tell you I have used them. Anyways, I was really hoping this book would go beyond what we know from the Holy Bible even if it may not be fully true since this is fiction. This is how I feel you may not feel that same way and that is okay.  I truly saw how hard Jill Eileen Smith tried to stick with cultural accuracy and historical context. There were some interesting romance chapters. Those chapters talked about newlyweds taking off their clothes and prostitutes. 

Did this book flow well? For me, it moved way too slowly. It was great that Judah's story was also being told alongside Joseph. I wasn't a fan of how she portrayed Joesph.  It was an interesting read. Sadly, most of it for me dragged. There were so many characters in the book. Lots of POVs - Reuben, Jacob, Dinah, Kaella, Asenath, Judah, Joseph, and a few others. Smith focuses on Tamar a lot. Her character was defined and actually relatable. I felt for her. Jill Eileen Smith captured the true essence of Joseph. She showed his heart, his journey to forgiveness, and his relationship with God. This would be a great book to read for a Bible Study group. If you love the stories of the Holy Bible then this would be a great book for you. 

"I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King, Star of Persia: Esther's Story, and Miriam's Song. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.