Book #23: Rachel and Leah: Women of Genesis

Title: Rachel and Leah: Women of Genesis


Author: Orson Scott Card


Ok, I'll admit it. The main reason why I read these biblical-historical-fiction books is to assuage my guilt over not reading my scriptures as often as I should. To a certain degree, I think it's a good way to get me motivated to read the scriptures. I mean, ever since I read Rebekah (about three weeks ago), I've been meaning to go back to Genesis and read the whole Sarah-Hagar-Rebekah-Rachel-Leah-Bilhah-Zilpah soap opera in its entirety to see which parts come from Card's imagination and which parts are scriptural. I mean, was Leah really "tender eyed" (mostly blind)? Did Jacob really kiss Rachel the first time they met? Did she really get visions? It would be useful to know. One day, I'll get to reading the King James version, I'm sure. But probably not today.


When I do read the scriptures, I'm more of a skim it and get on with life kind of reader, but reading stories like Rachel and Leah makes me want to be a more thoughtful reader. Card really makes the story come to life, even if it's not a completely accurate version. I've been basing my knowledge of Rachel and Leah and Jacob on what I learned in seminary 15 years ago and what I hear every freaking day when my kids listen to the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat cd, which puts a remarkably different spin on things from what we read in this novel.


While I love the book for reigniting my desire to immerse myself in the Old Testament, I would be lying to you if I didn't say that Card's prose sometimes grates on my nerves. One of the things he does that annoys me most is that he tends to put modern expressions in the mouths of his biblical characters. I actually laughed out loud when Laban (Leah and Rachel's father) said, "But with two wives going at it with Jacob..." (emphasis added). Going at it? Is that a phrase from biblical times? It seems very 21st century to me.


Even though the writing annoys me at times, I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the series (when they finally get to "go at it") and one day I'll break open the Book of Genesis and get the straight story.


--originally posted 4/20/06