Women of the Bible: Leah

I read this book when it first came out and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. Growing up, I loved to read books about women of the Bible and although I don't think this book is the most historically accurate book out there it makes the people more real. Many times, the women are confined to a couple of verses, and perhaps they had a greater impact on history than the Bible lets on. Lois Erickson also wrote "Zipporah" about the wife of Moses. Definitely recommend this book.

My recommendation of this novel is strong; my complaints are few. This was a very moving portrait of Leah and a surprisingly positive one of Laban. Never has it been suggested by any author or critic that Laban cared for either of his daughters; often he is portrayed as a rank opportunist. In this book he seems to care about Leah, be grateful to her for her household management. He actually describes her as his favorite child and say she takes after him. (I don't really agree with the last point. Rachel is more like her father in the Holy Scriptures). The reader may even wonder at Leah's decision to go with Jacob at the end and at her love for Jacob in the first place. Even before the night of the substitution, he does not like her very much or at best is indifferent to her. Lois Erickson should have dealt with the before and after of the story, with what drove Jacob to Haran in the first place, and the lives of Jacob and his family after they departed from Laban. Jacob really has no right to be angry with Leah; he pulled a similar deception on his father and brother, after all. Moreover, it would be interesting to see if his relationship with Leah improved in the years after Rachel's death. The most disappointing thing, though, was the lack of description of Leah's strong relationship with God. That, I believe, is the true love of Leah's life. One critic calls it the secret of her survival, and it is barely touched on here. Still I do recommend this book. I noticed that a lot of description is given to environment and the culture of Old Testament times which readers may find very interesting.

While visiting friends in Key West, I read this book and was absolutely thrilled by the detail and imagination. You will never see Jacob and Rachel the same. I realize that Jacob was not the victim, but Leah was. Imagine your little sister marrying before you. Imagine a father with two daughters - the youngest being favored by men and the oldest having trouble just getting a date. READ THIS BOOK! It's heart warming. I am reading every book by Lois Erickson because of this one... Thanks!

this book brought a tear to my eye, you see i to have a girlfriend called leah. i love her deeply and madly. i like to romance her by an open fire. i could really relate to this book and i intend to use some of the experiences that leah's lover riccardo displayed in this novel. it is well written and i just want the hole world to know that i love leah. i have even written a poem love is leah leah is me leah is happiness hapiness is beautiful. leah i love you will you marry me! love rich p.s. you give great blowies