Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar ISBN-13: 9781496414007 Trade Paperback: 394 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: May 1, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother dies 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 talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul?


My Review:
Land of Silence is biblical fiction about the woman of Mark 5 who was "subject to bleeding for twelve years." The author stuck with the facts found in the Bible and then came up with a backstory to explain why Jesus decided to confront her and specifically chose to call her daughter.

I was pleased that the story was historically accurate since it takes an effort to get these details as close to correct as possible. These historical and cultural aspects were woven into the story and helped drive the narrative.

The characters were fully fleshed out and acted like real people. I always understood why Elianna acted as she did in the circumstances, though I could also see the trouble it might bring later. People suffered due to their own poor choices and the bad choices of others. It's a heartbreaking story that brought me to tears several times. But they learn to seek God even in suffering, and, at the very end, Jesus brings healing.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this story, especially to those who feel hurt by their fathers.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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