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It’s been so long since I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It was one of the first Christian-themed novels I ever read.  Her signature style from all those years ago still graces the page in her newest title, The Masterpiece.

This book is MASSIVE at nearly 500 pages.  The cover is beautifully illustrated with sweeping, muted colors and a graceful image of a wing.  The story is about two broken individuals struggling for survival.  Everything screams symbolism in this story — the hot, desert-like environment, isolated home in the middle of nowhere, magazine-worthy house without a family to make it a home…it’s all a metaphor. Supernatural moments were surprising to encounter in this tension-filled romance.

Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with these characters the way I’d hoped.  Due to Grace’s situation as a single mother, she took advantage of a family trying to offer her a home.  I felt resentful of her entitlement!  Really, how hard is it to find childcare?!  If she found the living expenses or job market to be too harsh, why not MOVE?

On the other hand, Roman’s success as an artist allowed him too much freedom with his time and actions.  He was almost hedonistic in his behaviors, making it hard for me to want him to become romantically involved with Grace.  Though the big “twist” was so easy to see (even by the first 100 pages), it wasn’t the cathartic moment I expected it to be.  The flashbacks provided by both characters set out the background.  I found it to be too much information by about 100 pages.  It would have been just as well to hear a basic summary through some dialogue or even a getting-to-know-you conversation.

Still, Rivers carried the story with a sweet reminder of God’s enduring love.  Gentle words of encouragement and peace comforted me throughout the story. The fact that I read all of The Masterpiece instead of DNF’ing is a miracle!

Thanks to Tyndale for sending me a copy of the book.