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Liked It4 of 4 members found this review helpful “The story of Adam and Eve is both the oldest and most familiar story known to man. In fact, it is so familiar that we think we know all there is to know. Then along comes a story like Havah that pulls back the veil, giving us a wondrous glimpse into what life might have really been like for the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I'm stuck between a 2-star and 3-star rating of this book. There are aspects of it that I appreciated, but for the most part, I had to force myself to pick it up. If not for the fact that I had promised a friend I would read it, I doubt I would have made it past the first chapter. |
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“Really really really good. I absolutely adored this book! It was sad sometimes, though.”
Sabrina wrote this review Friday, July 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I'm stuck between a 2-star and 3-star rating of this book. There are aspects of it that I appreciated, but for the most part, I had to force myself to pick it up. If not for the fact that I had promised a friend I would read it, I doubt I would have made it past the first chapter.
Dani K wrote this review Monday, June 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The book opens up with a (to me) highly overwritten start. It was hard to see past the writing to the story, a huge failure for me. If bad/irritating technique distracts me from the story, it's jolting and annoying.
How can I put this...? There are words that I appreciate, but when used too often, together, and in certain ways - only serve to give an over-effort feel to the writing. As if the author is trying really, really, really hard to be epic. I shouldn't notice the effort.
Trilled. Milling blue. Sibilant. Percussive. Flotsam. Pulsing. All in the first half page. Polyphony, blue eternity. Skittering. Obsidian. Roiling. And so on.
Again, it's not the words, it's the use of them that keeps jolting me out of my reading experience. It feels too much like a giddy start, using a dictionary of fancy adjectives to pull from.
It's also rare that I can appreciate a retelling of story, by a different author than the original. I had to fight my way past this, telling myself to think of this as just a story about characters I know nothing about. It's similar to seeing a movie edition of a story you know well - you have to keep reminding yourself that a movie is a retelling, not a visual replica.
Anyway, once I pushed past the first quarter of the book, things seemed to settle down. Lee's use of adjective mellowed and the characters started to emerge for me. I never really connected with Havah... perhaps because of my irritation during her introduction? I didn't like Adam or Havah much (or really, most of the characters), and really walked away from the book with less sympathy for them then perhaps the author intended.
It was at least somewhat interesting to read her theory of what could have happened to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. Obviously, much work and thought went into it, and I can appreciate that for sure!
Just, please....when I someday write a book....don't let me use the word "obsidian" that often!”
“Tosca Lee is one of my favorite authors. Her first book, Demon: A Memoir, was one of my favorite reads in 2008. I will say, Havah: The Story of Eve is definitely top runner for my favorite of 2009.
Dineen M wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The author richly layers the characters of Adam and Eve (Havah). Reading this book is like taking a journey not only through the fall of man but the fall of the marriage relationship. Although marriage doesn't exist at this point as a structured covenant, I felt that I was reading the tragedy of what so many marriages become today—needlessly. I will say at one point in the book, I didn't like Havah. Then I realized it was because she becomes the woman we women today dread becoming—a woman driven by resentment, bitterness, and unmet expectations.
But Lee beautifully brings this character around full circle with the pain of loss, love, and maturity. By the end of the story, Havah moves closer to the beauty she was first intended to be but imbued with more grace and wisdom.
Rich in setting and characterization, this story takes you beyond the surface to imagine what life in Eden may have been like, then deep into the repercussions of the fall on their relationship with each other, the animals, and their children. This is a story we all know, told in depth and imagination that will make you think long past that last page.”
“This is an excellent novel, with a high descriptive level. Narrated by Eve, known as Havah, she tells of the beautiful life in the Garden of Eden with Adam, her encounters with the serpent, and the terrible consequences of eating the forbidden fruit.
Graham wrote this review Thursday, March 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It then goes on to describe the generations that follow, as she and Adam begin to age.
A beautiful book that gives flesh and substance to this epic story. Well worth reading.”
“I thought that "Havah" would be this nice little historical fiction book about Eve and I was looking forward to it. I had no idea what I was getting into...WOW! The scope of this project was huge - we are talking covering about 900 years where we have a little fact in Genesis and a lot of speculation. Tosca manages to take all of that and make Eve a real woman who engineered the downfall of man, birthed the world of man, helped form civilization, went from paradise to life as we have never known it and yet dealt with many of the issues we still deal with today. Tosca makes Eve real in a way that I have never thought of her. The hard thing is that like most Biblical fiction books - it can become hard to separate truth from fiction in our heads, but most importantly this book will make you want to go back and reread Genesis and figure it out. It is beautifully written and will make you think about your real roots.
Janna R wrote this review Saturday, December 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“Tosca Lee’s “Havah” is a poetic reminiscence of the life of Eve, the mother of mankind. Written in a beautifully romantic voice, this is an incredible love story. The garden of Eden comes alive for the reader in this intelligently written epic with three-dimensional characters from the first moment Eve opens her eyes! This novel made Adam and Eve and their relationship with God and each other more real to me. It was wonderful!”
Stacey D wrote this review Saturday, December 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the best book I've read in 2008. I was sobbing throughout the story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.”
Preslaysa wrote this review Thursday, December 18 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“One of the most misunderstood Bible characters has finally been given a voice.
Roxann A wrote this review Saturday, November 29 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Havah is Eve's story of Creation, the Fall, and life after the Fall.
Poignant and poetic, this book will satisfy readers looking for something edgy and fresh as well as ones who insist on Biblical accuracy. Amazingly, the author has taken a familar Bible story we all think we know well, and made it a page turner.
Especially haunting are the author's descriptive contrasts of life before and after sin enters the world, and how it changed the earth, the animals, and most heartbreakingly, relationships.
Havah is well-written and well-researched, and takes Biblical fiction to a new level of excellence. A must read.
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2 of 2 members found this review helpful“Havah contains such beautiful imagery that I was literally entranced while reading the story. I was in the Garden with Eve. I was Eve. It's amazing how Tosca does that with her writing. Havah is written with such passion and conviction you will glimpse into the heart of "the One Who is" and will understand how much He truly delighted in the creation of man and His communion with him.
MichelleSutton wrote this review Tuesday, November 18 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The emotional pull of this story is truly divine. When Havah cried for Adonai and tried to find him after the fall, it moved my heart. I know just how she felt.
Can you imagine the horror when they realized exactly what they had done? And then there is the blame and betrayal, "It was the woman you gave me." One of the most powerful lines in Havah is very short. It's simply, "We die." But the impact I felt surrounding those words was incredible.
This is not a novel for people who like simple stuff. This is the deeply spiritual memoir of Eve. Thankfully we know how the story ends. ”4 of 4 members found this review helpful“The story of Adam and Eve is both the oldest and most familiar story known to man. In fact, it is so familiar that we think we know all there is to know. Then along comes a story like Havah that pulls back the veil, giving us a wondrous glimpse into what life might have really been like for the first man and woman.
jachism wrote this review Monday, September 29 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Havah is told from the perspective of Eve, and from the opening lines Tosca Lee hooks us with her intoxicating style and clever storytelling. All of the famous events are here: the garden, the fall, the story of Cain and Abel. But make no mistake about it: this is not the version you heard in Sunday school. Lee holds nothing back in her descriptive narrative as she explores the intimate relationship between Adam and Eve and their rugged lifestyle. Eve's firsthand account of the fall is gut wrenching and emotional, bringing yet more vitality to another familiar aspect of this story. I was especially moved and anguished over the beautiful, yet flawed relationship of the first husband and wife.
As the story unfolds Tosca Lee gives some intriguing speculative insight into many of the questions that surround Adam and Eve. How many children did they have? How exactly was the Earth populated? What was their relationship really like? How did they interact with God? Every aspect of this story is backed by careful research and study, and even if you don't agree with Tosca Lee's viewpoint, you have to admire her willingness to re-explore this monumental moment in history.
Havah is a beautiful tale that will awe and inspire you at every turn. With beautiful prose and breathtaking description, Tosca Lee has breathed new life into the story we thought we all knew so well. Allow yourself to step out of the box for a moment and experience a retelling of Adam and Eve that will leave you desperate for more.”
