In one of books by this author I found the list of Francine River’s novels and I decided that I should read them all. So I’ve read The Scarlet Thread partially to just cross it off the checklist. It’s one of the last ones on the list but there’s still a few more left so you should expect more reviews soon!
Okay, back to The Scarlet Thread. Unfortunately, I started reading this book with some kind of prejudice - I was sure that I'm not going to like it. I haven't heard its name that often (which means it's not really popular) and someone told me that it's not the best book and it's all about divorce. So even when I started it I wasn't too eager to continue reading.
Turned out, I was wrong! When I finally found the time and desire to read this book I didn't want to stop. The story does touch on some aspects of marriage that are unfamiliar and irrelevant for me, but the book itself was totally worth reading.
About the plot
There are a few spoilers, but they shouldn't spoil it too bad
The actions is The Scarlet Thread happen sometime in the 2000s. Throughout the book we watch the life of the main character named Sierra. She is a pretty good wife and a mother, but her husband becomes too obsessed with his work career, while she becomes too discontent with her life. Eventually, different events and thoughts snowball and the spouses make their marriage fall apart with their own hands. Add to that betrayal, temptations, toxic friends, upset children, and dying parents, and it will seem like there's no way out.
At the same time with all the events, the main character is reading a personal diary of her great-grandmother that describes different seasons of her life. The biggest part of the diary talks about her travel through the newly discovered America to her husband's "dreamland" in Oregon. Despite a big difference in times, generations and events, there's a lot of similarities in these women's lives. Mary Katherine (the author of the diary) also faces some family problems which might make you think that the book is built around that thought.
But! The book is actually not about divorce!
The main similarity between the two characters is that regardless of their god-fearing mothers, aunties, and other relatives, Sierra and Mary Katherine are "poisoned" by their life experiences and are denying God completely. I mean, they might not deny His existence but they're both sure that God is indifferent to their lives and their problems.
Throughout the whole book, you can see how through the most difficult circumstances God tries to reach these women and show them that He actually cares! That He can turn everything for their good as soon as they open their hearts and entrust their ways to Him. I think many readers can relate, as we often try to manage our lives by our own means though it only leads to destruction. Sometimes we also need to learn how to let go and trust God with everything, and then He will put these pieces together into a beautiful picture.
Closer to the end of the book (attention - spoilers) both women admit their powerlessness and their need for God, and slowly but surely He restores their lives, their marriages, and most importantly - their hearts and worldviews. He heals their lives and it's so nice to read about!
At the very end, we finally find out why the book is called The Scarlet Thread, when Sierra discovera a red thread that goes all through Mary Katherine's quilt. She finally realizes that through all her life events (as well as her great-grandmother's life) God's love and care go like a scarlet thread. A scarlet thread as Rahab's rope and as Jesus's blood. I personally admire this kind of detail.
Pros and cons
I like to say that Francine Rivers' books "inspire Christianity" - and this is true about The Scarlet Thread as well. Reading a fiction novel, stories of ordinary people, you start to clearly see God's work. Living through these stories along with characters you also start admiring Christ just as they do when they first accept Him in their hearts. The events of the book bring you back to the memories of your first love and encourage you to trust the Lord and seek Him.
Regarding the cons, I can also name a thing that I noticed in this author's books. Many of her stories speak about marriage so some things might seem irrelevant (or even provocative) for people who were never married - or just got married.
My rating is a 7.5
I would rate this book a 7.5 out of 10. This is a pretty high grade but not the highest - mostly because of the irrelevance of some aspects. If you're a Francine Rivers' fan (just like me) - you definitely shouldn't reject this book. But if you don't care what to read, I would probably recommend her other books such as The Mark of Lion or Lineage of Grace.
If you already read The Scarlet Thread, make sure to share your experience in the comments!
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