Francine RiversThe Scarlet Thread: A Novel (The Historical Christian Fiction Story of Two Women, Centuries Apart, Joined through a Journal from the Oregon Trail)

I have read many Francine Rivers’ books, but this one was very much a story of today’s challenges, fails, and hurts while integrating historical events that were applicable to the characters. There are different cultures, stressful job situations, high society women, infidelity, and more. It is tastefully written, the characters are well developed, and there is much Biblical truth told. I enjoyed it so much.

This story dug deep in my heart and turned over fallow ground made hard by hurt and rejection of a failed marriage. The Lord has had my heart for over 40 years, but this story opened my eyes to emotional healing that I was finally ready to receive. Thank you for your magnificent gift.

The Scarlet Thread is a beautiful Christian Fiction story of love and loss, rebellion and surrender.Francine does a fantastic job weaving two stories into one while taking the reader through a journey of self-discovery.Be prepared to weep when you find your First Love at the end.“You are my lamp, Lord, lighting my way out of darkness.”

I read this book in one sitting with tears streaming down my face. Rivers has a wonderful gift of making you feel like you are truly in the story, feeling what Sierra feels and crying with her when her heart is breaking. The unraveling of the marriage was and the dialogues seemed quite realistic. This was a couple who could not manage to communicate! Alex wanted a new job that gave him joy and satisfaction as a man and made him feel like a real "somebody" (idolatry) and Sierra wanted stability, no change, and for their lives to stay the same forever (idolatry). It was a good picture of how idols clashed and ultimately destroyed an already unsteady, fragile marriage. Alex flees to a woman who makes him "feel like a man" in response to Sierra's inability to accept his dreams and their new life. In fairness, Alex royally blew it from day one - he should have sat down with Sierra, and eased her patiently into such a huge, huge family decision to move. However, I feel Alex's character was a realistic portrayal of many men without Jesus Christ. Alex was driven by his idol - he needed, craved, lived to prove himself to the world and himself that he was indeed "worth something" and had risen above the lowly status of the son of a hard-working Mexican immigrant. As their marriage disintegrates, the words became harsher and uglier. I remarked to my husband that some of these nasty, bitter dialogues probably go one in the US every single day. After all, 50% of marriages end in divorce, right?I didn't give it five stars because I found the story of her great-great grandmother a bit distracting and added little to the book overall. Also, I feel that the reconciliation was too tidy. In real life, I imagine their dialogues be much uglier, quite colorful, and not so neatly packaged. A man who's cheated on you, insulted you, belittled you like a piece of worthless trash, and then comes crawling back is not going to get off so easily. Of course, Sierra is able to forgive through God's grace, but this was a woman who was profoundly sinned against over and over and over not only through adultery but belittlement with harsh words. In real life this would involve some serious marriage counseling and help from a strong Christian community to get to the root of their many issues. Once again, I just feel that their reconciliation was far too tidy and a bit borderline sentimental and cheesy. However, overall this was truly a fantastic book, a good picture of the pain of divorce and adultery and the healing power of Christ.

I loved this book! I found it hard to put down! What an amazing story that tells of the love God has for us!

Hard times and broken hearts, generations apart...great characters and amazing insight into life today for too many people. Wonderful descriptions of beautiful places and rough goings , truly memorable journeys of discovery.

Excellent book!!!

Dual time frames feature Mary Katherine, a pioneer on the Oregon Trail and Sierra, a modern day wife and mother who undergoes heartbreak and transformation. This is one you won't be able to put down until you've learned the outcomes for both Mary Katherine and Sierra. You will cheer both of them, feel their heartbreak and hope for their restoration. Deeply emotional and faith filled, both women learn to trust God in all their circumstances as the navigate troubled times, heartbreak and lost hope. Read this book. Like other Francine Rivers books I've read, it will be remembered long after the final page is turned.