"Land of Silence" by Tessa Afshar

 


Elianna's life changed forever the day her four-year-old brother died while in her care. Though not directly responsible for his death, Elianna bears much guilt and shame over the way things played out. Often ostracized by her family and the community, she tries to earn every merit possible by working hard for the family textile business.

Though betrothed to Ethan, the son of a fellow textile merchant, Elianna keeps finding ways to delay their marriage, sure that he will one day find her as repulsive as many others do. Unable to bear that thought, she hides from his love as much as she can.

Tragedy after tragedy mars Elianna's life, including when she develops an issue of blood that will not stop no matter how many physicians she consults. Now not only looked down upon but ritually unclean due to Hebrew law, Elianna's world becomes even smaller than it was before.

Rumors begin circulating of a prophet with power to heal, but Elianna is tired of the many false prophets who have risen up over the years. When her sister comes to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Elianna finally agrees to go hear Him speak... and dares to believe that the merest touch of His garment might hold healing power.

This was my first time reading this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I enjoyed many things about this story, though the amount of sorrow and sadness that Elianna went through did get to feel quite heavy at times. My favorite part was the way the author wove in names and accounts that are so familiar from Scripture, making the New Testament come alive in new ways.