Written on Silk

Don't let the quintessential run-of-the-mill Christian fiction cover and title fool you - this book is no ordinary "inspirational novel." This is the second in Chaikin's Silk House trilogy, a series written about a young Huguenot woman named Rachelle Macquinet, who lives during the sixteenth century. Never heard of a Huguenot? They were French Protestants who had responded to the Reformation, particularly under the influence of John Calvin from Geneva, by changing their allegiance from Catholicism. They faced much persecution from a Catholic monarchy. This is the moving, well-told account of one family's struggle to withstand the persecution and intrigue surrounding their life in France. The only reason I don't give the novel five stars is because the grammar is stilted and faulty at times, and the story can get overly complicated with too many subplots, confusing character names, and unfamiliar French words. However, those are minor issues - especially since some of the best fiction works in history are complicated as well. I wholeheartedly recommend this excellent and biblically sound book.

I really liked this book, but am now sitting in extreme anticipation for the third book, which doesn't come out till December!! I have to agree somewhat with the other comment. This book does leave you hanging quite a bit, and I would probably also recommend waiting to read this with the third book; however, this series is supposed to have FOUR books, not three, so you might be waiting a while before you're completely satisfied. With that said, it is no wonder that the plot is built up so much in this book because a lot of things are still going to happen in the next two books. This book really moved me, and helped me appreciate what so many have gone through for freedom to worship as they wish. I also love the continuation of the relationship between Fabien and Rachelle, and the addition of James Hudson and Bertrand, though I am a little skeptical of what happens at the end, and sometimes Rachelle's behavior towards Fabien is rather maddening. Overall, though, I would say this book is thoroughly enjoyable, and I will enjoy rereading the first two books when the others come out. I also haven't minded learning a little French along the way. Linda does better with the French terms in the second book, in not using them quite as much, and using terms that are easier to figure out(because they're very similar to the English terms for the same things). I definitely recommend this book!