Title: Daughter of Job
Author: John M. Hartley
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing
ISBN: 979-8888874233
Pages: 302
Genre: Literature & Fiction/History
Reviewed by: Christina Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Although we can never truly know when we will face it, adversity is something which is not only a natural part of life, but something we all must face at one point or another. The challenges which arise in a person’s life can vary in degree and circumstance, from the loss of a job and the ending of a relationship to the tragic loss of a beloved family member and more. It is how we face these challenges and rise above the adversity that truly defines who we are as a person. There are rare moments though when adversity and pain can become overwhelming, and mount one on top of the other to shock us all. That is the idea behind author John M. Hartley’s Daughter of Job, a novel challenging what it means to have faith – and keep it when facing hard times.
When a mother of four enjoys a stroke of good fortune that allows her family to live well above what they are used to under her husband’s salary, the people around them determine she is a fair-weather Christian, who will curse God’s name at the first sign of trouble. When disaster after disaster strikes her family, she must show her true colors and face these challenges head on.
The author really did a great job of drawing me into the narrative immediately, introducing this family unit and their connection to each other and their community as a whole. The novel is definitely character driven, as the narrative hinged on the protagonist and her family as they met hardship after hardship, showcasing the drama and the themes of fate, faith, and fortune all truly well throughout this story. The dynamic character interactions and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style allowed me to not only get a glimpse into what brought this family together, but how they overcame the hardships thrown in their path.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy genre fiction, especially those with a more religious themed storyline and packed to the gills with family drama and faith. The narrative leaned into the religious aspect of the story heavily, as the narrative honed in on people’s ability to fall back onto their faith and the strength to hold onto that faith in the worst of times. The way the story continued to ramp up the hardships into tragic circumstances and beyond helped illustrate the trying nature of holding onto that faith, and readers will really be able to resonate with the protagonist and her struggles to hold onto her beliefs in the darkest of times. Filled with shocking twists and turns, and an emotional and heartfelt story that readers will be able to engage with, this is one book that is not to be missed.