Biblical Fiction Day 1 Desired by Ginger Garrett

Featuring Samson in Desired by Ginger Garret!

“Before Samson was an Old Testament legend, he was a prodigal son, an inexperienced suitor, a vengeful husband, and a lost soul driven by his own weakness. This is his story as told by three strong women who loved him—the nagging, manipulative mother who pushed him toward greatness, the hapless Philistine bride whose betrayal propelled him into notoriety, and the emotionally damaged seductress—the famous Delilah—who engineered his downfall and presented him to his destiny. Desired celebrates the God of Israel’s ability to work powerfully in the midst of hopes, fears, desires, and sorrows.”

 

 Ginger Garrett’s first Biblical fiction novel Chosen, about Queen Esther, got some pretty awesome press. She’s also currently writing a book about Jezebel. (How awesome is that!!!)

Desired is the story of Samson and is told from the perspectives of Delilah, his ill-fated first wife, and most importantly, his mother. Desired is really her story. It is a narrative of her desires for her son and her struggle to comprehend and accept that God’s desires for him may be different from her won. Her son, the promised deliverer, God’s promise and gift to her and her nation, doesn’t behave the way she expects or desires.

Samson isn’t done very often so I was excited to read Desired. In my excitement I guess I forgot to take into account the fact that Samson’s story is depressing. The tone was reminiscent of how Israel probably felt under Philistine rule, dark, oppressive, and bitter. So while I didn’t enjoy Desired, it was Good. After all biblical stories usually aren’t pretty.

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