Book Review: Joseph: The Hidden Hand of God by Liam Goligher

In this book about Joseph, Liam Goliger brings his story to life and shows us readers just how important the story of Joseph, in the book of Genesis, is to the overall biblical story.

Joseph occupies a very crucial role in the Bible’s story of redemption. His story is about God’s intention to save, not just Joseph’s family, but bringing through Judah (Joseph’s brother) a savior for the world as the Messiah is descended from Judah, hence one of Jesus’s names being “The Lion of Judah”.

This is a very interesting book and brings out way more about the story of Joseph than we were taught in Sunday School - it is a powerful story of forgiveness, family and redemption.

I recommend this book to everyone to read.  I believe that as well as reading the Bible, it is important to read books like this which take you deeper into the story and help you to learn much more about God and the Bible.

Book Review: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is a satire of the gothic novels which were popular at the time that Jane Austen was writing this book.

The main protagonist Catherine Morland who is 17 years old is one of ten children of a country clergyman. She is invited by The Allen’s, who are friends of the family to go to Bath with them and partake in the winter seasons of balls.

During her time in Bath, Catherine befriends Isabella Thorpe and her brother John who has taken a fancy to Catherine and is also a friend of Catherine’s older brother James.  She also befriends Emily Tilney and her brother Henry, much to the annoyance of Isabella and her brother who are not keen to the Tilneys and try to sabotage outings that have been planned between Catherine, Emily, and Henry.

Despite all this, Catherine friendship with the Tilney’s and she is invited to go and stay at Northanger Abbey, where the Tilney’s live. Catherine is excited about this and due to her love of Gothic literature is expecting the abbey to be exotic and frightening – something which Harry teases her about.

The main storyline in Northanger Abbey is really about Catherine’s love for Mr. Tilney and how that pans out. The book is a must-read for Austen fans and those who love the classics, though I do think everyone should read the book.