Redeeming Love: An In-depth Review of the Classic Novel and Blockbuster Hit

I first read Redeeming Love when I was fifteen. Since then, it has been my annual reread, and I look forward to revisiting the life-changing story of Sarah and Michael Hosea each and every year. A story of hope, love, and relentless grace, Francine Rivers delivers an inspiring tale representative of the redeeming love Jesus shows to His bride, the church. The 464-page masterpiece published in 1991 is a story that still pierces modern hearts today. Following the life of Sarah Stafford (turned Hosea) in the 1850s, Redeeming Love is loosely inspired by the Biblical book of Hosea.

This book, simply put, absolutely annihilated me then put me back together. It is so magnificently written, includes incredible character development, and always leaves me one step closer to the redeeming love of God. I cannot hype up this book enough on how beautiful it is. All that being said, I’ve jotted out an in-depth review of the book and movie.

**Major spoilers ahead!**

Characters and Development

Sarah (soon referenced to as Angel), the main lead and protagonist, is a character you won’t be forgetting any time soon. From page one, I found myself rooting for her. Her story is quite dark, though. Her mother, Mae, is a prostitute, and we quickly find out that Sarah is the product of the trade. After Mae dies, eight-year-old Sarah is sold into prostitution. Years later, she stumbles across Michael Hosea, a farmer that is called to show her what the love of God looks like.

Angel is honestly one of my favorite characters that I have ever read about. She starts as this deadened young woman with a hard heart. She has been raped daily since the age of eight and grew numb to the business. It isn’t until Michael comes along that her walls begin coming down. It is such a sweet story of seeing him be ever so gentle with her, patient as she learns. At the end of the novel, she strips away her past, comes humbly before God, and finds her way back to her dear husband, Michael.

While I have never been affiliated personally with sex trafficking or prostitution, I relate to Angel in so many ways. Looking at things from an allegorical lens, Angel tends to run from God and refuses to simply let go and be loved. I struggle with this every day; the act of surrendering my life to the Lord and letting Him love me is a concept I don’t think I will ever master. Sarah struggles with the feeling that she is too far gone, a lie I used to believe when I was younger. So, while many of us will never face the things Angel did, she is quite relatable on a deeper, more spiritual level.

Her character arc is a beautiful thing, as well. Rivers did a remarkable job of tearing down Angel’s walls throughout the story. At the beginning of the book, she is a rock-hard character, determined to make a life for herself. Placing faith in only herself, Angel finds her identity in prostitution and thinks it’s just how her life will be. However, after meeting Michael, her life drastically changes as she comes face-to-face with the truest love she would ever meet. In the end, she comes to Christ and lays aside where she’s been. She embraces the forgiveness and grace of God and is driven to help other girls and young women live lives outside of prostitution.

Michael Hosea. I’m not too sure where to begin with him! He’s so gentle, kind, loving, handsome, nearly perfect in every way. He is patient with Angel and pursues her. He values his relationship with her and understands that marriage isn’t something that can be dropped. He is sensitive to the voice of God and is head over heels for Jesus. Summed up, he’s the perfect man of God that every Christian, single woman longs to have.

Readers must keep in mind, though, that Michael is a representative of God in Redeeming Love, just as Hosea was to Gomer. In the book of Hosea, God calls him to marry a harlot, Gomer. The story mirrors the love Christ has for unfaithful Israel—how God chases us, pursues us, and loves us despite our sins. Michael, in a sense, plays a similar role. However, many times throughout the book, I found myself longing for such a perfect man and neglecting the fact that God is the one pursuing me. I found myself wanting to be so deeply loved by such a perfect man that I forgot who my Truest Love is. This is a concept I have to consistently remind myself of every time I reread the novel. Michael Hosea is such a loveable character, but is he too perfect? It's definitely something to be aware of as you read the book. I heard someone call it "relationship lust," and I agree that Michael's near-perfect nature could cause something of the sort for young, single women.

Michael is a character who is almost so perfect that he doesn’t change too much throughout the story. He recognizes that God gave him Angel to grow him and strengthen his faith, but we don’t see as drastic of a development as Angel’s. Michael’s development is more spiritual than it is general. He learns to trust God and trust His divine will, as well as rely on God when the going gets tough. However, it doesn’t get much deeper than that when it comes to character development concerning our beloved Michael Hosea.

Sexual Aspects and Nudity

I’ve heard people rave on and on and on about the sex scene(s) in the book, and many people won't even touch the book because of it. But I can't say I agree with a majority of their statements. I’ve read many mainstream YA books that have sex scenes in them that are so explicit that, even years later, are still branded into my mind. Those books are written in the first person and are incredibly descriptive when it comes to a man’s hands being on a woman’s body. Redeeming Love, on the other hand, is nearly the opposite.

The book’s main sex scene is implied. Very blandly, we’re told that Angel undresses and stands before Michael. From there, Rivers takes a Biblical approach to marital sex and claims, “Michael kept thinking about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. How had he felt the first time Eve came to him? Scared half to death, yet surging with life? When Michael turned, his wife stood naked before the fire, waiting for him. She was breathtaking, just as Eve must have been. Michael came to her in wonder” (Rivers 156). And that’s as far as it goes. The rest is implied and focuses more on the dialogue than the action.

Take that as you will, but for me personally, a young, single woman that has never been in a relationship, it made me see how beautiful marital sex is. Taking it even one step further, Rivers never condones sex outside of marriage. Yes, Angel was a prostitute, but it was always shown as immoral and sinful. This scene shows Angel what God intended sex to be: the unity of man and wife within the holy covenant of marriage ordained by God. It is far from explicit, but some readers may be uncomfortable with it.

Violence

While the book isn’t terribly violent, it does have many implied scenes that are enough to make you shift in your seat. Sarah, just a child, watches her uncle be murdered. Years later in Pair-a-Dice, she mocks Magowan and receives a deadly beating for doing so. She has flashbacks of Duke, and she recalls the times he aborted her babies. Angel hits Michael (who, in turn, washes her feet). She also tries cleaning herself in the river by scraping gravel across her body.

Other than these scenes, violence isn’t too much of a problem. And, as I said, most of it is implied.

Language and Dialogue

The vilest thing you’ll read in the book is “hogwash” taking the place of “BS.” It really doesn't go beyond that. I have heard that earlier versions of Redeeming Love did have some stronger language, but the more recent editions are free of profanity.

The dialogue is fantastic. As readers, we’re able to hear these conversations in our heads. We can hear the crack in someone’s voice without being told it’s there; we can hear the heartfelt passion simply from what someone is saying. Rivers does a remarkable job when it comes to dialogue while also keeping everything modest.

Spirituality

Before Redeeming Love, I couldn’t stand Christian fiction. It was either too watered down or too preachy and I couldn’t stand it. But Redeeming Love. It changed everything. This book definitely has the potential to bring someone to Christ. I read it as a born-again believer, yet God still reveals Himself to me in new ways every time I read it.

Rivers subtly incorporates the Gospel throughout the story. From Michael reading his Bible and Angel listening to Angel’s coming to Jesus, God and His word are involved consistently. However, it’s not preachy whatsoever. Michael does most of his preaching to Angel through his actions and unrelenting love. Near the end of the book, Sarah comes to see that Michael’s behavior was similar to God’s. While the Gospel isn’t flat-out blatant, the message of the book undoubtedly portrays the love of Christ that doesn’t give up. It beautifully explains to the reader that there is nowhere we can run that God cannot find us still. That there is nothing we can do that will diminish His love. That He is the One that redeems us.

God speaks directly to Michael and Sarah throughout the book, His words being in bold and italics. He calls them by name and draws them to Himself. And when Michael is at his lowest, most desperate moments, He tells Michael what to do and gives wisdom. Bible verses are frequently quoted and are at the head of several chapters. In the end, God calls Sarah to Himself and reveals Himself as who He is on page 399:

Yahweh—I Am Who I Am

El Shaddai—Almighty God

Jehovah-mekiddishkem—The Lord Who Sanctifies

El Elyon—The Lord of Heaven and Earth

El Olam—God Everlasting

Elohim—The Living God

Recommended Audience

This is something I have long thought about. I’m very careful about who I recommend this book to. I do not advise younger girls to read it considering how heavy it is at parts. I read it at fifteen and now wouldn’t recommend it to any fifteen-year-old I know. I would suggest that the minimum age be seventeen. As for gender, I don’t really think there should be a limit on this. It appeals to the male and female audience and can be edifying to both parties.

Again, I’m very careful about who I recommend this to, and I would advise you do the same. Get to know them before you tell them to read Redeeming Love.

Overall Conclusion

I mentioned it several times, but Redeeming Love takes the cake for my favorite novel. I was deeply affected by it in several amazing ways, and it always draws me closer to the Lord. I’m constantly reminded of God’s great love for me and that He always remains faithful even when I am faithless.

As a writer of Christian fiction, I strive to write books that are as impactful as those of Francine Rivers’. Her writing style is gorgeous and her stories are sure to prod at the reader’s heart. Just from her writing, you can tell how much she loves and is devoted to God. Rivers is such an inspiration for me, and Redeeming Love changed my life for the better.

I got the privilege of seeing Redeeming Love the Movie in theaters on opening day with a dear friend of mine. I was hesitant at first after seeing the trailer considering it gave a glimpse of a spicier scene between Angel and Michael. I figured, though, that since it was being advertised as a Christian movie, surely it wouldn’t show anything, would it?

The movie was remarkably done! From the acting to the production to the setting, you can easily tell that an incredible amount of effort was placed into every detail. It was on the lengthier side coming in around 2.5 hours, but it honestly felt like half an hour to me. It flew by, and I enjoyed almost every second of it.

Characters and Development

Like in the book, we meet Angel and Michael quickly. The two hit it off in the brothel and Michael takes her home after a lethal beating from Magowan. You know the story. The character development, though, was definitely lacking. Angel seems to fall in love with Michael pretty quickly, whereas it took her much longer in the book. She hated his guts for a while on paper.

Her conversion in the movie was not up to par. I understand that time was limited and there’s only so much you can do, but I wish she had more time to truly make her decision to come to Christ.

In the book, Angel runs from Michael for a final time in hopes that he will marry Miriam. With the help of Paul, Angel believed that Michael loved Miriam. This was severely underexplained; had I not read the book, I probably wouldn’t have understood why Angel left in the film. Her leaving was underdeveloped and rushed, much to my dismay.

I thought Michael was portrayed nicely. He was strong in his faith and loved the land he worked on. He struggled with sexual temptations but relied on God to ease them. He loved and pursued Angel and made it obvious that he was determined to love Angel as Christ loves us.

In the book, Michael’s character development is less than Angel’s. In the movie, however, I thought his arc was nicely displayed. There was naturally less developing to do, and the time allotted for the movie was just enough for the audience to see that he represents Jesus’ love.

Nonetheless, it was quite amazing to see Abbey Cowen take on the role of Angel. She did a great job, and I’m not sure if anyone could have played Angel as well as Cowen did. It was such a joy to see Michael on-screen. Tom Lewis did phenomenally at capturing Michael’s innocence and gentleness! The two had outstanding chemistry and pulled off many scenes with the grace and elegance the movie deserved.

Sexual Aspects and Nudity

Ah, yes. The part I was anxious about. I watched the trailer and wondered if there would be a sex scene. Yet I kept telling myself that this was a Christian movie and that the sex in the book was implied, so surely the movie would simply imply it, too, right?

Nope.

After Michael takes Angel to see the sunrise, the two kiss passionately and end up in the cabin together. You see Michael running his hand up Angel’s thigh and her undoing his belt. From there, they are seen in bed, naked from the waist up. The only thing keeping you from seeing Angel’s breast is Michael’s hand.

…I had to look away after that. I didn’t feel comfortable, and it sure isn’t something my nineteen-year-old self needed to see.

I understand completely why the scene was in the movie. In fact, I would go as far to say that it needed to be there, but hear me out.

The sex scene, in no way, shape, or form, needed to be so explicit. It very well could have been implicated and achieved the same purpose. Michael and Angle needed the unity of sex, but the audience doesn’t need to watch them find that unity. The two could have kissed and most adults would know how it ended. The explicitness of it was absolutely unnecessary. In my personal opinion, no movie that claims to be Christian should have explicit sex in it.

1 John 2:16 says, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” Likewise, Romans 14:13 says, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

I don’t know how many people struggle with lust, but we, as Christians, shouldn’t be a stumbling block to that. We don’t want to place something in front of them that is a hindrance to their relationship with God. Putting explicit sex in a Christian movie could really cause someone to stumble in their faith. You never want to be the reason why someone slips into sin.

There are a few other scenes with nudity in them. In the first scene that Angel and Michael meet, Angel is completely naked. With a few strategic camera angles and Angel’s long, golden hair, the audience doesn’t see much more than her silhouette and bare stomach. Also, when she washes in the creek, she is naked, but the water and her hair cover her.

Violence

The violence in the movie isn’t much more than in the book. Angel watches Rab be strangled to death. She takes a lethal beating from Magowan. She scrubs herself with rocks. It is disturbing, but nothing too unnerving.

Language and Dialogue

Unlike the book, the movie does include some harsher words. There are a couple of uses of “son of a —” and “d—” and “b—” and “wh—“. Most of these are under someone’s breath, but a couple are loud and proud. I wasn’t too happy with the choice to include these, but they were each used no more than twice.

The dialogue aspect was great! I love the conversations between Michael and Angel. Tom Lewis gave us a southern draw despite his natural British accent. While you can tell it’s not his natural accent, he still did well and it gave Michael a natural depth to his character. The dialogue felt real and true to the time, and I honestly thought it was really well done.

Spirituality

The main portion of the spiritual aspect of the book was God speaking directly to Michael and Angel. This detail, however, couldn’t be captured in the movie. Unfortunately, the spirituality of it all seemed to fade. We see Michael in a church thanking God and asking Him for a wife. We get a few shots of his Bible and hear a few more of his shorter prayers but that’s about it. The interaction between God and man is subtly implied but can easily be missed.

Angel’s conversion is the most spiritual it gets, but even still, it is brief and somewhat shallow. She prays for the first time to believe, has a flashback of her Catholic mother, then goes on to have enough courage to expose Duke and his sickening intentions.

My favorite part of the movie, however, was definitely the ending scene. I had cried at several parts throughout the movie, but this scene made me sob, okay? Bawling like a child while clutching my friend’s hand beside me. Angel finally comes home to Michael after three years. She stands before him and tells him her name, the only thing she had left to offer.

“Welcome home, Sarah,” Michael said. “I’ve always loved you.”

Now, from a Christian perspective, I was deeply moved by this line. I can’t express how many times God has said those very words to me. I’ve run from God on many occasions, and He always welcomes me home and tells me how great His love for me is. Michael Hosea isn’t God, but hearing those words spoken reminded me of how gentle, how kind, how loving, my Father is to me.

This movie isn’t die-hard Christian, but many of the overall aspects are. It truly was a beautiful film and it did edify my walk with the Lord, but I’m not sure how a nonbeliever would respond, nor what they would truly be able to take away from it.

Recommended Audience

Christian women, simply put. This movie is most definitely not for younger girls or even some teens. I can confidently say that it should be eighteen and up. I also wouldn’t recommend it for men, either. They don’t need to be seeing Angel’s naked body nor see her frame romanticized. I definitely would only recommend it to women.

Like the book, I don’t go around telling everyone to watch this movie. While it was amazing and beautiful, I don’t want to be a stumbling block for anyone, nor trigger any trauma someone may have. I’ll have to get to know you before I tell you to watch it.

Overall Conclusion

Redeeming Love was remarkably done and was able to cover most of the book’s plot in the 2.5-hour running time. However, because it was nearly identical to the book, it did seem rushed. It was almost like we got a taste of the scenes from the book without actually getting any of the meat. The plot development was weaker because of this. However, I did enjoy seeing it so close to the book. Most of my favorite scenes did make it onto the screen, which was exciting and quite emotional.

All in all, the movie was well done, but it isn’t a film for everyone. I sincerely hope this post gives you an idea of whether or not you should read and/or watch Redeeming Love. I personally adore the book and highly enjoyed the movie, but please understand that it is not a story for everyone.

All my love,

L. Taylor

Work Cited

Rivers, Francine. Redeeming Love. Multnomah Books, 1991.