Tag Archives: Biblical characters

Book Review: The Jealous Son

The Jealous Son

The Jealous Son begins within the borders of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. When Eliza and Alex are banished from the only home they’ve ever known, little did they know it would set events into motion that would affect the rest of their lives.

Author Michele Chynoweth has also written The Faithful One, The Peace Maker, and The Runaway Prophet, all based on Biblical characters. She is an inspirational speaker, a book coach and a writing instructor.

The Jealous Son reimagines the lives of Cain and Abel in a contemporary setting and puts flesh on the circumstances surrounding the famous brothers’ lives. It “portrays what happens when envy goes too far.”

Michele weaves a story that takes a look at relationships gone awry and the consequences of attitudes gone sour. The book tackles what a dysfunctional family does to survive and the messes they stir up in the process. Yet, their story is ours, as we all are prone to going our own way, instead of always seeking God’s design. We can relate to anger, jealousy, malice and shame. We, too, have seen the adverse effects of alcohol abuse, gambling addictions, credit card debt, drugs and loneliness. The Jealous Son helps us take a look at ourselves and what we are capable of, if offered different circumstances.

We can relate to wanting better lives for our children. Eliza reflects, “I guess you always wish for more for your kids. And even though you hope they learn from your mistakes and don’t make the same ones you did, ultimately, they have to learn from their own.”

We can understand the grip of pride. “Eliza winced, not daring to even look in her older son’s direction, fervently hoping he wouldn’t be offended. She knew Cameron was proud like his father. Sometimes a little bit of that pride went a long way in building a dream, a house, a family. Sometimes too much could make it all fall apart.”

Read The Jealous Son and find out for yourself what it could have looked like, when Cain and Abel walked the earth!

Sally