Review: Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

[khamneithang]

New York Times best-selling author Francine Rivers’ larger-than-life novel, Bridge to Haven, is an intense and forceful story of a seventeen-year-old girl who is unable to get a grip on her life. Rebellious, she has been struggling all through her young life, physically and emotionally. Her life in the small town of Haven, California, is filled with boring study, mundane chores and practicing the piano, and she is stiff tired. She believes her town is the dullest place on earth, and is dreaming to escape the drudgery of her life by moving far away to a big city, even dreaming of Hollywood and becoming a movie star.

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers is deeply penetrating, powerful, incredibly poignant and soul-searching – it is a sweeping tale of love, forgiveness and redemption. The story begins one early morning in October 1936 when Pastor Ezekiel Freeman during his vigil found a newborn baby girl wrapped in a piece of sweater and abandoned under a bridge. Zeke and his wife Marianne adopted the baby and named her Abra. Five years later, Marianne dies forcing Zeke to give up on Abra to be adopted by Peter and Priscilla Matthews. So, Abra Matthews grows up under their watchful eyes but the searing imprint of her childhood left an agonizing scar on her. “I’ve been hurting my whole life,” she said.

Years later, when a wily character Dylan Stark tempts her with the idea of trying their luck in Hollywood, she is seduced. She runs away with him, rejecting the advice of family and friends. She receives a make-over and becomes a starlet with a new name Lena Scott. But what initially promises to be an exciting journey brought her much heartache and disappointment. Everyone wants to exploit her, including her boss Franklin Moss who later committed suicide. Her life falls apart, leaving her painfully aching for the quiet and solitude of Haven and the dear people back home.

But when all seems lost, things can fall together beautifully. Joshua, the young son of Zeke who is deeply scarred by his experiences in the Korean War, is growing restless and wants to bring back Abra. His search brings him to Agua Dulce, and there in the most unlikeliest of all places they meet again. Abra was in her motel room, resting and reading the Gideon Bible. Every reading seems to point to her guilt. When Joshua brings Abra home to Haven, Zeke is praying on the bridge, almost as if he is waiting for her.

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers is inspired by the biblical story found in Ezekiel 16. It is a compelling story that will resonate deeply with readers. It is based on the life of 1950s Hollywood starlet Lena Scott, whose real name was Abra. Francine has meticulously researched about the lifestyles in the forties and fifties, Hollywood studios and stars, Second World War, the Korean War and many other details necessary to craft a realistic and believable story. It is an incredibly delightful story with memorable character that will leave a lasting impression on you.

[therhinofam]

While I generally am fond of Francine Rivers as an author, I did not love this book as I have some of her previous works. I thought the book was very well researched and did present as fairly accurate portrayal of the times. However, I did not connect with many of the characters. I thought they were well written but I did not find many of them likable. My favorite characters were actually members of the support cast; Mitzi the piano teacher and Murray the hairdresser. I also had trouble believing the love story. It did not feel as well crafted as some of River's previous works.

[kderse]

Here is my review:


In the Novel Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers Lena Scott is the most famous star since Marilyn Monroe. Very few people know her real name is Abra. Very few know what she had to do get where she is today. To her father, a pastor, she will always be the girl who stole his heart the night he found her under a bridge. Zeke and his son Joshua are her closest friends and know the scars that are etched on her heart that are because of her birth. Which ultimately means being swept away by the bad boy. Hollywood feels very far away from the town she grew up in. Fame comes at an awful price. She has burned every bridge to get what she wanted. All she wants now though is to go home.

I recommend this book to young adults and older.

I was given this book from a friend. I am officially hooked on Francine Rivers books. Some people think this book was too graphic but I think it was what made this book so beautiful in the end.

I have to be honest I finished this book super fast. Her books always suck you in and you have a hard time putting the book down. I lent it to a friend almost a year ago and she still hasn’t finished it. She starts crying every time and gives up. Tries to give it back to me and I tell her she has to finish it, it is so good. I am now moving and I am stuck between the decision of telling her to give me the book or encouraging her to finish it.

This is probably the most detail and sensuality than I have seen in a Christian Romance book which is why I recommended it for young adults versus teenagers. The author did a good job at portraying these as sinful acts as they are ugly and damaging.

Much like Karen Kingsbury, Francine writes about what life is like behind the lives of the famous. It isn’t glamorous. it is hard to glorify God in that life. It is even harder to love yourself in that life to not be taken advantage of. Many people are comparing this book to Redeeming Love. No this book is not as good as that one and I think because the true author of redeeming love is God and this one is Francine’s. They are both good just not the same.

I rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars.