You’d better believe I check amazon.com every day for any new reviews of “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses. Today I discovered two that I hadn’t seen before. My daughter tells me she always looks first at the less-than-five-star reviews for a book she’s interested in — claims they give her more information. Maybe these will serve the same purpose.
4.0 out of 5 stars A love story including trials and integrity
ByBecky Zaleson July 16, 2017
An interesting story by Mona Gustafson Affinito. Definitely enjoyed reading a story about Job but from the fictional perspective of his wife Dara. After seeing Job’s affliction, Dara may have been confused to see her husband continue to worship God. She tells Job to “curse your god and die” which seems to make her a bad person, for possibly believing they have been abandoned by God. This poignant story helps one to reflect on what it must have been like to be Mrs. Job.
The story presents the challenges and struggles of Dara’s life and the turmoil of having to serve a different God from the one she served in childhood. After years of blessings from her new god it must have been even more difficult to lose all of her children, servants and livestock. The most challenging trial for Dara is seeing her husband sick with boils all over his body. She also had to witness the long debate among Job and his companions. His comforters imply Job is wicked and should admit his wrongdoing and accept his punishment from God. Yet, Job insists on maintaining his integrity.
A great read, for those that enjoy a nice love story and characters that suffer hardships yet persevere, forgive and maintain integrity.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.0 out of 5 starsAn interesting take on Job’s story
ByRebekah Gon April 26, 2017
Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses tells a story about Job’s wife, following her life as a child through to Job’s death. It was interesting to read this take on Job and his suffering from Dara’s perspective and I found it a worthwhile read. Unfortunately, I found that the story perhaps went too far back (as a child) and took a long time to actually get to Dara and Job’s life together. Mona’s descriptions are vivid and enthralling, but I felt like there was a real shortage of dialogue.
Overall an interesting story and a great effort by Mona.
*I received a copy of this book through the author and Booktasters in exchange for my honest review.
monagustafsonaffinito 
What the last reviewer criticized was precisely what I loved the most – the long and beautifully written description of Dara’s youth that led to her being the wife she became.
Thanks, Leelah. Goes to show ya’, people’s tastes differ. I’m happy for yours.
Mona, these are really nice reviews that offer specifics that provide Amazon review readers with information to guide them in deciding whether to purchase. Good for Dara and her author!
Yup! So we don’t need al 5 star reviews.
Nope. Four star generals are almost as powerful as five.
Congrats on the great reviews!
Thanks, Ellie