“Powerful Biblical Fiction for All Ages”
This is the third book in Katy Morgan's biblical fiction series. It retells the story of Ruth for a middle-grade audience, and it is faithful to the Scriptural narrative while also including fictionalized elements. The imagined details fit with the story's historical and cultural context, and they build on the story's themes about loyalty, kindness, and God's hand at work in difficult circumstances.
The book of Ruth in the Bible is about four pages long, and this novel is 158 pages long. As a result, there's a lot of added detail! However, none of the fictionalized aspects change the substance of the story. They just flesh out the details of what Ruth and Naomi might have been thinking and feeling, add some other supporting characters to the story, and more fully dramatize things that Scripture summarized within a compressed timeline. At the end of the novel, there are detailed notes that specify what the the author got directly from the Bible, versus what she made up. She also includes some additional cultural and historical explanations here. There is also a discussion guide at the end, which is great for family use or for book clubs.
"The Outsider" is an engaging, well-written novel that builds upon a familiar story with additional details, and which offers deep reflections about God's love and kindness. This book will appeal to people who enjoy biblical fiction and TV shows like The Chosen, and even though the publisher is marketing this book for kids, it is a gripping story for all ages.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
