Eve by Elissa Elliott is a remarkable book.  At first I was skeptical because often I let my Lutheran theology get in the way of my reading.  I set that off to the side and wanted to enjoy a book.  I did.

Elliott weaves a tale of Adam and Eve and their first children.  She creates a setting that is lush and yet savage.  As one reads you understand the hardships that Adam and Eve confront.  The narrators in this novel are Eve and her daughters: Naava, Aya (who has a crippled foot), and Dara.  We are also given a glimpse into the lives of her other children at this time: Cain, Abel, and Jacan.

Adam and Eve believe they are alone, but one day the family discovers that a new village is being built to the north of where they live.  Elliott has placed her family within close range of an ancient Mesopotamian village/city.  This city then provides much of the conflict for the story.

When Eve narrates we are told about her life back in the Garden and her life with Adam before the two were expelled from the Garden.  We are also told about what happens afterward.  Her story is told in such a genuine way that one feels as if you know her.  We learn about her dreams, goals, and feelings.  Elliott makes it seem as if you know the women in the book. 

When Naava, Aya, and Dara are narrating we also see the story from the eyes of three other contrasting viewpoints.  Each sister is very different.  We read about sibling rivalry, love and caring, and downright hatred at times.

My favorite character was Aya.  She had issues to deal with in the story, but she seemed to be the "roundest" character of all.  I believe she learned the most.  She loved Elohim (God) and worshiped him only in a land of many gods.  She knew she was beautiful even though she was crippled.  She had an inner peace about her that her older sister, Naava, envied and never achieved.  Her name meant 'bird,' and she seemed to soar above her hardships.  I believe that this was just one lesson that Elliott wanted us to take away from the novel.