- historical fiction that “fills in the gaps” of the first several chapters of Genesis
- linguistics, archeology, astronomy and other sciences are woven throughout the narrative
- convo point: was Adam with Eve when she first sinned?
- other convo points: beer & wine, demons (fallen angels), drunkenness, child sacrifice and other acts of depravity/corruption are mentioned
Type: chapter book
Ages: 7-12
Author: Ruth Beechick
I must stress that it’s very important to read the Preface before embarking on the main journey. Beechick lays out the mindset for her postulation in this book. She has obviously completed an immense amount of research and study, but she fully admits where her greater liberties were taken. It’s necessary to keep all this in mind to truly enjoy the story.
The story itself is quite easy to read and keeps attentions very well throughout most of it (it’s in a very matter-of-fact style). Beechick keeps the events in order as the Bible describes them and faithfully incorporates much Scripture throughout.
Her embellishments of Noah’s preparation for the Ark might have been my favorite part–lots of neat details that very likely could have happened. Sometimes embellishing God’s Word comes across as heretical or simply distasteful, but Adam and His Kin bypassed that feeling for me.
Yet, as I write that last paragraph, I am remembering other wonderful parts, such as her well-written analogy between the Ark and God’s future redemption through Christ…or how Adam intelligently studied God’s created nature around him…or other various nuggets of wisdom that come through.
The end of the book definitely slowed down, but it still finished well. I came out with a new respect for good historians–it’s a serious undertaking!
Lastly, there are a few interesting appendices including projects, an annotated bibliography and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!