Book Review: The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

The Pirate Queen is a beautiful story which centers around main character Saphora Warren. She has lived a life with many material things and money, but has not found fulfillment in a marriage to her plastic surgeon husband, Bender, who has not been faithful to her for most of their marriage. She plans to leave him and begin anew, when he interrupts those plans with the news of his newly diagnosed cancer. What ensues is a trip to their summer home, much time in and out of hospitals for Bender's medical care, a revolving door of visiting family members and unlikely friendships that develop along the way. Saphora discovers again how to love her husband, as well as those around her and is introduced to not only new friends but also to a God who loves her and sees every tear she has ever shed, and cares about each one.
At first, this book seemed to be a dissapointment to me. I had a hard time following the many characters and didn't really feel connected to them at the beginning. I also had a difficult time seeing how they all interconnected. The story was also nothing of what I expected it to be upon reading the description. Something happened though, well before I reached the halfway point, and I was very much drawn in to the story. By the time I reached the end, I had laughed, shed tears, and was very much affected by the characters and their experiences. This story has some deep tradgedies, but through them, Saphora and those around her learn to see God at work, and allow Him to have His way in their lives. I believe this story will stick with me for a good long while, and would recommend it, with the encouragement to stick with it, even if the beginning is a little slow.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.