Review by KlareAllison -- Who Told You That You Were Naked?

[KlareAllison]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Who Told You That You Were Naked?" by William Combs.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Who Told You That You Were Naked? A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden, by William E. Combs, is a Christian book which I also categorize as “creative non-fiction” because of the imaginative narrative style of the author. The book was published by Carpenter’s Son Publishing in 2016 and revolves around the biblical account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden where the author anchors much of his explications on.

The book focuses on the reason mankind has remained unable to break free from lifelong feelings of nakedness and inadequacy. The narrator steps back in time as a five year old child and takes the reader with him, as it were, through the back door of his home into the Alaskan winter night to the neighboring woods which both attracts and terrifies him. In the woods, he marvels at the stars which reached right down to the cold snow of breathtaking wonderland with a spectacular display of northern lights that set the night sky ablaze. It is this stupendous night of awesome sight that William Combs ingenuously, I dare say, lures the reader through the soft splash of river Euphrates and subsequently introduces the newlyweds in the Garden of Eden. It is also against this backdrop that he examines the context within which the word “sin” first entered into the biblical lexis. Written with deep biblical insight and knowledge of the Hebrew language, the message of the book is communicated in an invigorating manner.

In the pages of this book, the reader gets ripostes on issues such as: Why did God plant the tree of knowledge in the midst of the Garden of Eden, next to the tree of life, if He did not want our first parents to eat it? Does the act of eating the forbidden fruit really imply rebellion against God? What is sin? Is every believer’s name written in the Lamb’s book of life before the dawn of creation? How can the we receive the guidance of God in order to be sure of His blueprint for us and, thus, live by it?

I like the cover illustration which ties well with the title’s discernible biblical undertone. As the story begins to unfold, it becomes obvious that the author’s artistic depiction of Adam and Eve will be different. There are allusions to illumination and darkness as stylistic devices which encapsulate the author’s message of the knowledge (light) of God which dispels all darkness (fears). I find the embellishments with personal encounters, testimonies and related ideas from the author’s imagination quite enriching. For instance, the author weaves in the itching effects of the fresh fig leaves on the bodies of Adam and Eve, the characters of Jared (the builder), Lively (the little ewe), and also neatly interlaces the realism of his early childhood reception of the Gospel. Each chapter ends with a section of study questions and the book is finally concluded with end notes which proffer more clarifications. This approach is uniquely suited to the task of capturing and retaining readers’ attention. Told from first person point of view, fast and even-paced, light and breezy in an almost playful way, the book’s tone and clear delivery style make it a stimulating read. I sincerely recommend Who Told You That You Were Naked? A Refreshing Reexamination of the Garden of Eden to anyone who is interested in knowledge and desires clearer insights into deep biblical truth generally, and to Christians, specifically.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because its excellent diction and easy storytelling-style effectively seals and delivers the intended message of salvation from creation to redemption. The book is well-edited and proffers answers to biblical questions which, hitherto, have been either glossed over or handled in ways which raise even more questions. Although, the author’s personal embellishments of some biblical accounts may not appeal to some Christians, I welcome them as the arts of a very imaginative mind. At the end of the book, I wanted more and unconsciously expected a kind of return to that Alaskan night of breath-taking frost crystals by the narrator, now as an adult, who is no longer terrified by the dark because of the evident powerful light of the Gospel which he presently carries.

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Who Told You That You Were Naked?
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Like KlareAllison's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Ijenna]

From your review, I think this is a book that I would love. Christian books I've come across are usually either too stiff or too fluid but this book seems like it has the right balance.

I find the the change of scenery in the book quite interesting and based on your review, the book is not what I expected.

Great review! You covered all aspects and posed important questions.

[readandsmile]

Your review seems good, even if it is my latest review but still, I learned new set ideas. Nice one.cheers!

[KlareAllison]

Thanks so much, readandsmile. I had no idea this book had enjoyed so many reviews. The book is a fascinating handy resource for Christians.

[readandsmile]

Thanks so much, readandsmile. I had no idea this book had enjoyed so many reviews. The book is a fascinating handy resource for Christians.

Your welcome. I guess that you learned a lot on that book. Good to hear that. Just continue doing your work. And, may that book be a remma in your Christian life.

[LadyClaire]

Well detailed review, Klare...makes me happy that I also reviewed it. Thanks for sharing

[Gratey12]

I believe that the book may have been written in order to provoke a revisit of age-old beliefs in religious dogma and mindset. The title itself suggests a departure from those beliefs as not everyone may be asked or expected to have a literal understanding of Adam and Eve as the real first parents of humanity as these figures could actually represent something more than the historical and the commonplace. The reference to the "nakedness" could be something other than the absence of the covering of the physical body, although it is not demonstrated literally as well.

[KlareAllison]

Thanks so much, Ijenna. You will definitely enjoy this insightful book.

[Donatelloo]

I have been planning to read this novel but haven't read it yet . Admirable review though ???

[KlareAllison]

I have been planning to read this novel but haven't read it yet . Admirable review though ???

Thank you!

-- 27 Aug 2017, 14:28 --

Thanks so much, readandsmile. I had no idea this book had enjoyed so many reviews. The book is a fascinating handy resource for Christians.

Your welcome. I guess that you learned a lot on that book. Good to hear that. Just continue doing your work. And, may that book be a remma in your Christian life.

Thanks! I say "Amen!" for both of us

-- 27 Aug 2017, 14:33 --

@ladyclaire. Thanks for your kind comment on my review. It's interesting to know you also worked on the book, will definitely stop by to have a reading of your review.

-- 27 Aug 2017, 21:51 --

I believe that the book may have been written in order to provoke a revisit of age-old beliefs in religious dogma and mindset. The title itself suggests a departure from those beliefs as not everyone may be asked or expected to have a literal understanding of Adam and Eve as the real first parents of humanity as these figures could actually represent something more than the historical and the commonplace. The reference to the "nakedness" could be something other than the absence of the covering of the physical body, although it is not demonstrated literally as well.

Thanks for your take on this book. The reference to 'nakedness' in the book is symbolically used to imply a sense of inadequacy/insecurity.

[Mallory Whitaker]

I love your review! I've been reading several reviews on this book today. The embellishments of the biblical stories seems very interesting. From what I've gathered, they seem to be the most popular parts for a lot of the readers of this book. I also really like that he has study questions at the end of each chapter. That's a great way to keep the reader engaged!

[KlareAllison]

Thanks so much, Mallory, you're absolutely right. The embellishments and the playful delivery style of the book got me smiling most part of the reading. This device substantially eliminated the boredom which is often associated with books in this genre.

[El-kanah]

Such an intriguing Christian novel. I'm not surprised you also gives the novel a 4 star as I have, it's indeed a must read for every living soul.

[KlareAllison]

Such an intriguing Christian novel. I'm not surprised you also gives the novel a 4 star as I have, it's indeed a must read for every living soul.

Thanks, El-kanah! Good to know you have read this book, I just love it. The book is not only well-writen, it addresses fundamental issues which will interest most Christians.

[Jeremie Mondejar]

I also reviewed this book and found out that whoever reviewed this book shall learn a lot. You got the main points Klare.