Lydia: A Novel

by Lois T. Henderson

Bestselling author Lois Henderson weaves the brief New Testament account of Lydia, the seller of purple in Acts 16:14, into a colorful and biblically accurate novel. Creatively filling in the gaps and vividly portraying this drama of faith and salvation, the author tells a story that pulses with excitement, while giving us a facinating look at the life and times of ancient Macedonia.

Lydia was a successful and influential business woman in Philippi--a beautiful town thriving under Roman rule. But more significantly, she was the seeker after truth who became Paul's first Christian convert in Erope. It was her home that nurtured the church of Philippi, whose members were later referred to by Puaul as his 'joy and crown.' And it was to her home that Paul and Silas came after their miraculous release from prison.

The author's familiarity with the period adds authenticity to the story, supplying true-to-history details of everyday life and sparkling dialougue for the very human characters.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Historical, Inspirational

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Lois T. Henderson is an American author of Christian novels, many of which are dramatizations of Biblical narratives about women.

Reviews

[Lois · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never felt like the characters were fleshed out and I never felt immersed in the ancient culture. This is one interpretation of the accounts in Acts 16, but it felt watered down and downplayed the role of the women. It was interesting that the Riverside place of prayer of women became a small group of Jewish men and some women. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, became a struggling widow who runs her late husbands business for about a year before turning the business over to her son after chastisement on her selfishness for holding onto management the business even though her son is portrayed as sulky and rude. Cultural and social issues are quickly swept away as the book ends with plans for Lydia’s daughter to marry a poor Jewish cobbler, her son to marry the freed slave girl who had the spirit of divination, and Lydia to marry the converted jailer.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives me a new perspective of this story. More characters but still the same story.

[Beverly Locker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author took the brief New Testament account of Lydia, the seller of purple in Acts 16:14 and creatively wrote a story about life and times in ancient Macedonia. It's an enjoyable story of Lydia, a widow and successful businesswoman in Philippi, who became Paul's 1st Christian convert in Europe. She opened up her home as a church and welcomed Paul and Silas after their miraculous release from prison.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novelized story of Lydia from the Bible (who my oldest is named after). It was good and neat to see more details and it come to life. Like a lot of Christian fiction, very straight forward with the gospel message. I did laugh about how everybody mentioned in the Bible was very interrelated.

[Leaon Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I TOTALLY LOVE this book about Lydia. But then; she is my second favorite woman of the bible. (Mary is first of course)
This book drew me in and I felt as though I walked right along with her in biblical days. ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES-- and it's kind of hard to find this copy.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book too. You feel like you are right there with the characters.

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fictional story of the woman that sells purple in the book of Acts.

Lydia is a woman that is successful seller of purple in Philipp. One day, when she meets Paul, a follower of Christ. Paul is also the one who ends up starting the first Church.

To be honest, I never before really thought about what life was life for the woman who sold purple in the Bible. I was very entertained with the way the author chose to tell a fictional story of this woman from the Bible.

The only character I found a little hard to like was Ditus. He had quite a hard time accepting his mother's belief in the Risen Lord.

A great book for anyone who likes the book of Acts kin the Bible!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older book originally published in 1979. It takes the Biblical story of Lydia that we know and love in the Bible and through creative liberty paints a beautiful expanded fictionalized view of her life. You will get mad, feel sympathy, and maybe even shed a tear.
I usually enjoy older books and this is one that you should be on the look out for on ebay, goodwill or yard sales.

[Frau Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting and captivating story of Lydia. Bringing the Bible to life is something Lois Henderson does very well.

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lois T. Henderson delivered another great, Biblical novel. Known as the first European convert, Lydia was a woman of faith and courage. This book brings her to life--breathing reality into what her struggles, joys, and journey to faith might have looked like. (The second half of this book is definitely more exciting than the first half.)

P.S. Recommended for readers 16 and up.

[Shirley]

Church library, Terri Noordmans OK, not great