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The Everlasting Flame: A Tale of Undying Love for Each Other and God's Word in a Dangerous Time
Courage, conviction, adventure, and romance fill every page of this exciting historical novel. Set in the early days of the Protestant Reformation, this powerful book portrays two people in love with each other and with the Word of God.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 11, 2016
I love Linda Chaikin! I discovered her last year while reading her Heart of India trilogy and she is one of my new favorite authors. I was given about six of her books for Christmas and they are high up on my reading list. The Everlasting Flame was one of the ones I was given and was high on the list.
I was very young when I read my first biography on William Tyndale and was inspired. I read everything I could get my hands on about this man who was willing to risk everything to get the scriptures into the language and vernacular of the common people. In fact 90% of the 1611 King James Bible is Tyndale’s work.
Linda did her research on this book. However, at times she gets a little carried away with her research and forgets the reason everyone is reading her book, Justin. There are two or three chapters throughout the book where she focuses completely on Tyndale and nothing is said of the hero. Also, in order to be historical accurate, there are times where she skips a year or two. Some of these transitions are better than others.
What I loved about this book? It makes you want to read your bible out of sheer joy that you have it. It renewed my interest in the reformers and all their work. I also loved the character of Justin. He was passionate, good with a sword as well as a pen.
As for the romance, there was some but it was not the focus of the group. If I remember correctly, they don’t even kiss until they are married. The focus of this book was truly the amazing power of God’s word, not the power of love.
If you want to be inspired by the work of the reformers, if you want to be amazed at the privilege of having scripture in English, or if you just want a wonderful historical tale, this book is for you.
I was very young when I read my first biography on William Tyndale and was inspired. I read everything I could get my hands on about this man who was willing to risk everything to get the scriptures into the language and vernacular of the common people. In fact 90% of the 1611 King James Bible is Tyndale’s work.
Linda did her research on this book. However, at times she gets a little carried away with her research and forgets the reason everyone is reading her book, Justin. There are two or three chapters throughout the book where she focuses completely on Tyndale and nothing is said of the hero. Also, in order to be historical accurate, there are times where she skips a year or two. Some of these transitions are better than others.
What I loved about this book? It makes you want to read your bible out of sheer joy that you have it. It renewed my interest in the reformers and all their work. I also loved the character of Justin. He was passionate, good with a sword as well as a pen.
As for the romance, there was some but it was not the focus of the group. If I remember correctly, they don’t even kiss until they are married. The focus of this book was truly the amazing power of God’s word, not the power of love.
If you want to be inspired by the work of the reformers, if you want to be amazed at the privilege of having scripture in English, or if you just want a wonderful historical tale, this book is for you.
July 14, 2008
Felt like a double biography, with the main characters in the book used as an excuse to make it a novel. Not that I dislike biographies... but I don't usually enjoy them when I'm expecting a novel.
June 12, 2020
The Everlasting Flame, a book by Linda L. Chaikin
Linda L. Chaikin’s historical fiction account of reformed Protestants working to provide the world with the bible written in English is a book EVERY Christian needs to read.
The topic was well-researched, and her story was structured in a way that made it easy to follow. The basic plot :
Justin Brice and Lady Regina Redford, through a series of interlinked events, join up with William Tyndale to translate and print thousands of copies of the Holy Bible, with the help of merchants and printers who are sympathetic to the Protestant Reformation.
The account is set in the early to mid-1500s in England, Germany, and parts of the Netherlands. The reader will meet the true heroes of the Protestant Reformation, men and women who heroically risked their very lives in going against the corrupted Catholic church.
You will learn about Erasmus, Bishop Stokesly, Dean John Colet, Martin Luther, Thomas Poyntz, Thomas Cromwell, and other real people who were involved, either for or against, providing understandable, English-language bibles for every person.
The Everlasting Flame exceeded my expectations, and kept me interested from chapter one to the end.
Throughout this wonderful historical fiction book, the message of determination, perseverance, in spite of horrendous consequences, and above all, a love for the finished work of Jesus Christ, the holy Lamb of God, was constant and encouraging. This is a valuable historical lesson for every born again Christian.
Linda L. Chaikin’s historical fiction account of reformed Protestants working to provide the world with the bible written in English is a book EVERY Christian needs to read.
The topic was well-researched, and her story was structured in a way that made it easy to follow. The basic plot :
Justin Brice and Lady Regina Redford, through a series of interlinked events, join up with William Tyndale to translate and print thousands of copies of the Holy Bible, with the help of merchants and printers who are sympathetic to the Protestant Reformation.
The account is set in the early to mid-1500s in England, Germany, and parts of the Netherlands. The reader will meet the true heroes of the Protestant Reformation, men and women who heroically risked their very lives in going against the corrupted Catholic church.
You will learn about Erasmus, Bishop Stokesly, Dean John Colet, Martin Luther, Thomas Poyntz, Thomas Cromwell, and other real people who were involved, either for or against, providing understandable, English-language bibles for every person.
The Everlasting Flame exceeded my expectations, and kept me interested from chapter one to the end.
Throughout this wonderful historical fiction book, the message of determination, perseverance, in spite of horrendous consequences, and above all, a love for the finished work of Jesus Christ, the holy Lamb of God, was constant and encouraging. This is a valuable historical lesson for every born again Christian.
June 25, 2025
Intriguing & Historical
I read Linda Chaikin's book years ago & so enjoyed the blend of historical facts with fiction. I've been interested in the process of exactly how the English speaking world gained the truth of God's Word long held in isolation due not only the educational linguistics of a few versed in Latin, Hebrew, & Greek, but also the lack of most in the scarcity of texts. Such limits placed upon the common man kept the simple truth of God's Word unavailable. I am grateful for Linda's dedication to providing, in a novel, the accuracy of the risks men like Tyndale faced to lift the veil of darkness. Her writing has inspired me not to take for granted the Holy Bible for which many paid the ultimate price of death for their unswerving faith in God and the importance of translating the Bible into the English language.
I read Linda Chaikin's book years ago & so enjoyed the blend of historical facts with fiction. I've been interested in the process of exactly how the English speaking world gained the truth of God's Word long held in isolation due not only the educational linguistics of a few versed in Latin, Hebrew, & Greek, but also the lack of most in the scarcity of texts. Such limits placed upon the common man kept the simple truth of God's Word unavailable. I am grateful for Linda's dedication to providing, in a novel, the accuracy of the risks men like Tyndale faced to lift the veil of darkness. Her writing has inspired me not to take for granted the Holy Bible for which many paid the ultimate price of death for their unswerving faith in God and the importance of translating the Bible into the English language.
April 3, 2022
Clearly Linda's first book but inspiring nonetheless
A very detailed telling of how the English version of the Bible came into being as well as the hardships of the people who lived in that time. William Tyndale is the reason why we have the King James version of the Bible and other versions as the English language evolved over the hundreds of years since. Definitely read if you're interested in the orgins of the church.
A very detailed telling of how the English version of the Bible came into being as well as the hardships of the people who lived in that time. William Tyndale is the reason why we have the King James version of the Bible and other versions as the English language evolved over the hundreds of years since. Definitely read if you're interested in the orgins of the church.
May 29, 2023
I enjoyed the historical detail and the theme of devotion to God despite persecution but I think the author could have fleshed out the characters with increased individuality to make it a more engaging novel.
July 28, 2008
I usually like Chaikin's books, but this was just wasn't as interesting as I expected it to be... not quite her usual style or something.
February 24, 2012
First book of hers I read.
May 2, 2013
Awesome
June 5, 2023
A compelling and fascinating fictionalized account of the movement to translate the Bible into English for the first time by William Tyndale.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews