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Not by Sight: A Novel of the Patriarchs
Beloved. Betrayed. Despised. Exalted.
What could make a man turn to God when every event in his life screams that God has turned his back on him?
Joseph, the eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob, had his father’s favor, and that was his downfall. Sold into Egypt by his enraged and jealous brothers, Joseph is left with nothing to cling to except the stories of his father’s God, a seemingly remote and unreachable figure. Faith may prove futile, but Joseph is desperate – for the very hate that enslaved his brothers has begun to overtake him.
What could make a man turn to God when every event in his life screams that God has turned his back on him?
Joseph, the eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob, had his father’s favor, and that was his downfall. Sold into Egypt by his enraged and jealous brothers, Joseph is left with nothing to cling to except the stories of his father’s God, a seemingly remote and unreachable figure. Faith may prove futile, but Joseph is desperate – for the very hate that enslaved his brothers has begun to overtake him.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2022
11 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 11, 2022
4.5 stars!
Characters: Joseph was a flawed, realistic character. His struggles to keep trusting God even when horrible things kept happening to him were well done.
Language: One use of God’s name in a conversation didn’t seem to be reverent.
Moral: This novel had many good morals. God’s sovereignty and trusting God even in bad times were a couple of them.
Plot: Not by Sight contained political intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance. A few parts did drag for me because I’ve read the biblical account of Joseph several times and knew what was coming next.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I really appreciated how Elizabeth kept Joseph and Asenath’s arranged marriage clean. Sometimes authors go into a little too much detail regarding what the characters did or didn’t do, and I’m happy to report this wasn’t the case with Not by Sight.
Writing: Elizabeth Jacobson’s writing style worked well for this book. She described things in a way that I could picture, and I’m highly impressed by the amount of research she must’ve done. This is the first book I’ve read by her, and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future.
Overall: Not by Sight was an entertaining book, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and biblical fiction.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: Joseph was a flawed, realistic character. His struggles to keep trusting God even when horrible things kept happening to him were well done.
Language: One use of God’s name in a conversation didn’t seem to be reverent.
Moral: This novel had many good morals. God’s sovereignty and trusting God even in bad times were a couple of them.
Plot: Not by Sight contained political intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance. A few parts did drag for me because I’ve read the biblical account of Joseph several times and knew what was coming next.
Romance: Clean. Just kissing. I really appreciated how Elizabeth kept Joseph and Asenath’s arranged marriage clean. Sometimes authors go into a little too much detail regarding what the characters did or didn’t do, and I’m happy to report this wasn’t the case with Not by Sight.
Writing: Elizabeth Jacobson’s writing style worked well for this book. She described things in a way that I could picture, and I’m highly impressed by the amount of research she must’ve done. This is the first book I’ve read by her, and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future.
Overall: Not by Sight was an entertaining book, and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and biblical fiction.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 3, 2022
I am generally leery of biblical fiction. Too often it strays from the biblical narrative in ways I’m not comfortable with. But I do so love the story of Joseph, and I kept wishing I could find a really good novelization—one that didn’t sacrifice truth for the sake of drama. For me, this was that book. There were a few editing flaws and things I questioned, such as using “Canaanite” instead of “Hebrew” or quoting a verse from Micah (although the principle applied). We don’t really know if Joseph trusted God as a boy or if he learned that later. But it definitely made me stop and think how Joseph might have felt when he discovered he was praying in Egyptian or suddenly became second to Pharaoh or was given a wife through no choice of his own. In Scripture, Joseph is a picture of Christ, so the Bible doesn’t expose or emphasize any sin on his part, but this book did a good job of showing some of the human emotions Joseph might have felt. It also did an excellent job of sticking to the biblical dialogue and suggesting details without bending the facts. I did wish there had been some acknowledgment of the coming Messiah. No, the Old Testament saints didn’t know who that was, but it would have been awesome to see Joseph looking to the promise of the Deliverer—the seed of a woman, Job’s Redeemer, the one whose day Abraham rejoiced to see and whom Enoch prophesied as coming with his saints. I loved the book’s final definition of faith: not demanding what we want from God, but trusting that he is good and is at work even through what we don’t want. It was beautiful to see Joseph’s faith affect Asenath.
Other biblical characters and events were woven expertly into the story, such as the story of Dinah or Reuben’s loss of the birthright. Nothing was glossed over, and there were a few details of Egyptian rites, but there was nothing gratuitous, either—a fine and difficult line (especially when it comes to Potiphar’s wife). It was intriguing to think about the stories that might have been behind other stories—was the baker the only one who had conspired against Pharaoh? Was Joseph the only man Potiphar’s wife tried to get into her clutches? I never really thought about those things, but this book changed that. It’s an excellent, thought-provoking look at the way things might have happened. While I strongly encourage reading the biblical narrative first and reading this book in light of that, I’m also happy to say I’ve finally found a novel about Joseph that I enjoyed and can recommend!
Other biblical characters and events were woven expertly into the story, such as the story of Dinah or Reuben’s loss of the birthright. Nothing was glossed over, and there were a few details of Egyptian rites, but there was nothing gratuitous, either—a fine and difficult line (especially when it comes to Potiphar’s wife). It was intriguing to think about the stories that might have been behind other stories—was the baker the only one who had conspired against Pharaoh? Was Joseph the only man Potiphar’s wife tried to get into her clutches? I never really thought about those things, but this book changed that. It’s an excellent, thought-provoking look at the way things might have happened. While I strongly encourage reading the biblical narrative first and reading this book in light of that, I’m also happy to say I’ve finally found a novel about Joseph that I enjoyed and can recommend!
July 20, 2022
If you love Biblical fiction or are a Bible-believing Christian, then you need to read this book. Elizabeth Jacobson takes the age-old and often romanticized story of Joseph (the technicolor-dream-coat Joseph) and brings it to life. In this, Joseph becomes a flesh-and-blood person with real challenges, heartaches, and questions that we can relate to and understand. For me, this so much more than just a story, and it brought a new appreciation to what God is able to achieve with those who trust Him.
March 16, 2022
This book was such a beautiful read. This is the first time I'm reading a book about Joseph. There are many re-tellings of other characters but Elizabeth did this story so well. From the first page, the story drew me in.
I never knew that Joseph could be so relatable. I related to his character so much in this book. His struggles, his courage, and his faith were so great. I especially loved his prayers. A memorable part was when his prayers shifted from 'God of my fathers' to 'My God. That was such a remarkable moment for me. God is much closer than we realize and we just need to call on him.
Elizabeth really brought this story to life. I learned so much about the time in which Joseph lived, the culture, the way of life was told in a detailed way. His story really teaches forgiveness and immense trust in God especially in trying situations. Joseph really went through a lot and Elizabeth helps us empathize with his character. You will definitely want to dive more into the Bible after this story.
This book was really wonderful and I am looking forward to more by this author.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
I never knew that Joseph could be so relatable. I related to his character so much in this book. His struggles, his courage, and his faith were so great. I especially loved his prayers. A memorable part was when his prayers shifted from 'God of my fathers' to 'My God. That was such a remarkable moment for me. God is much closer than we realize and we just need to call on him.
Elizabeth really brought this story to life. I learned so much about the time in which Joseph lived, the culture, the way of life was told in a detailed way. His story really teaches forgiveness and immense trust in God especially in trying situations. Joseph really went through a lot and Elizabeth helps us empathize with his character. You will definitely want to dive more into the Bible after this story.
This book was really wonderful and I am looking forward to more by this author.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
March 9, 2022
Absolutely loved this book!!!
My full review coming soon.
My full review coming soon.
March 2, 2022
I loved this book!
I loved the authentic struggle Joseph goes through in this story to get to his radical forgiveness.
I love how Jacobson uses my knowledge of Joseph's story against me. I know what is coming, but all the ways and details the author fills in to show how that event happened, and what all the repercussions from that event mean to the characters and all the rest of the events was thrilling to read.
I love how the women in Joseph's life are the epitome of femininity the way God made women to be. Strong and wise and soft, adorable, humble, meek in the old sense of the word. Jacobson has given us the rare gift of authentic women in this story.
Jacobson makes the concept of radical forgiveness plausible and attainable, organic to real humanity. Everyone else who doesn't forgive is not living their full human value. Yet Jacobson's Joseph does not judge. I think she has brought new life to the biblical account and I highly recommend this book.
I loved the authentic struggle Joseph goes through in this story to get to his radical forgiveness.
I love how Jacobson uses my knowledge of Joseph's story against me. I know what is coming, but all the ways and details the author fills in to show how that event happened, and what all the repercussions from that event mean to the characters and all the rest of the events was thrilling to read.
I love how the women in Joseph's life are the epitome of femininity the way God made women to be. Strong and wise and soft, adorable, humble, meek in the old sense of the word. Jacobson has given us the rare gift of authentic women in this story.
Jacobson makes the concept of radical forgiveness plausible and attainable, organic to real humanity. Everyone else who doesn't forgive is not living their full human value. Yet Jacobson's Joseph does not judge. I think she has brought new life to the biblical account and I highly recommend this book.
March 16, 2022
Are you a fan of biblical retellings, with rich settings, memorable characters, and a unique voice that still stays faithful to the original Biblical account? Then Not by Sight is the book for you!
Immersive, enchanting, and familiar, this book is like the perfect comfort food, a delicious comfort read. It's warm and cozy, like a mug of hot cocoa on a chilly day. There's hope, resilience, faith, and love carefully woven into every sentence. Leaving you feeling peaceful and refreshed by the time you reach the final page.
What I absolutely loved the most were the characters. They were honest, believable, flawed, but also kind. My favorite absolutely being Asenath! She was so fierce, yet curious and kind, and there was something so inspiring in how she supported and pushed Joseph to become someone better. But, the character of Joseph surprised me the most of all! I've always pictured Joseph as this arrogant spoiled brat of a boy, who, after humbling, turned into a strong man of faith. But here, Joseph is a very likable character from page one, and I found myself rooting for him every step along his journey of doubt and fear, into faith and love.
Now for my content disclosure: the majority of the content is pulled directly from the original Biblical account, including references to Dinah's rape, Reuben's adultery, Joseph's slavery, Potiphar's wife attempted sexual assault on Joseph, the death of the baker, and Joseph's revenge/test on his brothers. The language is very clean. All sexual content is implied and happens off screen. For religious content, there are several praying scenes as well as scenes where Joseph wrestles with God, even fighting himself as He almost takes God's name in vain. There is also references to Egyptian gods and their sacrifices. Historically, there is a verse Joseph quotes from a later prophet, but it fits the message of the book very well. For these reasons, I'd give this book a PG rating, as while it discusses the darker parts of the Biblical story, it never gets graphic, intense, or in your face.
If you love comfort reads, memorable characters, and biblical retellings dripping in atmosphere and culture then this is the book for you!
Immersive, enchanting, and familiar, this book is like the perfect comfort food, a delicious comfort read. It's warm and cozy, like a mug of hot cocoa on a chilly day. There's hope, resilience, faith, and love carefully woven into every sentence. Leaving you feeling peaceful and refreshed by the time you reach the final page.
What I absolutely loved the most were the characters. They were honest, believable, flawed, but also kind. My favorite absolutely being Asenath! She was so fierce, yet curious and kind, and there was something so inspiring in how she supported and pushed Joseph to become someone better. But, the character of Joseph surprised me the most of all! I've always pictured Joseph as this arrogant spoiled brat of a boy, who, after humbling, turned into a strong man of faith. But here, Joseph is a very likable character from page one, and I found myself rooting for him every step along his journey of doubt and fear, into faith and love.
Now for my content disclosure: the majority of the content is pulled directly from the original Biblical account, including references to Dinah's rape, Reuben's adultery, Joseph's slavery, Potiphar's wife attempted sexual assault on Joseph, the death of the baker, and Joseph's revenge/test on his brothers. The language is very clean. All sexual content is implied and happens off screen. For religious content, there are several praying scenes as well as scenes where Joseph wrestles with God, even fighting himself as He almost takes God's name in vain. There is also references to Egyptian gods and their sacrifices. Historically, there is a verse Joseph quotes from a later prophet, but it fits the message of the book very well. For these reasons, I'd give this book a PG rating, as while it discusses the darker parts of the Biblical story, it never gets graphic, intense, or in your face.
If you love comfort reads, memorable characters, and biblical retellings dripping in atmosphere and culture then this is the book for you!
March 16, 2022
In Not by Sight, Elizabeth Jacobson presents a thoroughly researched and deeply immersive story. She captures the tension and conflict of Jacob’s incredibly dysfunctional family, showing how Joseph wants to please his father even as his brothers grow more hostile.
But even within this unhappy home, we see Joseph’s sweet relationships with his tragic sister Dinah and his little brother Benjamin. That makes it all the more wrenching when he’s ripped away from the life he knows and sold into slavery.
Although this is a tale we all know well, Elizabeth brings it alive. She seeds the early story with displays of Joseph’s organisational and planning skills and strong work ethic which will come to full flower while he’s in Egypt.
I appreciated her attention to Biblical accuracy, which is one of my sticking points with a lot of Biblical fiction. Not by Sight stays true to the details we have in the Bible, while expanding it to explore the emotional struggles and spiritual growth of Joseph and his family. Great job!
But even within this unhappy home, we see Joseph’s sweet relationships with his tragic sister Dinah and his little brother Benjamin. That makes it all the more wrenching when he’s ripped away from the life he knows and sold into slavery.
Although this is a tale we all know well, Elizabeth brings it alive. She seeds the early story with displays of Joseph’s organisational and planning skills and strong work ethic which will come to full flower while he’s in Egypt.
I appreciated her attention to Biblical accuracy, which is one of my sticking points with a lot of Biblical fiction. Not by Sight stays true to the details we have in the Bible, while expanding it to explore the emotional struggles and spiritual growth of Joseph and his family. Great job!
March 29, 2022
Let me be honest: I’ve never read a biblical retelling. I’ll go a step further and confess that my image of many biblical figures is rooted in the old Sunday school flannelgraph. There, I said it. But not anymore. Not after reading Elizabeth Jacobson’s debut novel, Not By Sight: a novel of the Patriarchs.
Her dramatization of Joseph’s life—and his faith journey—was both compelling and entertaining.
Entertaining because his story is a page turner made even more impressive because of Jacobson’s fascinating (and obviously well researched) attention to detail. Everything from the setting, the language, the clothing, and the culture were presented in a careful and thoughtful manner. Ms. Jacobson managed to cleverly invite the reader into that place and time rather than pound us over the head with impossible to remember facts. She truly made us feel a part of history.
Not By Sight is compelling because Joseph is relatable. Yes! We see him as a victim. We see him as noble and protective, and we see the other side of him as well. The not so good parts of his character. His flaws. His failures. His shame. We wonder...is he no better than his evil brothers?
Honestly, I was captivated by this novel. I feel like I have a better understanding of Joseph and why he did the things he did. He is far more complex than the flannelgraph I’d imagined. He struggled with his faith, really struggled, and I appreciated this. I recognized his despair, his flaws, his humanness…and I think, there is hope for me!
Bravo, Ms. Jacobson! This was one heck of a debut. Without a doubt, you’re a rising star!
Her dramatization of Joseph’s life—and his faith journey—was both compelling and entertaining.
Entertaining because his story is a page turner made even more impressive because of Jacobson’s fascinating (and obviously well researched) attention to detail. Everything from the setting, the language, the clothing, and the culture were presented in a careful and thoughtful manner. Ms. Jacobson managed to cleverly invite the reader into that place and time rather than pound us over the head with impossible to remember facts. She truly made us feel a part of history.
Not By Sight is compelling because Joseph is relatable. Yes! We see him as a victim. We see him as noble and protective, and we see the other side of him as well. The not so good parts of his character. His flaws. His failures. His shame. We wonder...is he no better than his evil brothers?
Honestly, I was captivated by this novel. I feel like I have a better understanding of Joseph and why he did the things he did. He is far more complex than the flannelgraph I’d imagined. He struggled with his faith, really struggled, and I appreciated this. I recognized his despair, his flaws, his humanness…and I think, there is hope for me!
Bravo, Ms. Jacobson! This was one heck of a debut. Without a doubt, you’re a rising star!
March 11, 2022
I’m going to start this review by saying that, though I like Joseph, I was never really drawn to him as someone I could relate to in the Bible. I’ve always felt that David was more of a kindred spirit. However, I was curious when Elizabeth announced she was writing a biblical fiction novel based on the life of Joseph, so I signed up for an ARC copy to see how she handled it, and this is my honest review.
Now with most biblical based stories I’m always a little leery of how the author will interpret scripture and where they will take the story. So it was with a little hesitancy that I picked up Not by Sight. But I was pleasantly surprised. The themes of faith, of finding strength in God even in times of trial were so strong and so well developed. It makes me want to read and reread this book (which I don’t normally do). This is Elizabeth’s debut novel, but it reads like one written by a master of the craft. There were a few minor differences of opinion I had on how she interpreted a few things, but none of it was major and none of it demanded that I withhold that fifth star that I so rarely give.
I struggle to reread books, because I’m a discovery reader and once I know the story, I don’t have a desire to return. Thus, it was hard for me to get into this book at first as I already knew the story and the life of Joseph. But Elizabeth had this way of transporting me into the story. I felt like I was in Ancient Egypt walking the streets of Itjtawy right alongside Joseph. There were times I found myself holding my breath, even though I knew what was coming. The love story she built between Joseph and his wife was so touching and so caring. And through it all, Joseph’s continued faith in the God of his fathers, even when he was brought before Pharaoh, was inspiring.
Elizabeth made this story come alive in a way I’ve never seen before. Never have I highlighted a book more than I did this one. There are so many passages that I just want to take and tuck into my heart and keep with me.
David is still my favorite biblical figure, but this book has made me see Joseph in a new light.
Now with most biblical based stories I’m always a little leery of how the author will interpret scripture and where they will take the story. So it was with a little hesitancy that I picked up Not by Sight. But I was pleasantly surprised. The themes of faith, of finding strength in God even in times of trial were so strong and so well developed. It makes me want to read and reread this book (which I don’t normally do). This is Elizabeth’s debut novel, but it reads like one written by a master of the craft. There were a few minor differences of opinion I had on how she interpreted a few things, but none of it was major and none of it demanded that I withhold that fifth star that I so rarely give.
I struggle to reread books, because I’m a discovery reader and once I know the story, I don’t have a desire to return. Thus, it was hard for me to get into this book at first as I already knew the story and the life of Joseph. But Elizabeth had this way of transporting me into the story. I felt like I was in Ancient Egypt walking the streets of Itjtawy right alongside Joseph. There were times I found myself holding my breath, even though I knew what was coming. The love story she built between Joseph and his wife was so touching and so caring. And through it all, Joseph’s continued faith in the God of his fathers, even when he was brought before Pharaoh, was inspiring.
Elizabeth made this story come alive in a way I’ve never seen before. Never have I highlighted a book more than I did this one. There are so many passages that I just want to take and tuck into my heart and keep with me.
David is still my favorite biblical figure, but this book has made me see Joseph in a new light.
March 16, 2022
You know those books that take a little while for you to get engaged in, but when you do, you enjoy them? This book was not one of them.
From the first chapter, I was immediately captivated. It was incredibly easy for me to get immersed in the world, the characters and the story. It was sooo good! — I don’t have enough words to elaborate on how amazing it is.
The writing was wonderful. I loved how it was eloquent but not flowery; it was refreshingly easy to read and understand.
I ADORED Joseph’s character. The story of Joseph is one that I am familiar with, but the way Elizabeth Jacobson wrote his story was really delightful.
Joseph’s faith journey was beautiful. To be honest, I was not expecting Joseph’s relationship with God to be written this way, but it made sense. So many decisions that the author made in writing this book made sense — they just worked.
I also appreciated how biblically accurate the book was, and how the author wove in little details of the story of Joseph in the Bible into the story.
I don’t know how many times I’ll say this, but I loved this book so much.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
From the first chapter, I was immediately captivated. It was incredibly easy for me to get immersed in the world, the characters and the story. It was sooo good! — I don’t have enough words to elaborate on how amazing it is.
The writing was wonderful. I loved how it was eloquent but not flowery; it was refreshingly easy to read and understand.
I ADORED Joseph’s character. The story of Joseph is one that I am familiar with, but the way Elizabeth Jacobson wrote his story was really delightful.
Joseph’s faith journey was beautiful. To be honest, I was not expecting Joseph’s relationship with God to be written this way, but it made sense. So many decisions that the author made in writing this book made sense — they just worked.
I also appreciated how biblically accurate the book was, and how the author wove in little details of the story of Joseph in the Bible into the story.
I don’t know how many times I’ll say this, but I loved this book so much.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
March 26, 2023
Not By Sight by Elizabeth Jacobson is a must read for both fans of biblical fiction and adult readers who wish to explore themes of purpose, forgiveness, and faith rooted in religious truth.
Elizabeth's debut novel follows the biblical figure of Joseph. For those unfamiliar with Joseph's story, or need a quick refresher, the story of Joseph can be found in the book of Genesis. The son of Rachel, Joseph was the favored son of his father Jacob. After being given a colored cloak by Jacob, ten of his brothers, fueled by jealousy and anger, sold him into slavery; however, what Joseph's brothers intended for evil, God used for good as Joseph did not remain a slave. Through God's guidance, he rose to a powerful position in Egypt and helped save many people in light of a seven year famine.
Written in third-person, the novel brings readers into this time in history following Joseph as a seventeen year old in Canaan to his forced trek to Egypt all the way through his thirties.
Elizabeth does a phenomenal job relaying the main points of Joseph's story while giving the characters emotional depth necessary for readers to connect with them. The author does mention in her note in the back of the book that some details may not be accurate, such as the presence of horses, but, from my reading, the larger plot points most definitely align with the Bible story. Overall, the story of Joseph shows how one man went from beloved, to being betrayed. Through his betrayal, he learned how to forgive and he learned what faith truly is. And through his faith, he became exalted and found a greater purpose than he ever imagined.
One of my favorite things about Elizabeth's book is that through her narrative, we can experience the internal struggle Joseph battled. We see the natural progression of his emotions and how he comes to have a real relationship with the Lord versus simply repeating words his father Jacob shared with him. This novel allows readers to see Joseph as a real, relatable person versus some distant figure of the past. Further, we see that Joseph was not perfect as he was simply a man. He had doubts and questioned God at different points on his journey. He felt bitterness and rage and sorrow for the terrible things he lived through that was outside of his control; yet, through his circumstances he decided not to feed into the negativity. He decided to make the most of his situation--he opted to bloom where he was planted.
This book allowed me to ruminate on the concepts of forgiveness, mercy, justice, and purpose. The lessons depicted subtlety and eloquently in the pages allowed me to get something out of Joseph's story I hadn't before. It reminds readers the truth that though we may not understand what is happening in the moment, even evil done to us can be used for God's good. Forgiveness is something we can offer those who wrong us, because God offers us forgiveness. In addition, people can learn to be better versions of themselves through their decision to follow God's teachings and choosing to grow in His word.
In conclusion, Not by Sight by Elizabeth Jacobson is a must read for adult readers. This biblical fiction novel will prompt you to not only think about what it really means to have faith, how we should treat those who wrong us, and how to cling to God's grace everyday, but it is a perfect novel to read alongside a study of Genesis chapters 37-50 to strengthen discussion about Joseph and what the Bible teaches through his life's story.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend adult readers add it to their shelves today!
TW: There are no graphic scenes depicted on page, but there are references to assault and executions which is why I recommend for adult readers specifically.
Elizabeth's debut novel follows the biblical figure of Joseph. For those unfamiliar with Joseph's story, or need a quick refresher, the story of Joseph can be found in the book of Genesis. The son of Rachel, Joseph was the favored son of his father Jacob. After being given a colored cloak by Jacob, ten of his brothers, fueled by jealousy and anger, sold him into slavery; however, what Joseph's brothers intended for evil, God used for good as Joseph did not remain a slave. Through God's guidance, he rose to a powerful position in Egypt and helped save many people in light of a seven year famine.
Written in third-person, the novel brings readers into this time in history following Joseph as a seventeen year old in Canaan to his forced trek to Egypt all the way through his thirties.
Elizabeth does a phenomenal job relaying the main points of Joseph's story while giving the characters emotional depth necessary for readers to connect with them. The author does mention in her note in the back of the book that some details may not be accurate, such as the presence of horses, but, from my reading, the larger plot points most definitely align with the Bible story. Overall, the story of Joseph shows how one man went from beloved, to being betrayed. Through his betrayal, he learned how to forgive and he learned what faith truly is. And through his faith, he became exalted and found a greater purpose than he ever imagined.
One of my favorite things about Elizabeth's book is that through her narrative, we can experience the internal struggle Joseph battled. We see the natural progression of his emotions and how he comes to have a real relationship with the Lord versus simply repeating words his father Jacob shared with him. This novel allows readers to see Joseph as a real, relatable person versus some distant figure of the past. Further, we see that Joseph was not perfect as he was simply a man. He had doubts and questioned God at different points on his journey. He felt bitterness and rage and sorrow for the terrible things he lived through that was outside of his control; yet, through his circumstances he decided not to feed into the negativity. He decided to make the most of his situation--he opted to bloom where he was planted.
This book allowed me to ruminate on the concepts of forgiveness, mercy, justice, and purpose. The lessons depicted subtlety and eloquently in the pages allowed me to get something out of Joseph's story I hadn't before. It reminds readers the truth that though we may not understand what is happening in the moment, even evil done to us can be used for God's good. Forgiveness is something we can offer those who wrong us, because God offers us forgiveness. In addition, people can learn to be better versions of themselves through their decision to follow God's teachings and choosing to grow in His word.
In conclusion, Not by Sight by Elizabeth Jacobson is a must read for adult readers. This biblical fiction novel will prompt you to not only think about what it really means to have faith, how we should treat those who wrong us, and how to cling to God's grace everyday, but it is a perfect novel to read alongside a study of Genesis chapters 37-50 to strengthen discussion about Joseph and what the Bible teaches through his life's story.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend adult readers add it to their shelves today!
TW: There are no graphic scenes depicted on page, but there are references to assault and executions which is why I recommend for adult readers specifically.
September 1, 2023
This is a tough one to review. A debut novel. A retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph found in Genesis. At times, it felt like narrative non-fiction, almost documentary style, outlining Joseph’s life, the favoured son of Jacob, sold off by his jealous brothers and his ‘redemption’ in Egypt after much mistreatment.
I think the reason I felt this was that I didn’t develop any warmth towards Joseph. The story, in my opinion, lacked the intimacy of emotional connection that helps a reader develop strong feelings towards the lead character so that they become their cheerleader. Because, we already know the big key moments of Joseph’s life, not having any emotional connection to him, it felt as if I was watching a narrated telemovie of his life. I knew the ending and the author lacked the experience to craft the story in a way that made me care for Joseph.
In saying that, the author did many things well. In particular, I enjoyed Joseph’s faith journey. Even though, it was a little stilted, we get to see a man who learnt to depend on God. I appreciated how we saw Joseph pray and things happened. I also appreciated the visual imagery Jacobsen created in describing Canaan and more significantly, Egypt, giving the reader good impressions of these ancient worlds of their time.
This is a 3.5 for me and as there are so many excellent Biblical fiction authors and stories, I won’t be recommending this one. But well done, Elizabeth Jacobsen, on your debut novel.
I think the reason I felt this was that I didn’t develop any warmth towards Joseph. The story, in my opinion, lacked the intimacy of emotional connection that helps a reader develop strong feelings towards the lead character so that they become their cheerleader. Because, we already know the big key moments of Joseph’s life, not having any emotional connection to him, it felt as if I was watching a narrated telemovie of his life. I knew the ending and the author lacked the experience to craft the story in a way that made me care for Joseph.
In saying that, the author did many things well. In particular, I enjoyed Joseph’s faith journey. Even though, it was a little stilted, we get to see a man who learnt to depend on God. I appreciated how we saw Joseph pray and things happened. I also appreciated the visual imagery Jacobsen created in describing Canaan and more significantly, Egypt, giving the reader good impressions of these ancient worlds of their time.
This is a 3.5 for me and as there are so many excellent Biblical fiction authors and stories, I won’t be recommending this one. But well done, Elizabeth Jacobsen, on your debut novel.
March 30, 2025
Not by Sight is the fictionalized story of Joseph from the Bible.
Jacobson is really good at highlighting family drama, both in Joseph’s family of origin and when he’s observing other families in Egypt. (And you thought families in reality TV shows had problems!) The emotion Jacobson conveys on the page kept me reading late into the night.
I feel like I’ve met Joseph because his character is so well developed in this novel, and the supporting characters are well developed, too. My favorite supporting character was Dinah, Joseph’s sister. I probably liked her so much because Joseph did. In fact, while they were separated (for years!), he prayed for her daily, and he never forgot her.
Jacobson did her research. I learned so much about Middle Kingdom Egypt, the period during which Joseph lived there.
If I had anything to fuss about, it’d be that I already know the story of Joseph. I knew what would happen next and what would happen after that. However, it’s so well written, that I was still enthralled, as would anyone else interested in ancient Egypt or historical figures in the Bible. Or those who need to forgive past wrongs (because Joseph had certainly been wronged).
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The prose is polished. The storylines are expertly woven. The descriptions are interesting and memorable. It’s a beautifully rendered portrait of the patriarch Joseph, and I don’t hesitate to recommend it.
Jacobson is really good at highlighting family drama, both in Joseph’s family of origin and when he’s observing other families in Egypt. (And you thought families in reality TV shows had problems!) The emotion Jacobson conveys on the page kept me reading late into the night.
I feel like I’ve met Joseph because his character is so well developed in this novel, and the supporting characters are well developed, too. My favorite supporting character was Dinah, Joseph’s sister. I probably liked her so much because Joseph did. In fact, while they were separated (for years!), he prayed for her daily, and he never forgot her.
Jacobson did her research. I learned so much about Middle Kingdom Egypt, the period during which Joseph lived there.
If I had anything to fuss about, it’d be that I already know the story of Joseph. I knew what would happen next and what would happen after that. However, it’s so well written, that I was still enthralled, as would anyone else interested in ancient Egypt or historical figures in the Bible. Or those who need to forgive past wrongs (because Joseph had certainly been wronged).
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The prose is polished. The storylines are expertly woven. The descriptions are interesting and memorable. It’s a beautifully rendered portrait of the patriarch Joseph, and I don’t hesitate to recommend it.
May 6, 2022
It can be a challenge at times to turn a Biblical story into a fictional account. The author really surprised me with how accurate the details were. I have read the story about Joseph enough to know it pretty well. While reading this author’s take on it, she captured the realism in great detail.
Joseph’s story is not all pleasant and while some of the topics are hard to read, they are accurate and done with grace and less graphic than perhaps other author’s have written. I’m glad nothing was left out because each part that Joseph goes through makes him stronger and has him rely on his faith more. His journey takes him through many trials which I think helped him to become more reliable and determined to follow God’s plan for his life.
I do enjoy getting a fresh perspective on people from the Bible. Remembering that it is a fiction book, I understand that some things may differ a bit. As long as an author follows the Bible closely a few minor changes that does not affect the actual story is not bothersome to me. I saw the way Joseph walked through forgiveness and showed me how it may be hard but it is what God wants us to do. Overall the book is well written and I’m pleased with the author’s writing,
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Joseph’s story is not all pleasant and while some of the topics are hard to read, they are accurate and done with grace and less graphic than perhaps other author’s have written. I’m glad nothing was left out because each part that Joseph goes through makes him stronger and has him rely on his faith more. His journey takes him through many trials which I think helped him to become more reliable and determined to follow God’s plan for his life.
I do enjoy getting a fresh perspective on people from the Bible. Remembering that it is a fiction book, I understand that some things may differ a bit. As long as an author follows the Bible closely a few minor changes that does not affect the actual story is not bothersome to me. I saw the way Joseph walked through forgiveness and showed me how it may be hard but it is what God wants us to do. Overall the book is well written and I’m pleased with the author’s writing,
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
May 14, 2022
I enjoy well-written biblical fiction that sticks to God’s Word as closely as possible. This book follows the outline of the life of Joseph but adds much to the plot to create an intriguing novel. The cover picture made me think of a Native American rather than a man portrayed in the book of Genesis. However, the opening scene drew me right into the familiar Scripture story. The author brought the setting, time, and characters to life in a realistic way, showing their thoughts and emotions, which, of course, she had to mostly invent since the Bible doesn’t tell all the backstory. The presentation of Joseph’s brothers’ resentment of him and their harsh treatment came across as realistic, and, as we know, form a recurring theme in this tale and greatly affect the main character. She presented Joseph’s faith journey in a way that it could have happened, although I believe he had more of a relationship with God from his youth—however, her version seemed genuine. I have read several novels of Joseph’s life, and this appears to be true to his life and time. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
March 14, 2022
Genesis 50:20 is my favorite Bible verse and Joseph has been one of my favorite Biblical figures since I learned about him, so I jumped at an opportunity to read Not By Sight, a Biblical fiction book about his life! This was actually my first time reading Biblical fiction and I'm so happy to say I loved it! The way Joseph is betrayed by his own brothers is heartbreaking to read about, but it's so inspiring to read about his struggles and how he gets through his time as a slave, both the good and the bad aspects of it. We actually get to see Joseph struggle with his anger toward his brothers, and even his anger toward God. Despite his hardships, Joseph's story also shows us the power of forgiveness, and what it means to completely trust in God. I also love how Jacobson gave us an interpretation of Joseph's relationship with his wife, Asenath, since we don't get to see much of their relationship in the original text. I think my favorite thing about this book was that it made me want to dive into the story of the Bible even more! I highly recommend that everyone get this book!
May 7, 2022
"Not By Sight" by Elizabeth Jacobson is the story of Joseph, the eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob. Joseph was beloved. He had his father's favor, and that was his ultimate downfall. Betrayed and sold into Egypt by his jealous brothers, Joseph has nothing to cling to except the stories of his father's God. The story of Joseph springs to life with historically accurate details. The portrayal of Joseph’s growth in faith, trusting his father's God, reflects a perceptive depth of spiritual understanding. This inspiring book will be appreciated by anyone who believes in the infallible truth of the Bible, the Word of God. This book has biblical retellings in rich settings, with memorable characters, and a unique voice. Hope, faith, and love are carefully interwoven into every word and line. Through extremely harrowing and distressing life experiences, Joseph becomes a strong man of faith in his radical journey from doubt and fear into faith and and love. I highly recommend this deeply fascinating book to all our readers.
May 15, 2022
Not by Sight is a Biblical Fiction story that is written by Elizabeth Jacobson. This is her first novel. This is a retelling of the story of Joseph - the 11th son of the Patriarch Jacob. Joseph, if you remember had his father's love and admiration. Which angered his brothers. His brothers sold him to Egypt. He is left with nothing. However, his faith did not waver.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book, is how the author did careful research to stay close to the story. The author really brought to life the way that Joseph lived - how the culture was back in the day. She also showcased how he trusted God in trying situations. You forget sometimes what Joseph went through and how God was faithful through all.
I am so thankful to have been able to read the author's debut novel. The story is well written. The author did a great job with creating a story that stuck close to the Bible.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book, is how the author did careful research to stay close to the story. The author really brought to life the way that Joseph lived - how the culture was back in the day. She also showcased how he trusted God in trying situations. You forget sometimes what Joseph went through and how God was faithful through all.
I am so thankful to have been able to read the author's debut novel. The story is well written. The author did a great job with creating a story that stuck close to the Bible.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
May 20, 2022
This is an interesting account of Joseph and how his life may have gone. I’ve always enjoyed reading about Joseph and his life. I mean, it’s not every day that you get sold into slavery! But why is it unique? I mean that happened a lot during his time period I’m sure. It’s unique because it doesn’t happen in our mainstream lives anymore.
We get the big picture of what happened to Joseph but we don’t get the day to day or what he possibly thought or felt about everything going on. That’s where this novel comes in. I love a good novel and Biblical fiction can be amazing if done right.
This is a debut novel and I’m excited to see what else comes from this author.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
We get the big picture of what happened to Joseph but we don’t get the day to day or what he possibly thought or felt about everything going on. That’s where this novel comes in. I love a good novel and Biblical fiction can be amazing if done right.
This is a debut novel and I’m excited to see what else comes from this author.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
May 18, 2022
Let me start off by saying if you only want to read the Bible for stories about Biblical characters, you should probably pass up reading this book. On the other hand, if you enjoy taking a Biblical account of Biblical characters and exploring the possibilities of what those characters felt and did, you should definitely check out this book about the life of Joseph and his brothers.
Examining his journey from living with his family to being a slave to his family being reunited, this book will take you on a journey. While I firmly believe Biblical accounts of characters need to be read and studied, I also appreciate the opportunity to explore the “what ifs” and the emotions these characters possibly felt as a result of their circumstances. This book kept me reading from the very beginning to the very end.
So if you enjoy Biblical stories that contain some fictional adaptations to explore emotions and more, check out this book for yourself.
Examining his journey from living with his family to being a slave to his family being reunited, this book will take you on a journey. While I firmly believe Biblical accounts of characters need to be read and studied, I also appreciate the opportunity to explore the “what ifs” and the emotions these characters possibly felt as a result of their circumstances. This book kept me reading from the very beginning to the very end.
So if you enjoy Biblical stories that contain some fictional adaptations to explore emotions and more, check out this book for yourself.
May 12, 2022
"Not by Sight" by Elizabeth Jacobson was such a great book that I read it in one setting. It is always a joy to read about Biblical characters that bring them out more than what's in the Bible. If the story doesn't contradict what the Bible says. This story doesn't contradict the Biblical story of Joseph, but readers have to remember that part of it is fiction but this book does enhances Joseph's story.
" To trust in God and serve Him must be to know that whatever happened, whatever it was and however terrible it seemed, would be used for His faithfulness—His purpose." this is my favorite quote from the book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
" To trust in God and serve Him must be to know that whatever happened, whatever it was and however terrible it seemed, would be used for His faithfulness—His purpose." this is my favorite quote from the book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
May 21, 2022
I am very careful when it comes to Biblical fiction, but this one was done really really well and I enjoyed it greatly! I have always enjoyed Joseph's story in the Bible. There is so much showing how God has a plan in everything, even the bad, when we cannot see any way that it will turn to good.
His entire story is just so deep and this retelling of it was just right for me. Joseph was made relatable. His story, while I know it by heart, was told in a way where it was like 'wow' that 'yeah, it could have', type thoughts. The author just really did a wonderful job with the book.
5/5
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
His entire story is just so deep and this retelling of it was just right for me. Joseph was made relatable. His story, while I know it by heart, was told in a way where it was like 'wow' that 'yeah, it could have', type thoughts. The author just really did a wonderful job with the book.
5/5
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
April 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The story of Joseph is already pretty extraordinary, and this helps you really see it through his eyes. It was hard to imagine how he could forgive his brothers after such a betrayal, but shows how God used his situation for the greater good. I cried when he was reunited with his father, I cannot imagine being away from family for that long, and wondering if they are even still alive! This was a great retelling of an amazing story in Genesis!
May 18, 2022
What an AMAZING retelling of Joseph! This book will suck you in, make you giggle, cry, and fully immerse you into Joseph's life, told in an in-depth way that is nothing short of beautiful. I loved that even though we know the story, like a movie you love and have seen many times, it's still not dull.
I can so say, go and read this book!
My digital copy came from Celebrate Lit. A positive review is never required, so this review is all my own.
I can so say, go and read this book!
My digital copy came from Celebrate Lit. A positive review is never required, so this review is all my own.
January 17, 2026
Beautifully Told Story Of Joseph !
Elizabeth Jacobson has a gift with words . You Will Feel Like Your There In Egypt !! Told with Life & Love in each word !! Redemption & Forgiveness is a Very Hard Thing to achieve , but Our Lord Jehovah is always there to help us . The Story Is Not New But Told With New Insight I Believe Came From Our Lord . Be Blessed An Read It !! Enjoy !!
Elizabeth Jacobson has a gift with words . You Will Feel Like Your There In Egypt !! Told with Life & Love in each word !! Redemption & Forgiveness is a Very Hard Thing to achieve , but Our Lord Jehovah is always there to help us . The Story Is Not New But Told With New Insight I Believe Came From Our Lord . Be Blessed An Read It !! Enjoy !!
July 26, 2023
Beautifully written
A thought provoking, beautifully crafted work that is Biblical and historical with a touch of artistic license. This book reminds the reader that Joseph had negative feelings but was still faithful and we can have struggles without losing our focus. The characters are well developed and the story is deeply personal. Highly recommend!!
A thought provoking, beautifully crafted work that is Biblical and historical with a touch of artistic license. This book reminds the reader that Joseph had negative feelings but was still faithful and we can have struggles without losing our focus. The characters are well developed and the story is deeply personal. Highly recommend!!
August 4, 2023
The story of Joseph in the Bible is probably my favorite. This book filled in the gaps, so to speak, illuminating what it might have been like for Joseph as he walked through the events that we know about. If you like biblical fiction, don't miss this book! I loved it!
November 8, 2025
Really enjoyable retelling of the Joseph story. The author shines when developing characters not much dealt with in the Bible, such as Potiphar, Joseph's wife, and Joseph's half-sister. I was really touched by how the author handled the reunion between Joseph and Benjamin.
July 25, 2023
Loved this so much!
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