Texie Susan Gregory

Anyone who has read the book of Exodus in the Old Testament, or has watched the movie the 10 Commandments knows the story of Moses and the deliverance of the Hebrews out of Egypt. What author Texie Susan Gregory has done in her book Slender Reeds, is take us into the lives of his mother, grandmother, and the midwife who the Pharaoh Ramses has commanded to kill all the newborn male children. These women are tough and complex.
From the opening chapter I realized that the author was a masterful storyteller—her words revealed the intricacy of her research, and her word pictures showing the history and places drew me into the people’s lives. She contrasts the grittiness of the plight of the Hebrew slaves against the opulence of Ramses and Nefertari in their palace. Then she shows us the goodness of God’s promises and the determined faith of His followers; up against the darkness and silence of Egyptian gods and priests who grasped at straws to keep their positions in the court. Excellent read for lovers of historical fiction and Biblical history, and a captivating emotionally moving story for all other readers. 5 stars… (más)

Slender Reeds is a remarkable debut novel by Texie Susan Gregory. Biblical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read and this book did not disappoint. The story of Moses and the bulrushes is a familiar story to many but what about his mother, Jochebed? Gregory writes a tale that is rich in Hebrew and Egyptian history--a history fraught with 400 years of slavery, sorrow, and uncertainty. She quickly draws the reader into the everyday activities of Jochebed and two of her friends whose lives have intertwined since childhood. Their relationships seeming to weave in and out of being close and trusting friends only to later be strained by prejudices and hurts. Would this three-stranded plait unravel and be isolated by discontent, self-absorption, and grief? Vivid emotions are portrayed as Pharoah's evil plan to get rid of the Hebrews comes to fruition...men led away from the community to labor elsewhere, women left to tend to the fields and families alone, and ultimately, male infants murdered. Is the foundation of faith in God's promises Jochebed's mother has laid strong enough to sustain Jochebed as she struggles to save her son's life? Will she find the peace her mama knew? Will she be able to trust God without knowing all the answers? Slender Reeds is a heartrending story of a people enslaved and downtrodden--did the Lord even know they were alive? It is a story of one mother's sacrificial love despite her doubts and fears of her life unraveling before her. Slender Reeds is a captivating glimpse into a much loved Biblical drama.
I received a copy of the book from Barbour Publishing. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.… (más)