Member Reviews
A beautiful collection of stories and Biblical references that discuss shame in the Muslim world. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring, educational read.
Audrey's tender voice speaks with the authority of one who has lived and seen first hand the controlling power of shame but also lives in the knowledge of her personal relationship with God has removed all the shame she felt whether through the shame heaped upon women of Muslim faith or the shame she felt of her own making. Audrey shares that the merciful Love of God can remove all shame and within the words she chooses carefully she invites and introduces us to a God of love. How God shows peace and honour and love upon people rather than shame,fear and darkness. A thoroughly great and enlightening read. I have suggested it to friends and look forward to reading this author again.
The premise of this book is very interesting and I would have loved to read more about the women mentioned (and how overcoming shame did change their lives),but unfortunately we only get quick glances and a lot of redundant repetition.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I promised to leave a review.
Admittedly, I don't know much about Muslim culture, or if there is such a thing as one culture, since Muslims live all over the world. So I was curious when I saw this offered on NetGalley.
The first thing that drew me in was the cover. I know, you can't judge a book by it's cover, but a good cover can get you to open the book. This cover is beautiful.
Next, the title. I misread this until half way through as Covered _in_ Glory: xxxx. Hmmm. What did _that_ mean. Honor and shame? Well, yes, of course, I always thought of Muslim women as having a less honorable position then men, and I appreciate books about women, so, I gave it a try.
Audrey Frank drew me in from the first chapter. I don't want to give spoilers, but I could have read more about the girl who ran away in the car trunk and what the story was there. She gave us a bit, but I'd like to see a whole book, please!!
Every chapter gives us a glimpse into a Muslim woman and the shame she feels/lives with. I loved how these women discover Jesus and what he thinks about them and how they find this out through the medical mission Audrey is attached to.
The writing is easy to read, written at very easy level. The things I wish this book had: a map showing where this was taking place and the villages the women come from (since many of the walked). And pictures of the women and children. I'd love to see the work that the team carried out to help these people. I know this is probably not something that could happen without putting these people at risk, but it would have been wonderful to see how they were helped.
Covered Glory, is such an eye opening book into what was previously for me, a somewhat misunderstood and unknown topic. I loved the personal experiences that Audrey shared that make it all the more real for me. I'm in the midst of the honor shame culture on a daily basis in the U.S.A and it has helped me to look for more than what's on the surface to the underlying problem. Thanks Audrey for being so vulnerable and sharing from your heart, so that we, your readers can reach out and help others who are caught in a web of lies and how they too, can go from a place of shame to honour.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I had hoped to have an insightful look into women in Islam and the shame/honour culture that is prevalent, what I got was book that is roughly 75% discussion of Christian scripture and doctrine. There were some interesting sociological discussions on shame/honour culture this was few and far between.
I think this book also suffered from a crisis of not knowing who it was aimed at as sometimes it feels like it is written for Christian missionaries and sometimes it looks to be aimed at Muslim women.
I was hoping for an honest and interesting look at Muslim women and the honour/shame culture. I didn’t want nor expect the Christian view on this and wasn’t impressed, I don’t want a biased opinion on the Muslim culture that is already prevalent in this world. I’m off to look for another unbiased and uncritical source, I would suggest avoiding this book if you want to learn anything useful
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
While I enjoyed the stories, hearing about the women who escape persecution, I feel it's a little heavily biased and the format is a little jumbled. At times, I had to go back and reread sections just to work out who people were.
Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, the author uncovers the powerful message of "shame" culture and how this impacts the lives of both men and women, particularly in the Islamic world. She shares some personal insights, as well as a few stories of women that she has come into contact with.
I enjoyed the personal glimpses, but did not realize that the book was in the main a Christian study book with extensive reflections on biblical Christianity. I was expecting more of a cultural/anthropological/sociological reading, buttressed by the author's Christian faith, and these expectations were not fulfilled. The biblical study parts also felt a bit scattered and could profit from some stringent editing.
Although I can see the potential this book has, it was not really for me.
Covered Glory
The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World
by Audrey Frank
Harvest House Publishers
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 20 Aug 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Covered Glory through Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley:
This book reminds us that Shane is put upon by one person to another, it is never something worn proudly.
Muslim women are coming out of hiding to tell their stories. With courageous voices they talk of the shame they have felt and their desire to be valued. Some tell whispered stories Of Jesus coming to them in dreams, dressed in light. Offering them honor instead of shame, freedom instead of oppression.
These tales narrate a secret reality for all of us, reminding us we all long to be valued, to be known, to be rescued. We all desperately need a savior.
In this book , you will meet Muslim women living in a culture with an honor-shame worldview that perpetuates their shame. You will discover how these women find freedom when they uncover their true selves, you will find that shame affects each one of us. We have all experienced some level of shame!
We learn too that while shame tells us we are unworthy, Jesus reminds us that we are somebody. We are reminded too that God’s word shows us that healing comes from him.
It is only when we begin to understand the honor-shame gospel that we are set free. And so is our Muslim neighbor when we learn to tell her of the love of Jesus in a language she understands: the language of honor and shame.
I give Covered Glory five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Book Court - Where I'm the Judge and Jury
CHARGE (What is the author trying to say?): To explore the Islamic worldview of honor and shame and their vital functions in our perceptions of Muslim women.
FACTS: Muslims live in a shame/honor culture. It is necessary to understand this culture in order to talk to Muslims about Christianity. Through brief glimpses into the lives of Muslim women, the author shows the influence they feel from their culture. The author also includes much of her personal memoir as well as Bible teachings. All of the information is good, but the presentation appears haphazard and disjointed. It was very difficult to follow the author’s train of thought. A different organizational theme would have been helpful. There is also probably enough information here for separate volumes, as it was hard to follow in this format.
VERDICT (Was the author successful?): Hung jury. The information was good but the format needs to be revamped.
#NetGalley #CoveredGlory
The author did a good job of explaining and illustrating, through true stories, the shame/honor worldview. It is very different then how we look at things in the West and good for us to know, especially when interacting with people with this worldview.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.
This beautiful book will introduce you to a completely different world view and moral system. The Muslim world does not revolve around one individual, but rather around the reputation of one community. If you do not fit in any way, for or shape, which could include something that is very much involuntary, like a birth defect, you may be shunned and even cast away. The author shares real struggles of these real women, and in many cases, their husbands and children, as well. It does not matter what their officials say about the way people get used to certain things, or their pride, as soon as unwelcome situation happens to a specific individual, the outlook takes on a whole new attitude. This book brings humanity to Muslim believers, that they are very open to receive help and a difference in their life.
Audrey Frank's book, "Covered Glory" kept me in tears but coming back for more. As she weaves together her personal story, the stories of women from a variety of Muslim cultures, and her own experiences working with Muslim women, Frank helps readers understand the Majority World's concept of honor and shame. The honor-shame worldview so different from the Western world's tendency toward guilt and innocence. Frank offers the reader a guided journey of the honor-shame worldview. She even helps readers see that shame, not guilt, was first experienced by Adam and Eve and that God's glorious Good News is that all of us can be freed not just sin, but from shame. Honor restored. That's her focus as Frank shares the stories of some Muslim women who struggled with their place in society as the downcast who lost face, but whom Jesus restored to dignity. It's a beautiful book.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Muslim worldview and what it's like to be a women in a Muslim culture should read this book. It will help you better understand your Muslim friend, and it will help you learn how to better articulate to her God's love for her and His ability to restore her to honor and dignity--that she can be clean, not just forgiven.
On the journey, you'll be challenged to dig into God's Word as you see just how much God's Word speaks to shame and restoration to honor. You'll want to read with your Bible handy so you can take advantage of the exercises at the end of each book that help you to digest the concepts of honor and shame and restoration. And, while you'll be tempted to read straight through for the stories of healing and restoration, don't miss out on what God wants to do in you as you study His Word, learning about honor and shame. Take time at the end of each chatper and really dig in to the "For Further Study" sections. You will be amazed at what God teaches you.
Just know that this is just the jumping-off point. After reading, you'll be hooked and you'll want to know more about how you can minister to people from honor-shame cultures. And you'll be well on your way with Frank's book, "Covered Glory."
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
What an extraordinary book! I learned so much about how honor and shame are seen differently in the Muslim culture. I think it is hard for many of us to understand the way that their culture is so different from ours. This book so beautifully addresses that and brings it the great love of God for all of the people made in His image. There is far more that makes us similar than makes us different. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who have a calling to apologetics.