The First Love Story: Adam, Eve, and Us

Wow! At first I thought this was a book for women. I was right and wrong. Yes women will find special joy and depth in the perspective and retelling of this love story. But, as a man, I found a clarification of my own. Being together is more than avoiding loneliness. Being in love is worth the effort.

Another thought-provoking work from Bruce Feiler. I wouldn't have believed you could tease that much introspection out of the Adam and Eve story but he found a way to do it and relate it to the way we live today. Much to chew on here in examining and reexamining the most important relationships of our lives.

As another reviewer claimed, I definitely did not understand what I was getting into with this book. I was expecting some “lite” biblical commentary. It was neither biblical or orthodox in terms of biblical teachings. To the extent I made any progress through the book, it was only with a struggle. I would send it back but throwing in the garbage and making one less of these available in the market seemed more prudent.

Very well written and not theologically boring. Presented the story in a way that is not normally heard. He told how the story has been interpreted over the years by popular authors. Many stories have been written based on Adam & Eve's that we don't normally think of as being so.

A magical, thoughtful treatment of the First Couple. I recommend it unreservedly for anyone seeking illumination on stories from the scripture as they apply today.

As someone who believes that Adam & Eve’s story is both real and significant, I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoyed the content, references and organization of the book and thought it was well presented. It caused me to ponder on my beliefs and to consider how I personally can learn & grow by examining the relationship that Adam & Eve had in their lifetime. I affirm that anyone with an open mind can enjoy this book and will wind up with renewed perspective.

We truly enjoyed how Bruce tied the first couple's llove story into today. We enjoy all of Bruce Feiller's books and can't wait for the next one to come out!

This book is a very interesting treatment of the roles of Adam and Eve, though it will not be of interest to nonreligious people. The author says that this is a love story; clearly it is. There are extensive references to Michelangelo's creation parts of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, also to John Milton's "Paradise Lost." But one of the best parts of the book is his treatment of Eve's role. Eve is often blamed, even excoriated, for the evils of life, somewhat like Pandora in Greek myth. But remember that out of Pandora's box, finally, came hope. It is the same with the partaking of the fruit; we go through life suffering, but we learn from it and there is glory at the end. Eve should not be blamed but should be praised for having the courage to face the evils of life but knowing that, after all, she and Adam should indeed learn the difference between good and evil. It is extremely important to note that God created BOTH the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.I give the book only four stars because the author missed an important source of information. I am a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) and LDS doctrine casts much light on the story of the garden of Eden. For one thing, we believe that we were coeternal with God and that He therefore is not the creator of evil, a thorny problem throughout history. For another, we believe that there was a life before this and that this plan was all carefully laid out at that time and we accepted it before coming to earth, understanding that we would not remember that life before. A third point is that Adam and Eve were married by God; Adam speaks of Eve as his wife. Marriage is intended to be eternal, not to cease at death; on this earth our leaders have the power to seal such unions for eternity. A fourth is that it was impossible to have children before the Fall; one of our scriptures quotes Eve as saying that partaking of the fruit, whatever that was, was a blessing (although she clearly recognized with anguish the sorrows it would bring.) Sometimes we say that it was a fall "upward." Fifth, sexual union is instituted by God and is a good thing, not a sin as often believed in traditional Christianity. As such it is regarded as sacred, so that such union outside the bonds of marriage is a serious sin. Sex is the way that God instituted for us to gain a body when coming to earth. Sixth, as suggested, Eve actually led out in recognizing the necessity of partaking of the fruit. Blaming Eve is often used as an excuse for the oppression and degradation of women. On the contrary, she should be extolled, and that should be the basis for glorification of women.All that having been said, this is an excellent book. I recommend it highly.