Customer Reviews

Dear and Glorious Physician

5 star:		(51)
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3 star:		(1)
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I read this book years ago, as a teenager struggling with my own inner demons. It was one of the few books that made me cry, there were so many beautifully crafted scenes of humanity and redemption that resonated with what I was going through at that point in my life. Luke's mixed feelings and sometimes disdain for his father echoed some of the same feelings that I had for my parents, and woken me to the shame of having such unworthy feelings. Luke's lost of faith echoed my own inner struggles for identity, my constant feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, and my then slowly dying faith in Christianity. My favorite scene in the whole book was a little story Mary told Luke: Lucifer, the Morningstar (portrayed here as an infinitely beautiful angel whose perfection is only marred by his own pride), took a clump of soil from the earth and showed it mockingly to Jesus, indicating that everything Jesus strives for is nothing more than dirt. Jesus then took up another clump of soil, and a plant grew and blossomed in his hand. Somewhere along the way, during those difficult years, I had also come to realise that this world, this life I've been given, is full of beauty and worthy things to struggle for and cherish, if only I would open my eyes and see them. I loved this book. BUY IT if you wish to read a fictionalised but touching account of St. Luke's life.

This novel is reminiscent of those that James Michener or Coleen McCullough write--that is, big, sweeping novels with historical content. Caldwell really brings Luke to life, from his beginnings as the young son of a greek freedman in the Roman Empire, to his ultimate search for Christ. Luke's spiritual search begins as a young child and continues throughout the Roman Empire, from a meeting with mysterious Chaldean priest, an encounter with Emperor Tiberius, up to his meeting with Mary, mother of Jesus. The background makes the Roman empire and the holy land in that time come to life. If you like historical novels, you can't go wrong with this one.

This is not only a great period read, but a truly outstanding novel. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. Caldwell's research of the time period helps make the novel more believable, and makes the reader feel as if they were in the first century Roman Empire. Caldwell pays fine attention to detail when describing her settings, emotional natures, and physical traits of her characters. An example can be found on page 493; "The earth danced in heat waves; the sea flashed like blue fire." Here Caldwell personifies the earth, and uses simile to provide imagery of Lucanus's searching, and his attempts to record the life of Jesus. Again in the journey narrative, Caldwell uses metaphor to bring an ominous atmosphere to the mind's eye saying, "The moon was a yellow skull in the dark sky." Caldwell is careful not to clutter the work with description; she develops the plot well. I found her writing style easy to follow, which engages the reader and keeps them wanting more. There is no overwhelming theme of the novel; the book follows one man's journey, Lucanus (St. Luke), to come to know God and document the life of Christ. Although the book is religous in nature, Caldwell gives an objective perspective and does not preach to the reader. This is a great novel for people of all walks of life.

Taylor Caldwell's book on Luke the physician who in his later years traveled with St. Paul and who is believed to have authored "the Gospel according to Luke" is a masterpiece. The time Ms. Caldwell spent staying in and studying the Mediterranean world as well as absorbing all the information she could find about Luke paid off. This book is absolutely fascinating -- full of action, very well researched and written so vividly as to make the reader feel that he is living right there with Luke and accompanying him on his journey through life, his search for meaning in life and his first-century A.D. world. The problems of the physician in those times weren't much different from today in terms of trying to cure disease, bring new lives into the world and help the dying to leave it with as little pain and suffering as possible. What is very interesting is how much the physicians of his time did know, knowledge which was much more than our 20th-century generations give them credit for. However, for a man who outwardly had a very successful life, the real meat of the story lies in his feelings of being unfulfilled in his work and his constant seeking and yearning for deeper meaning to his life. Where he travels, whom he meets and how he finally comes to the discovery of this meaning bring the inner man to life and give us an excellent insight into this most special physician. I could hardly put the book down and and have lent it out so much that it is falling apart! Was delighted to find a hard-cover version for my library on Amazon.com.

Reading Dear and Glorious Physician moved me and has re-kindled my own passion for my faith in Christ-God. As a literary piece, I find it to be full-bodied, rich in texture and brings to life the life and times of St. Luke. Caldwell successfully stimulates the senses as she brings to the fore the smells and scents, the sights and sores, the music and chaos in those times. Burrowed in the pages, I am always transported! What else can I say? Oh Yes, I read up to the Acts of the Apostles, as she intimated.

This book, which tells the life of St. Luke from a young boy through adulthood, was one on the defining pieces of literature in my life. I read it at age 15 and am now reading it again with my 10 year old son. Beyond the spell binding story, vivid descriptions, and high drama are themes of perserverance, kindness, humility, and above all, humanity. This book should be required reading for anyone considering a career in medicine.

I have loved Taylor Caldwell for 25 years, since I was in my teens. This book is hands down my favorite. She brings Luke and the historical events surrounding him to life with her stunning prose and descriptive text. I have read this book no less than 4 times and each time enjoy it more than the last. It renews my faith and brings me closer to God with every read through. I also recommend Great Lion of God, The Earth is the Lord's, and I Judas.

To read this book is to walk in the shadow of Luke as he grows, learns, and practices medicine. You FEEL his love of God and his loves and heartbreaks.

I also strongly recommend Taylor Caldwell's "Great Lion of God" (St. Paul-first enemy of Christ then THE Apostle to the Gentiles) and "I, Judas" (Judas-the follower who became the betrayer because he did not understand/agree with the divine plan. Meet all three of these men on a very personal basis. Read and marvel at how God uses each of us to His own purpose so His plan can be fulfilled.

Love this book about the physician, Luke, who wrote the Gospel according to Luke. Fiction, yes, but such an accurate depiction of the human struggle for spiritual relevance and the rebellion of the human soul. The detail and depth of characters, the complex and rewarding plot and the historical accuracy make this one of the finest works ever done by any author, in my opinion. Rarely does reading the last page cause such a sigh of satifaction. I am buying another because I've loaned mine out so often.

I first read this book over 20 years ago while attending a private catholic college and studying nursing. It had a profound effect upon me then and continues to move me to this very day. Ms. Caldwell's soaring prose and well researched knowlege of medicine in biblical times draw one into the world of Luke the gospel writer and keep you there. This book brings the like of Luke and the life of the Christ home to the reader and encourages one the reach farther and look further. It deepened my faith . With all the fuss concerning Mel Gibson's new film "The Passion of the Christ" it is good to read something that brings you a greater understanding of the sacrifice made for us without the visually distressing pictures.