Father Elijah: An Apocalypse [Hardcover]

Michael O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1996

"One is almost agog at the dexterity-the artistry really-with which O'Brien shapes enormously charged material into a narrative which exhibits the integrity one finds only in the very best fiction"......Thomas Howard..Author, C.S. Lewis: Man of Letters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Set at the end of this century, Father Elijah is an apocalyptic novel exploring the state of the modern world and religious scene by following the experiences of Fr. Elijah Schafer, a Carmelite priest on a secret mission for the Vatican which embroils him in a series of crises and subterfuges affecting the ultimate destiny of the Church. Father Elijah is a convert from Judaism, a survivor of the Holocaust, a man once powerful in Israel. For twenty years he has been "buried in the dark night of Carmel" on the mountain of the prophet Elijah. The Pope and the Cardinal Secretary of State call him out of obscurity and give him a task of the highest sensitivity: to penetrate into the inner circles of a man whom they believe may be the Antichrist. Their purpose is to call the Man of Sin to repentance, and thus to postpone the great tribulation long enough to preach the Gospel to the whole world. In this richly textured tale, Father Elijah crosses Europe and the middle East, moves through the echelons of world power, meets saints and sinners, presidents, judges, mystics, embattled Catholic journalists, faithful priests and a conspiracy of traitors within the very House of God. This is an apocalypse in the old literary sense and written in the light of Christian revelation. Father Elijah is an engaging, can't-put-it-down novel! -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press; 1st ed edition (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705800
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705805
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #741,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sets a new standard for apocalyptic literature, February 6, 2004

By 

Robert Knetsch "Wanna-be theologian" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Father Elijah: An Apocalypse (Paperback)

I these days of the Left Behind series literary fiasco, it is refreshing to read a book that is not only theologically thoughtful, but extrememly well written and fascinating. There is an odd but effective mixture of horror mixed with remarkably deep Christian meaning in addition to adept social commentary. Anyone who takes Christianity seriously and who has a certain amount of introspection (which the Left Behind series does NOT appeal to) will love this series.

A warning to my fellow protestants: this book is unabashedly Catholic. If you are uncomfortable with minor Mary veneration and a greater focus on relics, you may sometimes be annoyed. However, given the reality of history, this is an accurate reflection on a Catholic approach to Christianity. Moreover, it does not fail at being Christocentric.

Read and enjoy!

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Apocalypse Novel I've Ever Read, June 15, 2000

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Father Elijah: An Apocalypse (Hardcover)

I'll be honest. Apocalyptic literature has not been my number one interest. Much of what I've read in this genre has seemed to be unbelievable; relying overmuch on the "fantastic". "Father Elijah" is different. Very different.

Item: The author has a good grasp on the apocalyptic books of Scripture -- better, even, than many "Bible Christians".

Item: The author has a good grasp on the inner workings of the Church.

Item: The author has a good grasp of current events. Because of this, he is able to posit believable scenarios.

Item: The author has an excellent grasp of the human heart and soul; what it means to serve God; what it means to live in obedience; and what it means to be a priest.

Item: Finally, the author has an excellent grasp of God's overwhelming desire for the redemption of all His creation -- and the free will to choose to accept -- or deny -- the redemptive offering.

"Father Elijah" is a must read. I give it my hearty endorsement.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leave Left Behind and Cling to Children of the Last Days!!!, July 22, 2004

By 

Dr. (Montgomery, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Father Elijah: An Apocalypse (Paperback)

While I am not a Catholic, I can recognize great literature when I read it. I read this book and now I'm well into the whole series. The author offers great characters, solid plots, powerful descriptions of the real struggle between good and evil. It is a sad commentary that the fictional Left Behind series has done so well and few people know about this far better series. I suppose that as long as comic books out sell great books then this will happen, but I call for all lovers of fine literature to push the fluff stuff aside, put down the shallow and empty Left Behind hype and read some real literature!