He's Back [Hardcover]

Theodore Roosevelt Gardner II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2000

Jesus Returns: A controversial, Gripping Tale

Many believe Jesus will return to earth. If he did, what would happen? Would he be worshiped or jailed? HE'S BACK explores the prophesied return of Jesus for the millennium. This twisting and turning story is peopled with colorful and unforgettable characters across the spectrum of time and beliefs: The eloquent Jesus, whose message is simple, the multimillion dollar histrionic T.V. evangelist who feels threatened by Jesus, his faithful wife, the embittered cynical, ex-priest, reporter who calls himself the Debunker of Myths, and the misguided young woman tied to the wrong profession. Jesus II, man or myth? Can you decide?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The passengers at LAX know something is up when "absolutely biblical" lightning and thunder, the likes of which might herald "the end of the world," split the sky. Things get even weirder when a dark-skinned guy in a white robe, who never boarded the plane, strolls down the exit ramp: he is Jesus Christ, come again. This story of Christ's return is told from the vantage point of several narrators, starting with Frankie Foxxe, an ex-priest and self-styled debunker of myths, and Millie Brodsky, a patient in a mental hospital. But the most interesting character is Michael Lovejoy, a surfer dude who's the son of two theologians named Amos and Andi. Jesus befriends him, and Michael opens up immediately, confessing that he disappointed his parents by not attending college. Michael becomes a devoted disciple, and meets a lovely lady named Mary, a former prostitute. He brings Mary and Jesus home to meet his folks, who grill Jesus about his financial backing and his teachings (Jesus' message is similar to that of 2,000 years ago, but with a multicultural emphasis on combating ethnocentrism and bigotry). As Michael evolves into an increasingly prominent Jesus devotee, he and his father become estranged; indeed, Amos is so furious with his son that one night he decks him, and Jesus quietly urges his follower to honor his father and turn the other cheek. The novel's hush-hush "surprise" ending is more predictable than shocking, but its repackaging of a familiar story is engaging nevertheless. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A Best of 2000 pick for Overall Fiction. "...humorous and tongue-in-cheek with a totally unexpected ending. Readers will ask themselves, 'What if...'" -- Today's Librarian (December, 2000)

Bravo! A terrific book with a delicious ending... -- —Robert Lindsey, best-selling author of The Falcon and the Snowman and A Gathering of Saints

Engaging. -- Publishers Weekly, July 24, 2000

Novelist extraordinaire...tour de force... -- —Dennis McDougal, author of The Last Mogul

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 495 pages
• Publisher: Allen a Knoll Pubs; 1st edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888310111
• ISBN-13: 978-1888310115
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,063,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dear Reader,

Currently all the books published by Allen A. Knoll Publishers are listed under the name of Theodore Gardner II, one of the authors. We are working to correct this error.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging novel of colorful characters, February 2, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: He's Back (Hardcover)

In Theodore Gardner's He's Back, a man steps off an airplane at LAX claiming to be Jesus Christ come back to earth. What follows is an engaging novel of colorful characters spanning the spectrum of time and beliefs. Their is the eloquent Jesus with a simple message, hist faith wife, an embittered and cynical ex-priest, a reporter who styles himself the "Debunker of Myths", and a misguided young woman tied to the wrong profession. A fascinating, thoroughly entertaining story, He's Back is one of those tales that grips the reader from page one and just won't let go!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking, October 10, 2000

By 

gillian pilgrim "Roberta Jean" (the dusty central valley) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: He's Back (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book - the separate voices, one chapter after another, allowing events to unfold through the eyes of all participants, was a pretty original choice. I was never sure whether it was supposed to be a was he, wasn't he mystery, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. I've recommended it to several people of various religious backgrounds, and it's been the basis for many interesting conversations. If anyone enjoyed this book, I also recommend "The Last Day", by an author whose name slips my mind.

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting and original!, December 7, 2008

By 

Athalia Stoneback (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: He's Back (Hardcover)

If you think the religious right is ridiculous, you will definitely get a kick out of He's Back by Theodore Roosevelt Gardner II. The constant jammering at Biblical doctrine is lighthearted and philosophical at the same time. A surprise twist at the end makes this book a "don't miss" story.

-Athalia Stoneback