Customer Reviews

Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Louis N. Gruber's novel asks one important question: If Jesus came back, would you believe? What makes this question so difficult to answer is the fact that Gruber's version of Jesus wears a suit and eats ice cream -- no robes and sandals for this guy! So is this modern-day Jesus for real or just another crazy guy claiming he is? Read along to find out!

Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy is a very quick read and displays Jesus, his personality, and his teachings as the author perceives them. A very imaginative work that poses thought-provoking questions about religion, prayer, sin, healing, miracles and faith. Short and to the point, this novel is mostly made up of dialogue -- description-lovers, beware! However, if you like to read stories that are quick, light and different, I would suggest this one with confidence. I would be interested in reading a second book by this author.

Christianity is predicated upon the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is the hallmark of several faiths, the subject of countless sermons. But what would happen if Christ returned to our hopelessly divided society as a quiet, softspoken man? Louis N. Gruber provides an intriguing answer to this question in his novel, JAY: A SPIRITUAL FANTASY.

Suffice it to say that today's theological world is as intolerant and inflexible as the scowling Pharises of 2,000 years ago. Gruber explores this intolerance in his book. When Jay Sonneman calls together a diverse group of clergy to preach love and inclusion--of all faiths, lifestyles, viewpoints--the religious "establishment" is shook to its very foundation. How could this man be tolerant of any faith other than Christianity? How dare he reach out to gays? To not condemn sin strongly enough? How dare he minimalize the many denominations that worship in his name?

And the stage is set, history is repeated. Persecution: of Jay, and his followers.

This book is unique; it reads more like a dialogue between Jay and his followers, less like a conventional novel. That, I think, was the author's intent. There is little character development, and Gruber should work on weaving more detail into his writing. That said, JAY: A SPIRITUAL FANTASY is recommended for its ability to move the reader to think. I give five stars for the story, three for the writing.

"Louis N. Gruber, MD," we are told about its author on the back cover of this book, "is a psychiatrist practicing in a state mental health system." We're also told he's "a communicant of the Episcopal Church." So the author is a psychiatrist working in a state mental health system who believes in Jesus.

That convergence is enough to explain the story line of Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy. Suppose a man comes to you and tells you that he's Jesus Christ, returned to earth. How would you know that he's not a mental patient ... or should be?

That's the thought experiment that Dr. Gruber sets before us. If the man's teachings appear at variance with the orthodox interpretations of the gospels, do we then regard him as a demon meant to draw Christians away from the real, historical Christ? Is the man's refusal to endorse any religion, or condemn any, to be taken as heretical to Christian theology and undermining preaching the gospel? What if he includes a homosexual in his circle of close followers? Does loving all mankind mean that you actually have to tolerate them?

What if Jesus came back and you didn't recognize him or, worse, that you didn't like him or agree with him? Is Jesus only Jesus if he's safely in Heaven and not in your face, if he shows up in slacks and an open shirt on your favorite TV talk show? Do you turn ice cream into the stuff of communion because it's pretty much all he eats?

How would you choose if he could cure the sick and walk on water, but your church condemned him as a fraud because he told his followers not to pray in words but in silent meditation?

This delightful short novel is full of provocative questions for Christians who aren't afraid that provocative questioning is damaging to their faith.

reviewed by J. Neil Schulman,
author, Escape from Heaven

Mr. Gruber , the author of this fine book, is a Jewish Christian. This what defiantly got my attention to pick this book to read. Than came the subject.
Jesus coming back to Earth?! In our modern society? What would happen? I have no idea, but the author defiantly "let it fly"! I love his sense of humor and his "little tricks", he used. Many times he've got me off guard, kind of ambushed me. The News people, the priests, the average... would they believe him? I wouldn't, but may be I should reconsider that one from now on.
This book is well written and has several very interesting angles which made me start thinking about my life itself. Only few books in my life had this kind of affect at me, but this one defiantly did.
I recommend this book to everyone...at least TO EVERYONE, WHO STILL HAS HOPE IN THEIR LIFE...
PS: for the first time, I wrote review with Vlad together and very proud of it.

One of the age-old hypothetical questions that Christians ask themselves is "If Jesus returned today, would we recognize him?" The common fantasy is that he would return as a homeless man and everybody would treat him like dirt, and nobody would know the difference. Or maybe he would be put in an asylum with all the other people who have claimed to be Jesus, along with Napoleon and Hamlet. Usually it stops there, with an admonition to treat the less fortunate than us better than we do, since they could very well be the return of the Messiah.

Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy, by Louis Gruber, doesn't go in that direction, though some of Jay's naysayers do think that he is insane. The book begins with advertisements left on the car windshields of various religious figures: an Episcopalian reverend, a Catholic priest, a Unitarian minister, and so on. The messages, along the lines of "Come follow me" and "Come when I call you," are followed by detailed instructions of where to meet. A man who introduces himself as Jay slowly convinces them all that he is the coming of Christ, and that they should follow him. They are full of doubt at first, but one by one he heals them of various ailments, speaks what's in their mind, and shows them how to pray effectively. They form a following, one that starts to expand as time goes on and word gets out. The press starts printing stories that take everything he says out of context to paint him as an occult figure or a loon. Jay's time with his flock is limited, however, and he has to teach them as much as he can before that time is up. He stresses that following him will be fatal to some of them, but that if they love him, they must persevere.

Jay is a parable of sorts, a comment on how humanity has spent too much time on the trappings of religion and ignored the substance of it. Jay mentions many times in the book how he doesn't want people to classify themselves, but instead to be as one with all. People worship objects that are said to represent him but instead have lost contact with him. His following starts asking him questions about Jay's previous visit, asking him about hell, if he really performed miracles, etc. He continues to avoid their questions by saying that the answers don't matter. That only he matters. "But you see, they do not worship me. They worship their thoughts of me." The representation of Jesus in this book is amazing. He's always laughing, with the ghost of a smile on his face even when he's being serious. He finds himself a slave to the power of ice cream, and they are always meeting at Zippy's to have a bowl of ice cream while they talk.

Being a parable, there really isn't much characterization in the book. I had a bit of trouble keeping the characters and their vocations separate in my mind, with only a one character (Angie DeWayne) standing out, mainly because she's not a member of the clergy. Jay is a force more than a character, and we rarely see anything from his point of view. Instead, we get the other characters' reactions to him. Given the type of story this is, however, that's ok. The story uses the characters to emphasize its points, and it's all the better for it. Each character plays his/her role in the story and we don't need to know more than that. There is also a Mary Magdalene character of sorts (conveniently named Mary) who wants to experience Jay in the flesh, but she is quickly rebuffed.

The one thing I was mildly disappointed with is the fact that the story is not well-grounded in place or time. It takes place in the South, but in an undetermined location. We get no sense of the world around what's happening, other than the ice-cream vendor wondering if this meeting of people, one of who looks vaguely Middle Eastern, might be a terrorist plot. Instead, the setting is almost surreal and self-contained. The only references to the press or the outside world are in how they see this "Laughing Jesus." This does manage to keep the story focused and perhaps more powerful, so I'm sure it was intentional on Gruber's part. It's not really that big of a fault, and is more of a personal preference than a knock against the story.

Otherwise, Jay is amazing. Whether you are religious or not, this story will affect you, with only the most jaded cynics able to ignore it. No matter what denomination you are, it will make you think about the way you worship, and wonder if you are placing too much emphasis on thoughts and beliefs and not enough on what those beliefs are supposed to represent. If you have no denomination, it may just get you to think about how you treat people, or how you are treated. Either way, this is a valuable book to read.

David Roy

About ten days ago I started to read a new book I just received in the mail. It was a gift from Dr. Gruber and it was autographed by him as well. It was a book called "Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy" by Dr. Louis Gruber. This is his second book as far as know. I have not read the first one yet. Well, give time and I will.

I slowly opened it up and three pages later I knew it was not a book just for reading. It was a thinking book. Any regular book works as a monologue. The author talks to you through the book. He tells you what he thinks about and you don't get to respond. You cannot agree or disagree. This book was different. This book was a dialogue. Questions were asked and answers were given. My questions were answered even before I asked them and I was at peace.

I believe that I recognized the good doctor there. I think this book is a result of a debate in Dr. Gruber's mind. He was one of the characters. Which one? You read it and find it for yourselves.

Jay: A Spiritual Fantasy by educator and psychiatrist Louis Gruber is an intriguing novel founded upon the personality of Jesus and the nature of his teachings. A master storyteller raised in the Jewish faith who converted to Christianity upon adulthood, Jay: Gruber's A Spiritual Fantasy draws upon a wide range of sources to present a an intriguing work of fiction that compels one's attention and won't let go. A fascinating literary fiction showcasing the human nature of Jesus Christ.

This book is a spiritual allegory based on Jesus returning to the world in modern times. First, he sends anonymous messages to ministers, pastors, reverends, priests, and preachers stating simply, "Come to me", "Follow me". Also, there is a rabbi among the group who plays a special role. Eventually all of them meet. They discuss theology on which none can agree ... Gradually at their gatherings Jay introduces thought-provoking questions and topics making them contemplate and question *their* faith. A few reach an understanding and recognition of "Who he is". Only one, the Greek Orthodox priest senses he has seen this man before, a man of olive complexion and deep brown eyes ... it later dawns on him, this is the same face as depicted in icons. There are differences, questions, and even arguments based on Jay's teaching, his words are dissected and his actions criticized by some, especially the media. His unorthodox methodology comes to the attention of a popular TV talk-show host & hostess and the the *fun* really begins ...

One effective twist in the plot is Jay's willingness to subject himself to a battery of validated psychological tests offered by a psychiatrist and the very *startling conclusion he draws ...The author builds up suspense and probes the hearts of Jay's followers. One of the most enjoyable writing techniques was the author's description of a "real event" in Jay's ministry which is then followed by the media headlines, portraying a "different" meaning and intent.

This is superb writing!!! I did not know what to expect from a book on a subject of this magnitude ... I was pleasantly surprised and blessed! I was spell-bound from beginning to end - unable to put it down. I finished it *almost* but not quite at one reading. I highly recommend this book! Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Louis Gruber has written a thought provoking spiritual fantasy to answer the question: What would Jesus be like if He returned to earth today? What would He look like? Who would recognize Him? Who would talk to Him? Who would He minister to?

Jay: A Spirtual Fantasy contains 269 pages and is very readable as well as logical. The cast of characters includes a dozen ministers that represent different denominations, a rabbi, a psychiatrist, and, of course, Jay.

Jay helps the reader to rethink the differences between different faiths and denominations in a humorous way. Televangelism, race relations, Eucharist, prayer, and healing are just a few of the religious topics that are touched on in this book.

If you want to examine your own spiritual beliefs, this is definitely a book you must read. While some questions may not answered, Jay will help you in your spiritual growth.

If Jesus came back in the flesh today, do you think you would be able to recognize him? Would you be surprised to see him wearing contemporary clothes, eating ice cream and cracking jokes with his friends, who call him Jay?

Would you devise a list of questions to test his validity, then become thoroughly frustrated when he dismisses your questions as unimportant? Would you risk losing your credibility, career, friends, and maybe even your life, to follow this enigmatic "savior"?

Louis Gruber has masterfully painted a picture of a world so obsessed with denominations, rules, regulations and theology that they have somehow forgotten the humanity of Jesus. (Funny, I thought this was supposed to be fiction...)

With a large cast of characters, Gruber focuses more on dialogue than individual character development. While our knowledge of the characters within the story is somewhat superficial, you will be amazed at how often you will find yourself and the people you know in the crowd of Jay's followers and critics.

Get ready to think, and maybe shed some scales along the way.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory