Jesus [Hardcover]

Walter Wangerin Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

This man: Consider this man who, by his power, his peace, his simple presence, and his fierce purity, quietly turned the whole world upside down. None other could evoke such joy at his astonishing deeds, such anger at his strange aloofness, such fear when he began to draw the attention of powerful enemies . . . and such heartbreak when the inevitable came to pass. Surrounded by a circle of close relationships---his mother and her extended family, men and women drawn irresistibly by the light of his personality, the authority of his words, the power of his deeds, and above all, by the depth of his love---this carpenter from Nazareth moved toward a singular destiny. A destiny he would both fear and embrace. A destiny that would mark forever the lives of those who followed him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Falling solidly within the genre of Wangerin's previous novels, this book often feels more like a Eugene Peterson–style paraphrase of the New Testament than an actual work of fiction. While Wangerin invents dialogue, events and characters that go beyond the biblical text, these inventions do little more than provide context for his retelling of the bulk of the four Gospel accounts. As always, Wangerin writes beautiful, descriptive prose, evoking the sights, sounds, smells, sensibilities and politics of the world in which Jesus lived. He nicely develops the character of Jesus' mother, but most of the other characters—including Jesus himself—are not adequately fleshed out, as Wangerin tends to use physical descriptions and one or two trademark mannerisms in lieu of full characterization. Judas Iscariot is tall, thin, young and manic; Simon Peter is burly and gregarious; and Mary Magdalene is a strong but tiny wisp of a woman whom everyone refers to as a child. Wangerin innovates a bit by alternating between third- and first-person narration, sharing Jesus' mother's perspective in the third person and the gospel writer John's in the first. Readers looking for a well-written novel that rarely veers from an entirely orthodox depiction of Jesus will appreciate this effort. (Nov.)
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Review

Falling solidly within the genre of Wangerin's previous novels, this book often feels more like a Eugene Peterson--style paraphrase of the New Testament than an actual work of fiction. While Wangerin invents dialogue, events and characters that go beyond the biblical text, these inventions do little more than provide context for his retelling of the bulk of the four Gospel accounts. As always, Wangerin writes beautiful, descriptive prose, evoking the sights, sounds, smells, sensibilities and politics of the world in which Jesus lived. He nicely develops the character of Jesus' mother, but most of the other characters---including Jesus himself---are not adequately fleshed out, as Wangerin tends to use physical descriptions and one or two trademark mannerisms in lieu of full characterization. Judas Iscariot is tall, thin, young and manic; Simon Peter is burly and gregarious; and Mary Magdalene is a strong but tiny wisp of a woman whom everyone refers to as a child. Wangerin innovates a bit by alternating between third- and first-person narration, sharing Jesus' mother's perspective in the third person and the gospel writer John's in the first. Readers looking for a well-written novel that rarely veers from an entirely orthodox depiction of Jesus will appreciate this effort. (Nov.) -- Publisher's Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; First Edition edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310266734
• ISBN-13: 978-0310266730
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #840,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Biblical Fiction

More About the Author

Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book of Jesus, November 13, 2005

By 

Robert W. Kellemen "Doc. K." (Crown Point, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

"Jesus" is the third in Walter Wangerin's trilogy of novels on the Bible, following "The Book of God" (a fictionalized, edited account of the entire scope of the Bible) and "Paul" (a fictionalized, account of the life of Saint Paul). As in his earlier volumes, Wangerin puts to work his renowned story-telling ability toward the task of dramatizing the life of Christ, retelling the biblical gospel narrative for a contemporary audence. Ever the raconteur, Wangerin evokes the deep and powerful emotions that motivate all human behavior.

In some ways, "Jesus" has the feel of "Wangerin Meets Peterson," that is, "Jesus" is something of a narrative in genre and a Eugene Peterson ("The Message") paraphrase. Such a comparison is not faint praise. Rather, it communicates how beautifully and poetically Wangerin's descriptive prose evokes the very real life of Christ.

For Christians wanting a fresh read on the "old, old story," and for the seeker wanting a post-modern narrative telling of the story of Christ, "Jesus" will provide hours of delightful reading.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and unique retelling of Jesus' life, December 16, 2005

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

If you've grown up in the church, you may have heard the story of Jesus so many times you don't really "hear" it anymore. But in the capable hands of storyteller and National Book Award winner Walter Wangerin Jr., this classic captures our attention in a new way.

Wangerin switches back and forth between the viewpoint of Mary, Jesus' mother ("Mim"), and the disciple John (called "beloved") to tell the story, which opens at the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem when Jesus is 12. A long narrative from Mary to Jesus in italics serves to fill in the details of her unexpected pregnancy, marriage, and the nativity of Christ.

Readers will enjoy Wangerin's imagining what Jesus might have looked like (heavily freckled with a tight cap of curly reddish brown hair!) and his mannerisms (ticklish, accessible but unknowable). In Wangerin's narrative, Jesus is an only child who works as a carpenter with his father until Joseph meets an untimely, accidental death.

But what really sings in this narrative is the relationship between Jesus and his mother, as seen from her perspective. When Jesus returns to Nazareth to begin his ministry by reading in the temple, he's first warmly welcomed, then driven away by his small hometown. We feel Mary's pride in her son, and then her pain at his rejection.

Later, when Jesus goes away alone, she follows him to give him some tragic news. In beautifully crafted prose, Wangerin describes the scene as Mary tells Jesus that his beloved cousin John the Baptist is dead. "Heaven is sandy with stars, the myriad marks of God's promises, the heavenly host all holding their breath --- so Mary imagines --- preparing to weep with Jesus." Later, Jesus whispers to her, "Oh Mother, Mother --- how I loved my cousin." And Mary, who calls Jesus "My baby," (as well as "Yeshi"), comforts him as he falls asleep on her lap.

Wangerin excels at offering specific details about the culture of the time period in which Jesus lived. The wedding at Cana is embellished with a bridal procession where lusty lyrics are sung: "How sweet is your love, O sister, my bride! And sweeter your loving than spices and wine." Wangerin spends several pages explaining interesting details about the wedding ceremony and the honor involved in providing enough food for seven days of celebration. Jesus' miracle, he shows, saved the bridegroom's family from shame and dishonor. Nice details for contemporary readers.

In another retelling of the biblical narrative, he opens a chapter with the terse observation: "Magdala stinks." Wangerin goes on to explain that fish were dried and pickled there, and includes plenty of details about the fishing life. The stage also is set for an encounter with Mary ("Maryam"), whom he will deliver from seven demons. Wangerin fleshes out some of the more practical aspects as well. When Jesus and his disciples are on the road, Wangerin describes how Mary wanders the hillsides and ravines, finding the right herbs to cure the ills and injuries incurred by the little band of believers (Simon has a bad cough, for example). Wangerin is specific in his descriptions, which makes the story richer.

Particularly nice is a short section that imagines some of the interactions between John and Mary after Jesus' death and resurrection. John is now entrusted with Mary's care, and he finds her a bit of a challenge. She can't help interrupting him and correcting the details of his stories as he shares the Good News and the marvelous works of Jesus. "No, not Jericho. He did that near the pool of Siloam...." made me chuckle.

While many readers may enjoy some of the juicy, Wangerin-ish dialogue between the characters, it occasionally creeps over the top. "Calculate before your promise, partner," says a bandit to Simon in response to his threats. Sounds a little bit like a late night western. But if you love Wangerin's style of writing, this sort of thing won't trouble you. It's part of his unique voice and inimitable storytelling style.

This beautiful, unique retelling of the life of Jesus should find a home on the bookshelves of any Christian who wants a fresh perspective on their faith.


--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. [...].

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Account of the Greatest Story There Is, January 9, 2006

By 

A. Bach - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

Walter Wangerin's book, Jesus, is incredible. Given that its topic is one of the most dissected, speculated-about, and, ultimately, complex and compelling stories ever known to mankind, I was at first skeptical as to what exactly this book would recount.

That skepticism dissolved quickly.

Wangerin does an incredible job of showing Jesus, not only as the divine, but as the humane, as well. Often, Christians forget what made Jesus so appealing to his followers: that he was the divine, alive in a form that they, as mortals, could relate to. This book shows much of Jesus' human side: his laughter and happiness at the wedding at Cana, his terse reproachment of his mother's desire to spare him from the pains that God had placed before him, etc.

Often, it is easy to get lost in the events of the New Testament. Fortunately, we, as Christians, have Wangerin's book to give a clear view on the events of Jesus' life, and of the time period that would forever change the world.