The Messiah Stones [Paperback]

Irving Benig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 1996

AN ORDINARY MAN.
AN ANCIENT SECRET.
A REMARKABLE QUEST FOR FAITH.
John McGowan lives a quiet, uncomplicated life--until he inherits a extraordinary legacy from his long-missing father. Fifty years before, archaeologist Bill McGowan made a wondrous discovery in the Holy Land: a set of carved, glowing stones that contained amazing revelations about the coming millennium. But the stones were lost.
Now John must embark on an incredible journey to unravel their mystery. With his wife, Sarah, at his side, he will witness a series of miracles that will challenge all that he believes. He will experience mystical dreams and visions. And finally, he will travel to Jerusalem, where he will come face-to-face with his ultimate destiny.
Powerfully moving and relentlessly suspenseful, The Messiah Stones is a tale of the human spirit in search of a secret, in search of faith, and in search of the Eternal that connects us all. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

First novelist Benig makes thirtyish college professor John McGowan the recipient of an incredible gift. John's father, who deserted his family when John was five, leaves an unexpected epistolary bequest that changes John's sedentary life forever. The letters detail the discovery of ancient relics that foretell the date of the final coming of the Messiah. John and his wife begin a search for truth that insinuates itself into their very beings. This mystery, written in memoir form, is at once contemplative, philosophical, and spiritual. Though there's no murder here, it still abounds with suspense. Recommended.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

When John McGowan responds to a letter informing him that he is the sole beneficiary named in a mysterious will, he embarks on a quest that leads him, his wife, and several others to change their lives. The will is that of his father, who disappeared when John was five. Bill McGowan was one of the discoverers of three stone tablets fashioned by the hand of God that absolutely promise the Messiah's coming in 2000; he became the stones' guardian until he was killed in 1967. Now his son is called to take up the guardianship; how he comes to accept that mission is this inspirational novel's story. Villard is banking a 150,000-copy first printing that the current bull market in pop theology will make the book a big hit. But first-time author Benig's prose is bland, his plot considerably more talky than eventful, his characters flat, and his religion a farrago of that twentieth-century hybrid, Judeo-Christianity, and New Age-ish stuff like reincarnation and out-of-body experiences--that is, it's at least mildly heretical. Ray Olson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Ballantine Books ed edition (October 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449910903
• ISBN-13: 978-0449910900
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating subject but very poorly written, August 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Messiah Stones (Paperback)

The first chapter held promise, but then it fizzled away. The characters were drab, undeveloped and just plain boring. The plot, which could have been exciting and mystical, boiled down to..."and we did this, and then this, and then that...and then we went here..." I am amazed that this book was even published, considering that it lacks suspense, the slightest drop of plot tension, developed characters, believable dialog...it reads like a book that every writing teacher and professional says to avoid.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever, July 21, 2010

By 

Crystal - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Messiah Stones (Hardcover)

This is a excellent read this is my second time reading it so glad i found it again...

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Glad I took it out from the library, October 4, 2000

By 

Justine Cardello (Nice, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Messiah Stones (Paperback)

I can only say that I am glad I borrowed the book from the library and didn't waste money on it. A title and subject with promise, but that's where it ends. The characters are interchangeable, the dialog dull and flat. Everything is the story falls into place without a shred of suspense--and you really have to suspend your imagination. How many college professors can just get up and leave their class whenever they want? Their children are conveniently packed up when necessary. And those dream recollections...great for an insomniac to read because they will put you into a deep sleep. The ending gives you no clue as to what the sacred stones are really about...I think the author was probably so bored himself that he just put in a period and said that's the end. I gave this book one star only because Amazon does not permit you to rate in the negatives