Customer Reviews

Peculiar People

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Because I am a fellow author with the same publisher, I was drawn to this book for that reason. Also, I have visions of writing a sequel to my own novel, which is on the life of Jesus. That sequel will, like Peculiar People, involve the story of the early church. I took my time with Richard Soule's large book and enjoyed it. As other reviewers have noted, this is like two books in one. This modern story of a young archaeologist, an unbeliever, but with a "calling" on her life, uncovers the ancient story that recounts the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ. In places, I was so moved that I shed tears. The book is quite long--the opposite of what publishers are looking for these days. Christian publishers say busy people want little books, quick reads. I don't think quick reads are usually good reads. You get what you pay for -- and, I believe, our investment of time works the same way. What a shame people are too busy to read literature with depth! Richard Soule's story certainly won me over, and I was happy to give it the time it deserves. I think he did good job, considering the book didn't have the benefit of a professional, seasoned book editor. That's all that was lacking, and not by much. There are phrases and pieces that probably should have been changed. But, in general, I was truly captured by this book. The insightful ideas presented about the challenges the early Church faced, and the believable characterizations of Peter, Paul, Timothy, Aquila and Pricilla, and others, are still memorable for me. (I finished the book weeks ago.) My takeaway from Peculiar People has stayed with me. That's a sign of a good read. The Jewish culture of the first Church, and its struggles,confusion, plus the persecution the believers faced, has been dramatically and accurately described. I felt as though I was there and am thankful to this author for his obedience to the Holy Spirit, which certainly inspired him in this endeavor. Richard Soule is a wonderful storyteller.

When Tess Swift, a young archaeologist estranged from her husband, her family, and her God, steals an ancient scroll she mysteriously finds in the ruins of Ephesus, she expects it to bring her financial freedom to start a new life. Instead, she finds herself swept into a journey spiritual awakening as she reads about the trials and triumphs of the first-century church.
The scroll turns out to be the story of Aquila and Prisca (Priscilla), co-workers of Paul mentioned in four of his epistles. From Aquila's conversion in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost to their last years in Ephesus when Prisca meets a dying Virgin Mary, their story challenges Tess to examine her life and come to terms with her guilt. The bulk of Peculiar People tells the fictionalized story of the only married couple mentioned prominently in the New Testament, using real biblical and historical events as a dramatic backdrop for both ordinary and miraculous events in their lives. Broad in scope, Peculiar People covers the period from A.D. 28 to A.D. 78, giving the reader a vivid picture of the early years of the church and the Roman Empire.

I would have preferred to post this synopsis without a rating, but amazon insists!

As one studies the history of the early Christian church recorded in the New Testament, several names become familiar. Two of these names are Aquila and Priscilla, the married couple that worked along side the apostle Paul. Richard Soule cleverly writes a historical fiction novel with this couple at the forefront. Spanning from A.D. 28 to A.D. 78, Soule brings the early Christian movement alive in truly a unique way.

Archeologist Tess Swift illegally swipes an ancient scroll with the hopes of selling it to the highest bidder. Once she unravels the scroll, her life becomes intertwined with the contents of the scroll. Aquila and Priscilla have carefully recorded their experiences. Readers will become so emersed in the rich historical storyline you almost forget that you are reading this along with Tess. While fictional, Soule sticks very close to details such as the visitation of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), Paul's Damascus road experience and his work with Gentiles, the persecutions, the great fire in Rome, etc. Expect to meet Peter, John, Timothy, and host of other names mentioned in the book of Acts.

Some of the interesting highlights are how Aquila and Priscilla come together as a couple. There love is truly an example for all married couples! It is also a great joy to see how the early Christians banded together to worship and support one another.

Soule pulls Tess away from the scroll from time to time. Each time Tess examines her life --- past and present --- the written lives of the individuals included in the scroll influence her in ways she never imagined. The last portion of this book is very emotional as horrible persecutions are witnessed via the pages of this book and at the same time a young woman draws closer to Christ.

The experience from reading this book will definitely remain with you long after the last page has been read. Soule encourages us all to stretch our imaginations and read the bible with new eyes. These people were REAL, even more importantly the God they served and worshipped is REAL and LIVES today!

--- reviewed by Tyora Moody for Christian Bookshelf

Indiana Jones gets a new female counterpart, but young archaeologist Tess Swift is lucky she didn't try to steal the Ark of the Covenant from the first Indy movie. Tess is spiritually disconnected from just about everything---family, husband, relationships, God---except for a mysterious recurring dream about discovering an ancient scroll. The dream never included any advice for Tess to steal the relic...or did it? tess gets more than she bargained for when she discovers a history of the early Christian Church and the unforgettable love story of Christ's disciples, Aquila and Prisca. Prisca's destiny intertwines with Tess's in Richard Soule's plausible, inventive finale. Soule's work will undoubtedly provoke thought, debate, and soul-searching.

"Peculiar People" is in reality three books, any one of which could be a best seller. One concerns the life and the spiritual conversion of Theresa "Tess" Swift, an archeologist. Another details the lives of Aquila and Prisca, first century converts to Christianity. The third book is a combination of the two. It is 585 pages of historical fact and religious belief entwined with a fictionalized heroine.

Tess, who is estranged from her husband and her family, discovers an ancient scroll while working at an archaeological dig for the National Geographic. Instead of turning over her spectacular find to the association, she hides it, thinking that its potential value could be her answer to financial independence for the rest of her life.

She spirits the scroll out of Turkey into Italy, where she starts to decipher the parchment in a squalid flat in Rome. She discovers that the document recounts the lives of Aquila and his wife Prisca. Aquila had been present in Jerusalem during the crucifixion of Jesus and became an ardent convert to the Christian faith. Prisca was the daughter of a wealthy Jewish merchant, who, because of duplicity and amazing bad fortune ends up a slave to a vicious Roman master. Aquila had known and loved Prisca before disaster befell her and her family, and is reunited with her after she escapes her vile master.

Aquila baptizes Prisca and the rest of their story revolves around their travels throughout the ancient world, spreading the word of their new God and meeting and working with the likes of St. Peter, St. Paul, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. As Tess works her way through the translation, she experiences a change of character so dramatic that it almost explodes in the conclusion of the novel.

This is a very well written story of early Christianity that is revealing, inspiring and entertaining. Richard Soule does a remarkable job in weaving this fascinating tapestry of life and legend. A must read for anyone.

This amazing creation of historically accurate fiction immersed within a human tale written in gripping detail is extremely entertaining and envokes a cinemagraphic experience for the reader of immense proportion. A memorable and enjoyable journey of life in tumultuous times , its unique positioning of stories from modern day and the first century in perfect harmony expertly educates in an experience of visiting the lives of real and interesting people is full of drama, comedy,passion, tragedy and sweetness characteristic of our lives. It is a layering of stories of lives in transition and the world immediately after the beginning of the greatest story ever told.

A story-within-a-story, Peculiar People weaves the tale of a modern-day archaeologist with the story of the 1st century church. Tess Swift is an archaeologist who finds a scroll while participating in a dig in Ephesus. She has plans to use it for monetary gain, but wants to translate it first. Thus we are introduced to Prisca (also known as Priscilla) and Aquila. Never have I been so drawn into the lives of characters as when I read this book. I felt like I really was there with the early Christians. There were many moments in the book that moved me to tears. We get to know Priscilla and Aquila, along with other Christians of their time... as does Tess. She becomes as involved in their story as those of us reading, and through "meeting" these people, her life is changed.

One of my favorite books. I re-read this one at least once a year.