Saving Erasmus: A Novel (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Angel of Death, John Luther Zwingli, Andrew Benoit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cross the prophet Job with It's a Wonderful Life and you get this award-winning poet's first-person debut novel, rife with strangeness and humor. When the angel of death climbs out of a broken washing machine and announces that the town of Erasmus is about to be destroyed, Andrew Benoit, a pastor fresh out of seminary, only has a week to save it. Erasmus turns out to be a "Potterville" where a Mrs. Primrose Davenport owns almost everything and money is God. A small band of mystics named for movie stars gather at the mystical hot spot The Instant Coffee Cup (run by the wryly named John Luther Zwingli) and hold out hope. But, as Cleaver puns, Erasmus is interested in "profit," not a "prophet." What follows is a down-the-rabbit-hole mishmash of images; the Velveteen Rabbit, Homer Simpson, Mae West, and a Knight Templar all contribute their own bits of wisdom for Andrew. There are plenty of nods to Christian history, both overt and subtle, including a scene with several saints who urge Benoit to find "the truth within" and give it a voice. But is it the town that really needs saving? Or is it something-or someone-else? This bizarre, whimsical novel will charm and delight some readers and perplex others.
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From Booklist

Seminarian Andrew Benoit is shamed into taking an unattractive ministerial posting in the little town of Erasmus. En route, he meets the Angel of Death, a nondescript fellow whose warning nonetheless rings clear: Andrew has a week to save the town, which has "lost its faith." Andrew will give it a try, but he's up against the formidable Primrose Davenport, who owns everything in Erasmus--including the church. And there's a passel of crazies in addition, all of whom illustrate the "fine line between faith and insanity." Rather than saving the world, Andrew learns to work on one soul at a time. Could be that's how you cheat Death.

John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 182 pages
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA); 1 edition (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557254982
• ISBN-13: 978-1557254986
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,160,745 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deep, Gripping, and Funny, March 19, 2007

By	danshen - See all my reviews

In a story that can be read fairly easily in the course of a day or two, the author manages to accomplish several things. First, he tells a story that starts out humorous and philisophical, becomes deeply personal, and evolves to a gripping and dramatic finale, all while holding together as an aesthetic whole. Second, he creates a cast of characters who quickly work their way into one's heart, and makes one deeply care about their lives. Third, he lays out a philosophical and spiritual crisis that has effects that are both personal and social.
For myself, I found it took a few pages to appreciate the protagonist's voice, which seems less circumspect and more neurotic than the author's voice. But, I soon begn to understand the protagonist's qualities, and the importance of separating him from the author. And, although one character remained somewhat unconvincing to me throughout the story, by the end , I found myself quite involved in the outcome and the characters' well-being and future happiness. Furthermore, the issues involved provide abundant material for further thought. And lastly, a warm and observant sense of humor pervades the work, which draws one further into it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny book about spirituality? YES!, April 1, 2007

By	ReaderCatz (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

You know when a book starts out with the Angel of Death emerging from a washing machine it is going to blur the lines of reality. And you hope it will have a sense of humor while doing it or there is no way it will work. Steve Cleavers "Saving Erasmus" is a success on several fronts. It tells a charming tale of a man and a town that need each other for their salvation in ways they cannot begin to anticipate. It is also laugh out loud funny.
Andrew Benoit is personally troubled but earnest in his commitment to save the town of Erasmus. The townspeople are appropriately quirky and the story operates at all times on several levels. It is a simple story that has tremendous symbolism and uses a variety of historical and cultural touchstones to add depth and nuance to the events in Erasmus. The only disappointment in Saving Erasmus was when I realised I had reached the end.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good things come in small packages, March 27, 2007

By	Algromme "the witty" (Portland , OR) - See all my reviews

"Saving Erasmus" is a great novel that comes in a small package. It is very accessible and is an easy read despite layers of meanings and symbolism that are carefully woven into its pages. The cover-art illustration is drawn in a style which bears a vague resemblance to art-deco, only without art-deco angularity and gaudiness. It has a weight that feels just right in the hands, and being only 182 pages thick, the book doesn't take up a lot of space in either a small backpack or a large purse, perfect for readers on the go. Its size also makes it an unobtrusive bedfellow. Its eye-pleasing pastel colors match the tone of the warm and witty narrative, told from a first-person perspective by an affable protagonist who is a bit of a neurotic, reminiscent of Woody Allen, the character. But don't let mere appearances fool you -"Saving Erasmus" is far more profound than its deceptively playful cover or its quirky, witty narrative would have you assume at first glance. Steven Cleaver infuses each chapter with layers of meaning and significance, yet he does so without hampering casual readers from enjoying the story or its cast of colorful characters. The book allows its readers to discover its greatness at their own pace and on their own terms.