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johnmcpheat's review
4.0
I read this (from the library) 25+ years ago and enjoyed it enough that when, 10 or so years later, I found it in a second hand bookshop I bought it. I've been reading through Acts and thought this might be a good time for a re-read. It did take me a long time to get into it, but by the end I quite enjoyed it (not sure that 'enjoy' is quite the right word for such a grim tale!)
warrenl's review
5.0
In the reign of Domitian, Sadoc, a pessimistic and slightly unreliable narrator succumbing slowly to the ravages of disease, chronicles the history of the very first Christians, beginning with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus (which here takes place in 37, shortly before the death of Tiberius) and ending with the destruction of Pompeii in 79.
The enormous scope of this novel is almost Burgess's undoing. We follow the Apostles in their work against a background of the machinations of the Roman Empire, and we are taken into the boudoirs and minds of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian as they indulge their excesses, and deal with the Nazarene existential threat. If I were to find fault, it would be the occasional jump in the narrative, and odd patches of descriptive thinness that contrast with Burgess's usual rich detail. Together with what seemed to me a rushed ending, this suggests that Burgess might have been constrained by page space and/or time. That the novel was written as preparation for a screenplay (for the television series A.D., also released in 1985) lends weight to this speculation.
A longer novel would have done the story greater justice, and Burgess's extraordinary writing certainly had the power to grip the reader through many more pages than 379. In fact, to descend from his lofty, sparkling prose to a less extraordinary writer is akin to going cold turkey - withdrawal is experienced.
I will not attempt an analysis of the novel. Others do a far better job than me. I can judge neither the themes and conclusions that Burgess explores, nor his choice of fact to blend with his fiction. I judge The Kingdom of the Wicked a success by other criteria. A book such as this is to be savoured and absorbed.
The enormous scope of this novel is almost Burgess's undoing. We follow the Apostles in their work against a background of the machinations of the Roman Empire, and we are taken into the boudoirs and minds of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian as they indulge their excesses, and deal with the Nazarene existential threat. If I were to find fault, it would be the occasional jump in the narrative, and odd patches of descriptive thinness that contrast with Burgess's usual rich detail. Together with what seemed to me a rushed ending, this suggests that Burgess might have been constrained by page space and/or time. That the novel was written as preparation for a screenplay (for the television series A.D., also released in 1985) lends weight to this speculation.
A longer novel would have done the story greater justice, and Burgess's extraordinary writing certainly had the power to grip the reader through many more pages than 379. In fact, to descend from his lofty, sparkling prose to a less extraordinary writer is akin to going cold turkey - withdrawal is experienced.
I will not attempt an analysis of the novel. Others do a far better job than me. I can judge neither the themes and conclusions that Burgess explores, nor his choice of fact to blend with his fiction. I judge The Kingdom of the Wicked a success by other criteria. A book such as this is to be savoured and absorbed.
linwearcamenel's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
hattiefrankie's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Anthony Burgess shows an intense understanding of the history surrounding the early years of Christianity, and his retelling brings dimension and detail to the characters and places within it. Burgess does not shy away from the gore or violence, in fact he weaves the very worst of humanity into the political and religious successes and catastrophes told within this book. A spectacular albeit challenging read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Xenophobia
Moderate: Pedophilia, Antisemitism, Incest, Rape, War, and Suicide
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Cannibalism, and Slavery
pattmayne's review
5.0
A beautifully immersive and lively piece of historical narrative. This tells the tale of the first followers of Jesus after his "resurrection" and ascent up to "Heaven" (events which are non-magical in this telling... like tricks and manipulations by the charismatic Jesus).
Anthony Burgess is a really fun writer, and really thoughtful. Here he writes a long tale of passion, conflict, strategies, religions, ignorance, fear, hope, brutality... it's nice to see real, relatable human emotions put on these historical figures (such as the Emperors and the disciples of Jesus). They live like real people, rather than characters in a biblical tale.
Bloodthirsty Jewish zealots stone Christians to death. Cruel Romans torture and butcher Christians, Jews, Britons, and each other. Everybody has constant arguments about their different religions and ways of life, in an environment where these arguments are practical and vital.
While the heart-felt and ambitious first Christians are very busy spreading the word of love (and encountering all kinds of hostility and violence), Roman emperors are continuously assassinated in between their own acts of far-flung violence. A few key characters remain in the periphery as witnesses to all the madness.
The book is written in a way that's clearly sympathetic to the Christians (who really suffer the most in this tragic farce), but we don't witness any miracles. As a reader you might find yourself speculating whether the author is himself a Christian, but you'll have no doubt that he loves writing about ideas, arguments, and dismemberment.
The best things here are the indomitable wills of the characters, and the realistic portrayal of their obscene vulnerability. The tragedies within are barely more than grand images of bad luck, ignorance, and cruelty. The close-calls and triumphs are equally due to luck or acts of kindness, and are usually followed by more tragedy.
The characters are really diverse and interesting. Each horrible emperor is cruel and unwise in a unique way, especially Nero, who is obsessed with art and who is manipulated into causing great death and destruction in the name of art. Each characters' ambitions run up against the violent machine of the fractured Roman Empire, and people have to do a lot of traveling, changing plans, compromising (or refusing to compromise), and dying.
I found myself inspired by these early leaders of Christianity (although I'm sure the real people were different than this inventive re-telling). I'm not religious, but their bravery in the face of death and their devotion to the idea of loving everybody are traits that give them a weird kind of power, transforming them into living works of art.
Anthony Burgess is a really fun writer, and really thoughtful. Here he writes a long tale of passion, conflict, strategies, religions, ignorance, fear, hope, brutality... it's nice to see real, relatable human emotions put on these historical figures (such as the Emperors and the disciples of Jesus). They live like real people, rather than characters in a biblical tale.
Bloodthirsty Jewish zealots stone Christians to death. Cruel Romans torture and butcher Christians, Jews, Britons, and each other. Everybody has constant arguments about their different religions and ways of life, in an environment where these arguments are practical and vital.
While the heart-felt and ambitious first Christians are very busy spreading the word of love (and encountering all kinds of hostility and violence), Roman emperors are continuously assassinated in between their own acts of far-flung violence. A few key characters remain in the periphery as witnesses to all the madness.
The book is written in a way that's clearly sympathetic to the Christians (who really suffer the most in this tragic farce), but we don't witness any miracles. As a reader you might find yourself speculating whether the author is himself a Christian, but you'll have no doubt that he loves writing about ideas, arguments, and dismemberment.
The best things here are the indomitable wills of the characters, and the realistic portrayal of their obscene vulnerability. The tragedies within are barely more than grand images of bad luck, ignorance, and cruelty. The close-calls and triumphs are equally due to luck or acts of kindness, and are usually followed by more tragedy.
The characters are really diverse and interesting. Each horrible emperor is cruel and unwise in a unique way, especially Nero, who is obsessed with art and who is manipulated into causing great death and destruction in the name of art. Each characters' ambitions run up against the violent machine of the fractured Roman Empire, and people have to do a lot of traveling, changing plans, compromising (or refusing to compromise), and dying.
I found myself inspired by these early leaders of Christianity (although I'm sure the real people were different than this inventive re-telling). I'm not religious, but their bravery in the face of death and their devotion to the idea of loving everybody are traits that give them a weird kind of power, transforming them into living works of art.
ccookie49's review
4.0
An interesting mix of biblical and historical times, weaving the Roman Empire with the birth of Christianity. Burgess presents some unpopular theories, urging the reader to determine their prior knowledge with potentially plausible alternatives. I enjoyed, from an historical point of view and moral point of view. It begs the question, how far are you willing to go for what you believe in.
wynkyn's review
5.0
Learned, lurid, typically brilliant romp through the first years of Christianity and decline of Rome
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