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dougsasser's review
2.0
I read this in preparation for discussing it with the women’s group of my church. This collection does not have a preface. It would have been nice to see why the editor thought these all qualified as Easter stories. Many of the stories deal with the life of Jesus from the perspective of minor characters in the gospels. However most of those deal with the crucifixion more than the resurrection. A few stories deal with the resurrection as a metaphor of new life coming in the aftermath of destruction. Some of those take place around the celebration of the Easter holiday. Other stories deal with Christian people and don’t relate to the resurrection at all. A few stories have little direct relation to Christian images but contain morals in keeping with Christian ethics.
A brief summary of the stories follows.
“The White Lily” is about the effect of a beautiful flower on a man who takes little pride in how he lives or dresses.
“The Coming of the King” is a parable involving children anticipating a royal promenade.
“How Donkeys Got the Spirit of Contradiction” imagines the gospel narrative as it related to a donkey feature in the stories of Jesus’ life.
“The Church of the Washing Feet” is set in South Africa during the days following apartheid.
“Stories from the Cotton Patch Gospel” imagines the Jesus as living in Georgia during the days of segregation.
“Saint Veronica’s Kerchief” follows a servant of the emperor attempting to reach Jesus to heal her master before the crucifixion occurs.
“The Way of the Cross” is a selection from Ben Hur.
“Robin Redbreast” is a fable origin story related to the crucifixion.
“Atonement” defines the term using a parable about a king whose property is stolen.
“The Flaming Heart of Danko” is about a king (Christ figure) who uses miraculous means to led his men.
“John” begins before sunrise on the morning of the first Easter. It is told from the perspective of the beloved disciple and reflects Catholic theology.
“The Legend of Christophorus” is about a giant searching for the strongest master to serve.
“Robert of Sicily” is about a proud king miraculously brought low.
“Two Old Men”, one wealthy and the other a laborer, went on a pilgrimage together and were separated.
“The Golden Egg” involves a London man in debtor’s prison and his family at Easter time.
“The Case of Rachoff” is a traveling monk who preaches the message of Jesus’ humility. Along the way his teaching is challenged and influenced by those he encounters.
“The Deserted Mine” is about an old miner and his faith.
“The Student” has to do with the connection between scriptural stories from the past and life in the present.
“A Dust Rag for Easter Eggs” deals with children in Paris after WW II.
“The Barge-Master’s Easter” deals with a barge captain forced to deliver church bells to the enemy.
“The Ragman” has miraculous healing powers.
“Easter Under a Park Bench” involves a boy’s encounter with a homeless man.
“The Death of the Lizard” is a passage from “The Great Divorce.”
“Mary’s Child” is a Grimm’s Fairy Tale.
“The King and Death” is about a king fighting death.
“The Selfish Giant” is from Oscar Wilde.
“The Everlasting Mercy” is a poem.
A brief summary of the stories follows.
“The White Lily” is about the effect of a beautiful flower on a man who takes little pride in how he lives or dresses.
“The Coming of the King” is a parable involving children anticipating a royal promenade.
“How Donkeys Got the Spirit of Contradiction” imagines the gospel narrative as it related to a donkey feature in the stories of Jesus’ life.
“The Church of the Washing Feet” is set in South Africa during the days following apartheid.
“Stories from the Cotton Patch Gospel” imagines the Jesus as living in Georgia during the days of segregation.
“Saint Veronica’s Kerchief” follows a servant of the emperor attempting to reach Jesus to heal her master before the crucifixion occurs.
“The Way of the Cross” is a selection from Ben Hur.
“Robin Redbreast” is a fable origin story related to the crucifixion.
“Atonement” defines the term using a parable about a king whose property is stolen.
“The Flaming Heart of Danko” is about a king (Christ figure) who uses miraculous means to led his men.
“John” begins before sunrise on the morning of the first Easter. It is told from the perspective of the beloved disciple and reflects Catholic theology.
“The Legend of Christophorus” is about a giant searching for the strongest master to serve.
“Robert of Sicily” is about a proud king miraculously brought low.
“Two Old Men”, one wealthy and the other a laborer, went on a pilgrimage together and were separated.
“The Golden Egg” involves a London man in debtor’s prison and his family at Easter time.
“The Case of Rachoff” is a traveling monk who preaches the message of Jesus’ humility. Along the way his teaching is challenged and influenced by those he encounters.
“The Deserted Mine” is about an old miner and his faith.
“The Student” has to do with the connection between scriptural stories from the past and life in the present.
“A Dust Rag for Easter Eggs” deals with children in Paris after WW II.
“The Barge-Master’s Easter” deals with a barge captain forced to deliver church bells to the enemy.
“The Ragman” has miraculous healing powers.
“Easter Under a Park Bench” involves a boy’s encounter with a homeless man.
“The Death of the Lizard” is a passage from “The Great Divorce.”
“Mary’s Child” is a Grimm’s Fairy Tale.
“The King and Death” is about a king fighting death.
“The Selfish Giant” is from Oscar Wilde.
“The Everlasting Mercy” is a poem.
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