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katieellenf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look at the world of Jesus, a well thought-out recreation of a life and time
I'm not a believer in any religion, but do find the origins of them worthy of thought, and love interpretations and stories created from the materials we have.
From four perspectives, this book recreates the world of the first century, where the stories of Jesus were first developed. His mother, Judas, Barbaras and Caiaphas (a high priest) between them tell the story of a preacher who taught and was crucified at the time, but also give a full picture of the brutal life lived by the people at the time, and how Yehoshuah would have fit in, been seen by various people and possibly how the myths grew.
This was an easy audiobook to listen to, well narrated by various voices creating the characters, and the book itself felt fairly considered.
I found the world of Jesus actually more interesting than the account of him: as Alderman paints him, he is a small part of a growing rebellion, his pronouncements cause worship and adoration, as you might expect, but the perspectives of the rebel freed in his place and the high priest who watches him sentenced I found much more fulfilling.
The women of the book show range, some stand out as strong and novel for the time, the men (mostly Jews) are fighting the ruling Roman forces or part of the system, we get a good look at both sides. And it's not white-washed - prostitutes are sought, disease is rife, people are killed in skirmishes.
For someone looking for a human look at the life and times of one man, it's a great read. I don't believe in the myths and legends, so it made a refreshing book to try - a look at how the stories could have developed and why. And what might have happened.
I liked the idea of four perspectives, just one or two wouldn't have offered the glimpses in everyday life and the troubles of the times. Well-created and rounded characters, it reminded me of Pullman's 'The Good Man Jesus' but gave more than that with its multiple narrators.
I'm not a believer in any religion, but do find the origins of them worthy of thought, and love interpretations and stories created from the materials we have.
From four perspectives, this book recreates the world of the first century, where the stories of Jesus were first developed. His mother, Judas, Barbaras and Caiaphas (a high priest) between them tell the story of a preacher who taught and was crucified at the time, but also give a full picture of the brutal life lived by the people at the time, and how Yehoshuah would have fit in, been seen by various people and possibly how the myths grew.
This was an easy audiobook to listen to, well narrated by various voices creating the characters, and the book itself felt fairly considered.
I found the world of Jesus actually more interesting than the account of him: as Alderman paints him, he is a small part of a growing rebellion, his pronouncements cause worship and adoration, as you might expect, but the perspectives of the rebel freed in his place and the high priest who watches him sentenced I found much more fulfilling.
The women of the book show range, some stand out as strong and novel for the time, the men (mostly Jews) are fighting the ruling Roman forces or part of the system, we get a good look at both sides. And it's not white-washed - prostitutes are sought, disease is rife, people are killed in skirmishes.
For someone looking for a human look at the life and times of one man, it's a great read. I don't believe in the myths and legends, so it made a refreshing book to try - a look at how the stories could have developed and why. And what might have happened.
I liked the idea of four perspectives, just one or two wouldn't have offered the glimpses in everyday life and the troubles of the times. Well-created and rounded characters, it reminded me of Pullman's 'The Good Man Jesus' but gave more than that with its multiple narrators.
tigs01's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
queerloras's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fucking love this book. Naomi Alderman for queen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Colonisation, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Grief, and War
_aurora_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
miasweeney00's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kingarooski's review against another edition
5.0
The gospel of Jesus from four, at times conflicting, points of view. Loved it and found it very thought-provoking. What, if anything, is objectively true in the gospels that play such a huge role in Christianity?
daisyemmahughes's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75