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A review by tlee1995
The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago
4.0
If you are looking for a mind-trip through the most difficult questions that confront Christian philosophy, you will find it within these pages. If you seek a twist on the West's most recognizable tale, Saramago provides a gripping -- and for Christians, controversial -- account. If only for its unexpected humor and humanity, some readers will prefer Saramago's tale of Jesus of Nazareth to the classic versions.
The characteristic of this book that most struck me is encapsulated by the adjective "cinematic." There are points in this novel where the scene is so vivid that the reader is reminded of a Cohen brothers film. One particular sequence near the end is as chilling and unique as a Stanley Kubrick collage.
From an expressed 20th century perspective, Saramago examines the nearly rote implications of the 33 years that proved to be the West's most consequential. He does this with masterful style and an enthralling understanding of the human condition, from which Jesus of Nazareth has long been considered exempt. To wrap my head around the philosophical side of this novel will take a reread, but I have been both entertained and educated by Saramago's work.
"...let us hope these prosaic details do not offend our readers, because the story of God is not all divine."
The characteristic of this book that most struck me is encapsulated by the adjective "cinematic." There are points in this novel where the scene is so vivid that the reader is reminded of a Cohen brothers film. One particular sequence near the end is as chilling and unique as a Stanley Kubrick collage.
From an expressed 20th century perspective, Saramago examines the nearly rote implications of the 33 years that proved to be the West's most consequential. He does this with masterful style and an enthralling understanding of the human condition, from which Jesus of Nazareth has long been considered exempt. To wrap my head around the philosophical side of this novel will take a reread, but I have been both entertained and educated by Saramago's work.
"...let us hope these prosaic details do not offend our readers, because the story of God is not all divine."