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A review by raisingself
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
4.0
The Book of Strange New Things is a complex and beautiful novel that crosses multiple genres. Its main protagonist is Peter, a deeply spiritual man of faith who jumps across the universe to evangelize a newly found aliens living in relative harmony outside a small corporate colony on the planet Oasis. These aliens are hungry for the gospel and have demanded a preacher to teach them about The Book of Strange New Things and Jesus. Peter goes on this incredible journey across space and time, leaving his wife behind right before earth is facing multiple natural and man-made catastrophes.
As a person of faith who rarely reads fiction in the genre of religion, as it can, in my singular opinion, lack authenticity and feel forced, I was pleasantly surprised by Faber’s writing. The narrative of faith in written Fiction and other forms of art in general is sorely lacking, this is surprising as faith is a major part of many human narratives, but I think this is because it is incredibly difficult to write without the extremes of cynicism or fluff.
Faber created a character with a profoundly deep and awe inspiring relationship with God. A moral man who is neither sexist or racist or any of the other horrid –isms commonly associated with religion. He tries to love all of God’s created beings even as he is tested and arguably found wanting; even as his mind and grasp of reality seemingly begins to break apart as he is torn between his past and his present.
This book is not just about religion and though technically science-fiction, it beautiful touches on the human condition. It is about love, loss, loneliness, redemption, and so much more.
When I first started this book, I thought I would give it 5 stars, but it took me on such an emotional roller-coaster that, frankly, I wasn’t prepared for that I felt it warranted 3 stars. This book left me emotionally confused and gasping for air and just as it ends you are frustrated because there has to be more. The ending does not wrap everything in a little package for you. With that being said, I had to find some middle ground that honors both the complexity of the writing and my own emotional frustrations, 4 stars it is.
As a person of faith who rarely reads fiction in the genre of religion, as it can, in my singular opinion, lack authenticity and feel forced, I was pleasantly surprised by Faber’s writing. The narrative of faith in written Fiction and other forms of art in general is sorely lacking, this is surprising as faith is a major part of many human narratives, but I think this is because it is incredibly difficult to write without the extremes of cynicism or fluff.
Faber created a character with a profoundly deep and awe inspiring relationship with God. A moral man who is neither sexist or racist or any of the other horrid –isms commonly associated with religion. He tries to love all of God’s created beings even as he is tested and arguably found wanting; even as his mind and grasp of reality seemingly begins to break apart as he is torn between his past and his present.
This book is not just about religion and though technically science-fiction, it beautiful touches on the human condition. It is about love, loss, loneliness, redemption, and so much more.
When I first started this book, I thought I would give it 5 stars, but it took me on such an emotional roller-coaster that, frankly, I wasn’t prepared for that I felt it warranted 3 stars. This book left me emotionally confused and gasping for air and just as it ends you are frustrated because there has to be more. The ending does not wrap everything in a little package for you. With that being said, I had to find some middle ground that honors both the complexity of the writing and my own emotional frustrations, 4 stars it is.