Book Review: Anne Rice: Christ the Lord Out of Egypt
I must admit that as a past reader of Anne Rice vampire novels, I was prepared for a different experience than what I encountered by reading this book. My son gave me my first Anne Rice novel at Christmas a few years ago, and he followed up with more of her paperbacks on subsequent birthdays, Mothers' Days, and Christmases.
Many of Anne Rice's previous novels are dark, yet strongly compelling, reading. You might find your mind wandering as you wade through paragraph after paragraph of descriptive details that, while setting the scene, sometimes distract you from the storyline. However, her stories always seize your interest. You might skim over the flowery descriptions, but you are always entranced by the characters in their search for something bigger than themselves.
In this book Anne talks about something bigger than all of us - and succeeds in eliciting strong emotions accompanied by occasional tears. This is a simply written account, narrated from the point of view of a young Jesus.
Unlike earlier novels, she restricts the descriptive language to a level which accurately depicts the time, customs, and surroundings - without distracting from the story's progression. The book has been carefully researched. Historical facts are intertwined with dialogue and narrative in a way that makes them come alive to the reader.
Young Jesus surprisingly commits a huge sin in the third paragraph of the first page. This startled me! My perspective of Jesus has always been one of God personified in the flesh - and God would never sin! That first page raised my hackles and I almost put the novel down in disgust.
However, it was a Christmas present from my son, and I felt compelled to read it for his sake. I certainly didn't think that Anne Rice was going to tell a story about the Jesus Christ I knew from reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Without a doubt, I am overjoyed that I read the book right to the end. It cleared up a mystery that has plagued me for years: Why did Jesus have to die to save me? This answer had been given to me many times in sermons and in the Bible itself. However, I never completely understood it until I read this book.
Whatever you do - don't skip to the end of the novel to discover the answer. Without absorbing the narrative, chapter by chapter, you will not comprehend the last two pages.
Anne has wavered from Roman Catholicism to atheism, and back to Roman Catholicism. She relates in the paperback edition why she made a promise to dedicate her life to God.
The introductory pages of the novel include a map showing the northern part of Egypt and the areas of the Holy Land that are mentioned in the story. The back of the book includes an 'Author's Note' and 'Note to the Paperback Edition'. Here, Anne describes a bit of her background, her research techniques, and her conversion back to Christianity.
No matter what your religious beliefs, you will find this novel an interesting read. I intend to buy several to give away to friends and relatives.
Christ the Lord Out of Egypt - by Anne Rice
Paperback Edition ISBN: 0-7704-3013-9
Hardcover Edition ISBN: 0-6769-7768-5
*Anne Rice has kindly provided the following thoughts on this review:
'I do personally believe that Jesus was sinless, and in my novel the intention is to present Him as absolutely sinless. In the opening scenes He does not kill anyone. He 'feels the power go out of Him'. Rather like the similar passage of the Gospel of Mark when the hemorrhaging woman is healed by touching His robe.
'Take care and have a good year,
'Anne Rice'
Related Tags: book, books, christ, christian, review, rice, christianity, novel, story, reviews, novels, lord, stories, anne
Author's Note:
Kathy writes German-English short stories and poetry in parallel translation at A-Language-Guide - and is one of the webmasters for 1st Rate Articles, started in November of 2006.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- How To Sell Anything On Craigslist Whether You Own A Business Or Not
Did you know that craigslist is one word? Did you also know that it's not capitalized? The reason is - Directors' Vicarious Liability For Dishonor Of Company Cheque
In its landmark judgment in National Small Industries Corp. Ltd v. Harmeet Singh Paintal [2010], the - Letter's To God Book Review
'P.S. I think I'll write again tomorrow'While getting ready for his fishing trip Tyler remembered he - Kyocera Mita Fs-1030d / Fs-1030dn - Ecosys Low Total Cost Printer
The most unique thing about the Kyocera Mita FS-1030D / FS-1030dn is its ECOSYS "Cartridge free" pri - Self-motivation Encourages Us To Plan Our Goals And Helps.
Self-motivation adds excitement and enthusiasm into our lives and helps us face boldly all forms of - Matt Hustons Get Him Back Forever - Afraid Of Getting Caught?
Matt Huston's Get Him Back Forever provides a powerful plan that promises to help you not only to ge - Magic Of Making Up By Tw Jackson: A Short Review
If you're looking at buying the Magic of Making Up by TW Jackson, you want to make sure you're getti - A Book Review Of Preparing To Be A Help Meet
The best thing that comes in every woman's life is marriage. In addition, it is when two people fina - 5 Steps To Self Publishing Success
The economy was not so bad when I started thinking about self publishing my first book, Planting Des - To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter Summary - Chapter 11
Jem's Birthday and Mrs. Dubose:The day that follows the previous chapter's event is Jem's 12th birth
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Digital Photography eBook Review: Camera Dollars Income System
The "Camera Dollars Income System eBook" written by Brian Moore claims to contain everything you nee - Animals Rule in Children's Literature: Frogs and Caterpillars and Bears - Oh My!
From very hungry caterpillars and penguins for every day of the year to the Kingdom of Frogavia, ani - Used Book Stores
Many college bookstores allow students to sell their books back to the stores. These used bookstores - Book Review - Through the Storm by Sha' Givens
Mahogany Malone was named for her mother's favorite dancer, and one may argue that this teenage name - A Review on: "An Empire of Wealth"
Part III of the book "An Empire of Wealth", the emerging colossus, is being reviewed in this analysi - Good Starting Places in the Fantasy Genre
I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to my reading. I will deride and verbally mutilate anything o - Book Review: Fiasco by Thomas E. Ricks
Among the most illuminating, and hence the most damning recent volume about the war in Iraq is Fiasc - Book Review: State of Denial by Bob Woodward
The most recent addition to our understanding of our difficulties in Iraq, State of Denial by Waterg - The Traveler - John Twelve Hawkes Review
There is a time and a place for nearly every style of literature out there. I find myself reading a - Crystals Made Simple: a Review of "The Crystal Handbook"
A few years ago, for research purposes for something I was writing, I was searching for a comprehens