I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan

SUMMARY (from Goodreads): The Prince of Darkness has been given one last shot at redemption, provided he can live out a reasonably blameless life on earth. Highly sceptical, naturally, the Old Dealmaker negotiates a trial period - a summer holiday in a human body, with all the delights of the flesh.

The body, however, turns out to be that of Declan Gunn, a depressed writer living in Clerkenwell, interrupted in his bath mid-suicide. Ever the opportunist, and with his main scheme bubbling in the background, Luce takes the chance to tap out a few thoughts - to straighten the biblical record, to celebrate his favourite achievements, to let us know just what it's like being him.

Neither living nor explaining turns out to be as easy as it looks. Beset by distractions, miscalculations and all the natural shocks that flesh is heir to, the Father of Lies slowly begins to learn what it's like being us.

MY OPINION:

Glen Duncan definitely deserves credit for having the courage to approach such a controversial topic as telling the Lucifer's side of story. However, the story he tells is a story no man can actually tell, therefore, it comes out nothing if predictable. Nevertheless, Duncan's attempt at it is a good one.

It is clear that Duncan did his research for I, Lucifer, which heavily relies on The Bible. Hence, Duncan's version of Lucifer's tale can be logically deduced from the Christian tradition. From the Fall to the seduction of Eve and the Crucifixion, Lucifer's version of events makes perfect sense in relation to what had already been written about numerous times. An interesting part to me was the similarity of Duncan's re-telling of the Lucifer's Fall to Tolkien's version of creation in The Silmarillion.

The writing style is accommodated to suit the presumed Lucifer's personality: nonchalant, sarcastic, and haughty. However, the initially intriguing trying-to-be-smart wording and snarky remarks eventually get old and tiresome. Also,  constant digressions get in the way of smooth reading a lot.

All in all, I, Lucifer is nothing new or surprising content-wise. Actually, there is not much of the story, as the emphasis is on the telling itself. This, combined with oh-I'm-so-smart-and-snarky style, makes the book boring in places.

RECOMMENDATION: I do not really know whom to recommend this book to. I presume the various Christian churches would call it blasphemous, although its content is basically in concordance with the Bible. You might be interested in I, Lucifer if you want to read something which would make you think about the nature of humankind, religion, and the concepts of good and evil.

 

The Expected One (Magdalene Line Trilogy #1) by Kathleen McGowan

SUMMARY (from Goodreads): When journalist Maureen Paschal begins the research for a new book, she has no idea that she is stepping into an ancient mystery so secret, so revolutionary, that thousands of people have killed and died for it.

Two thousand years ago, Mary Magdalene hid a set of scrolls in the French Pyrenees: the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, her version of the life of Jesus and the events of the New Testament. Protected by supernatural forces, these sacred scrolls could be uncovered only by a special seeker, one who fulfils the ancient prophecy of L'Attendu – the Expected One.

As Maureen becomes immersed in the mystical lore of L'Attendu, the eerie prophecy of the Expected One casts a shadow over her life and work, and a long-buried family secret comes to light. Maureen’s extraordinary journey takes her from the dusty streets of Jerusalem to the cathedrals of Paris to the rocky foothills of southwest France. To search for the scrolls, she must unravel clues that link history’s great artistic masters, dynasties, and scientific minds. Ultimately, she comes face-to-face with Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, and a love triangle that changed the course of history in a deeply moving and powerful new gospel... the greatest story never told.

MY OPINION:

This book deals with a very sensitive religious topic. It takes us halfway across the globe, from L.A. to Jerusalem and France, from two thousand years ago to modern time. Uncovering long lost secrets, Maureen finds herself in constant danger, not knowing who to trust, but finding friends in unlikely people.

The focus of the story is the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. For me as a Christian, this part was a very emotional read. Naturally, I took this thought-provoking material with a grain of salt. However, as I see it, no matter how controversial this work seems to be, it conveys universal guidelines for everyone: forgiveness, solidarity, and love. The author asks a good question: would this version of Jesus’ life make him any less divine? Everyone can answer that only for themselves. 

The author deals with many historical events, personages, and pieces of art. Even though her take sometimes differs from the commonly accepted  viewpoint, I think it is valuable for catching people’s interest and perhaps making the reader study, research, and think about the issues she addresses. 

RECOMMENDATION: This book might not be for someone who is easily offended by controversial religious views. Nevertheless, The Expected One is a delightful read despite of or exactly because of being a challenging book.    

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman

SUMMARY: (from Goodreads): Part novel, part history, part fairytale, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ offers a radical new take on the myths and the mysteries of the Gospels, and the genesis of church that has so shaped the course of the last two millennia. With all the magic for which Pullman's storytelling is famed, this provocative and thoughtful new book from one of Britain's best loved writers promises to be the highest profile yet in Canongate's acclaimed Myths Series.

MY OPINION:

This book is an example of a unique approach to presenting the author’s view on Christianity and the Catholic Church. Philip Pullman, a self-proclaimed atheist, presents his view on the ideas of Christianity - the good side, illustrated in the character of Jesus, whereas the character of Christ represents the Catholic Church - clearly presenting the bad side.

As a Christian, I find it difficult to say anything specific about this book without explaining my religious beliefs. However, a book review is not a place for such a thing. Therefore, I will just say that The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ deserves recognition for its originality and the author's knowledge on the subject. Hence, I rate it **A LITTLE STRANGE due to its language and creativity. The content is on my opinion impossible to rate, since the book deals with a complex issue resolvable only by everyone on their own, or not even that.

This book is a highly provocative and thought-provoking read. It asks a lot of questions and tests the readers’ beliefs. It is the kind of book that demands an open mind and must be taken with (more than) a grain of salt. 

RECOMMENDATION: This is a not a book for people who are easily offended or not ready to put their beliefs to a test.

Dark Mysteries of the Vatican by H. Paul Jeffers

SUMMARY: The Catholic Church is the oldest and the most influential institution in the world. Its secretiveness has always been accompanied by lies, scandals and conspiracies. Dark mysteries of the Vatican include everything from the plot against the Templar Knights to sympathising with the Nazis, from exorcism to the Church’s view upon aliens and the end of the world.

MY OPINION:

At the beginning I have to say that this book was not what I had expected it to be. I had supposed it would either be gravely discrediting the Vatican or ardently defending it. However, Jeffers does neither of these.

Dark Mysteries of the Vatican is predominantly a factual book. It provides a lot of evidence acquired through a thorough research. Jeffers is a very objective author. Whichever myth, secret or rumour he focuses on, he tries to resolve it by stating factual proofs from various documents, including the vast quantity of material from the Vatican archives.

The most interesting parts of the book to me were those about the book prohibition process and murders and the history of the Catholic Church, from which I actually learned something new. Generally there was only few data surprising or new to me, but it might be just because I have been always interested in the Church and I knew a lot about it prior to reading this book.

Also, I felt at times the book is even a little over packed with data and in other places lacking information. The latter is understandable due to a very limited access to some Vatican documents. What has always been most intriguing for me and is still left unsolved is the question why the Church is so reluctant to make public the documents which could clarify some confusing issues or in particular cases possibly clear its name, unless those documents would be unfavourable to the Church, or it might be somehow for our own benefit.

All in all, Jeffers’s objective, fact-based approach is praiseworthy, although it has one flaw as I see it, which is that it hardly provides any conclusive answers. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily a bad thing, since everyone can come to their own conclusions according to their beliefs and in this way the book avoids offensiveness, which is very important dealing with such a delicate subject matter.

RECOMMENDATION: If you are interested in all the mysteries about the Vatican and the Catholic Church and you are not too squeamish about scandalous insinuations, this is definitely the book to read, but do not expect to get any final answers. Instead, you will get a lot of factual evidence upon which you can form your own opinion.

Manual of the Warrior of Light by Paulo Coelho

SUMMARY (by FantasticFiction): Within each of us is a warrior of light. Each of us is capable of listening to the silence of the heart, of accepting failure without letting it get us down and of holding onto hope even in the face of weariness and depression. Values like love for all things, discipline, friendship and learning to listen to our own hearts are the arms with which this warrior confronts the battles we face in the name of personal growth and in the defence of the light. On every page there is an inspirational thought, which can be read as part of Paulo Coelho's whole philosophy or used form the basis of a daily meditation. This text is a guide to the process.

MY OPINION:

I find this book a little difficult to review, because it consists of so many short fragments. It is, as the title suggests, a kind of a guide for self-improvement and personal growth. Manual of the Warrior of Light cannot be read as a book from the beginning to the end, but perhaps as a meditational aid read by sections.

The book contains a short frame story about a boy trying to be able to hear the bells of a drowned temple, which I believe is a metaphor for being able to listen to our conscience and being in touch with the Universe or with God.

Embedded in the frame story are numerous motivational quotes, thoughts, and advice about leading a life of a good person. Many of these are contradictory to one another. I guess this is because people and the world itself are full of contradictions. I believe contradictions are essential to existence: light and darkness, safety and danger, good and evil, etc. could not be distinguished for what they are without the existence of their opposites.

Therefore, despite being paradoxical, many thoughts in Manual of the Warrior of Light are truly inspiring. Some, however, seem to me as clichés. Nevertheless, I like the philosophy behind the book, and I will definitely pick it up to read a segment or two from time to time.

RECOMMENDATION: This is the book you read by sections when you need an encouraging thought to give you motivation and strength for being a good person and fighting for your beliefs.