Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel
by Anne Rice
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Book Reviews of Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel
Book Review: A Respectful and Well-Researched Invention of Christ the Child
Summary: 5 Stars
My initial apprehension in approaching this novel as a Christian was the fear that it would be an overtly blasphemous work that turned the Christ Child into an amateur magician running amok in 1st century Palestine. I was pleased that my anxieties were not well-founded.
As a Biblical Studies major, I paid particular attention to the historical background of the book, noting its authenticity. I was amazed at the depth of research Anne Rice must have done to complete this novel. It begins with Jesus living in Alexandria, one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire at the time, aptly called the "breadbasket of Rome." After the death of Herod the Great, the family of Christ no longer has the need to avoid Herod's kingdom (who attempted to kill Jesus when He was born) and they journey home to Nazareth. Along the way, Jesus struggles with the issue of His true identity and comes to terms with His divine nature. A thick display of Judaistic worship penetrates the story, constantly reminding the reader of a fact Christians are so fond of forgetting: Jesus was a Jew.
Rice writes with a slightly Catholic tint, albeit to no dismay. She derives information from little-known sources (the Infancy Gospel of Thomas) and introduces obscure New Testament theories (John the Baptist was raised by the Essenes at Qumran Khirbet) that the Bible scholar will (should) certainly recognize with glee. The novel is told in the first person of Christ and gives an amiable display of Our Lord without crossing lines, but never neglecting to break barriers. Several passages were downright chilling to me, a testament (no pun intended) to the strength of Rice's prose.
Knowledge of the Bible and its background certainly increased my enjoyment of this work, but was certainly not necessary to understand the story. This book is highly recommended to the Christian or non-Christian.
Book Review: Well researched and lively account of the first century near east
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent portrait that should not offend pious Catholics. This is a work of fiction that accurately portrays the world Our Lord lived in and follows a very likely path of his location during His early years. The work is clearly and explicitly fiction, however, there is nothing within to offend piety except for a single mild lapse in which The Blessed Virgin Mary is described as "angry."
This is a excellent, exciting, and moving story all told with fine attention to detail and a compelling narrative style that apparently is a trademark of Anne Rice's work (this is the only novel of hers I have read).
The characters are finely drawn and very human. There is no silly, saccharine, or precious piety here (which is a relief!).
The story line follows the Holy Family leaving Egypt and returning to Jerusalem and eventually Nazareth, set against the backdrop of the horrible oppression of the Jews by the Romans, and the sporadic uprisings which marked the period in which Our Lord walked the earth.
Schsmatics, heretics and Protestants may have some problems with the text, for it is relys on sources outside of the Luther-approved scriptural canon (funny how Our Lord quoted from the so-called Apocrypha but Luther knows so much better and excludes it). But the story does have a firm foundation in sound, but not Divinely inspired, early Church hagiographies and particularly the iconography which was established before Scripture was written or even collected.
For those who are not Christians, this is still an exciting historical novel with excellent detail that will be appreciated for its skill in creating the first century near east. One of the better novels I've read this year.
Book Review: Not Perfect but a Very Good Story Anyway
Summary: 5 Stars
In "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt", author Anne Rice tells the story of the seven year old boy Jesus returning to Nazerath with his family and his early experiences there. Along the way there are many experiences ranging from the death of a family member to a violent rebellion following Herod's death. There are also meeting with figures of later importance such as John the Baptist and Caiphas. Rice's story is more in line with Roman Catholic doctrine (she is herself) in that Mary remains a virgin though frankly I feel Protestants can easily enjoy this novel without letting some differences of opinion get in the way. Likewise, the gospels tell little of Christ's childhood so Rice must use legend and storytelling to fill in gaps. I feel she does this generally effectively. It is the characterization that really drew me in though. In some ways, Christ is a truely challenging character to portray but I feel Anne is superb at focusing on the struggle of a boy to comprehend Himself and make sense of his past (which he doesn't completely know until late in the novel). Anne's author's page about her own journey to faith is quite interesting in itself. I should point out that Anne's chonology appears a little suspicious. From what I have read, Christ was likely born in the spring or autumn of 5 B.C. and Herod died the next year (though a minority view holds herods death as a few years later). Thus Christ would likely have not been as old during General Varus's smashing of the Jewish revolt as the novel depicts. I could have missed something however, and this didn't keep me from enjoying Anne's writing. Overall, a good book that I recommend.Book Review: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel- A little boy grows up!
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't jump the gun.
In Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, Anne Rice creates a very real little boy who happens to be Jesus of Nazareth. Ms. Rice writes like a mommy as she explores a little boy she loves and knows was born to die for the sins of mankind.
What a different twist she brings to the ordinary! The setting of a child and family leaving Egypt to return to their people of Nazareth provides background that is interesting and fresh. Whether we are seeing Jesus deal with His feelings and knowledge of who He is and who He is going to be or looking through the eyes of Mary, his mother, Ms. Rice has taken a very "family" perspective on the whole process.
The Jewish perspective is eloquent without being trite as we see families gathering and passing down the stories of the Torah in the traditional manner. The historical perspective is intact as the people struggle with oppression brought on by the Roman invasion of the country amidst the traditional life cycles of the Jewish calendar.
As the little boy tells his story and then grows into puberty and reaches Bar Mitzvah age, you see a child learning how to reason and ask intelligent "God questions," knowing all along, what the answers are.
The book leaves you wanting more, as it should.
The real treat is the conversion story of Anne at the end of the book. You can't jump the gun to get to this seventeen page Author's Note. It won't mean nearly as much if you haven't read this reverent and captivating take on the child Jesus.
CHRIST THE LORD: OUT OF EGYPT
By Anne Rice
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Book Review: A gem for any Christian library
Summary: 5 Stars
In Christianity as popularly practiced, there is an excess of attention paid to the helpless infant and the man dying in agony on the Cross. Anne Rice, after consulting with numerous religious and archaeological experts for historical accuracy, has crafted the story of Christ as a living person. The first volume, Out Of Egypt, shows Him from about the age of 7 until His early, pre-teen-ish years. This book picks up where He has become fully aware of what He faces. What makes this book so precious? Simply put, you are shown the fullness of His family life, the foods and habits common to the people of the time, the manner in which they cared for their elderly and the general practices of faithful Jews. You see the loving strain between Mary & Joseph, hampered by having a son who was literally illuminated by an angel. You see the social stresses resulting from wars and the nature of how information flows, sometimes hindered by gossip. For example, there is a growing concern about this intense man named John, baptizing people in the river, with some very human "What should we make of that?" from the crowds. When He is tested in the desert by Satan, she knocks it out of the park, highlighting the Morningstar's classic, self-destructive vanity. You can feel the solidity and power of things, step after step. She has changed nothing of Jesus' story, but has instead polished it to a high sheen by putting it all in perspective with the reality of life at that time. This is the real Jesus, no special effects or huge choirs in the background, just His trials and character, shown in a clear and faithful light. A unique, 5-star work.