Easter

Easter Review

Although this comment would at first glance appear to be contradictory, this book is both profoundly spiritual and profoundly humanistic. Spiritual in that it deals quite successfully with spiritual issues; belief, disbelief, faith, and skepticism. Humanistic in that it deals with the human situation with a compassionate view of humankind and the struggles to find meaning and peace in today's world.

The book starts out in the first third as a fairly simple and straight forward narrative about an Anglican parrish church, told through the eyes of its many church officials, parrisioners, and visitors. The second third shifts gears completely into the spiritual and emotional struggles of one specific character during the same period of time, showing the true issues within the parrish, only hinted at in the first third. The final third takes up the narrative of the various characters of the first third, retelling the same events through different eyes, and continuing on to a conclusion. A type of catharsis is achieved, at least for some of the characters.

The numerous characters are wonderfully drawn. The prose is at times pure poetry. The story moved me immensely; to tears at times. The story is at times quite humourous and at other times tragic. One passage in the book contains one of the most moving descriptions of a person's death, which is actually one of the most hopeful and spiritual parts of the book.

A slower than normal reading of this book will reward you. Re-reading certain portions as you go along and reviewing the list of the many characters at the front of the book, all add to a better understanding of the story and themes within the book. This book has been added to my list of the best books I have ever read.

I highly recommend this book. As mentioned earlier, the prose itself is beautifully poetic at times. If one is homophobic or disturbed by issues dealing with homosexuality however, they might be troubled by the book.

Easter Overview

Both a devastating portrait of today's Church of England and an audacious reworking of the central myth of Western culture, this novel opens as the parish of St. Mary-in-the-Vale is preparing for Easter. In his Palm Sunday sermon, the vicar explains that Christ's crucifixion and redemption are taking place every day, but he little suspects that, before the week is out, he and his entire congregation will be caught up in a latter-day Passion story that will tear apart their lives. As the week before Easter progresses, a number of shocking events unfold against a backdrop of meticulously observed religious services, giving the novel a chance to scrutinize High Church ritual, evangelical revivalism, and the ancestor worship of the English gentry. With an unforgettable gallery of characters ranging from a Holocaust survivor and an African princess to AIDS patients and Queen Elizabeth II, the story provides a dazzling panorama of contemporary society and throws down a challenge—to believers and nonbelievers alike—to consider anew the problems of suffering and evil.

Read More..

Visit : Easter Product Store