Jose Saramago is probably one of the greatest writers of our times, and the The Gospel According to Jesus Christ is one of the finest books that I have ever read.

It is the story of Jesus - who is not the son of God, but the son of Joeseph and who loves a Mary. All he wants is to be a good carpenter, a good husband and a good man. But God has other plans for him.

There is a brilliant scene in the book where Jesus has this amazing conversation with both the God and the Devil. God offers him a screwd life but immortality in terms of being remembered, while the Devil offers him a normal life, a happy life. Both God and Satan play for Jesus’s loyalty. and the relationship between God and Satan is this friendly banter of old men who know each other well, are fond of each other but want to appear contrary. Their bickering masks a deep understanding and friendship. The relationship between Jesus and Satan - as the Pastor - is extremely well written. Satan comes out as an incredibly attractive character - the only friend that Jesus has. God comes across as an incredible manipulator - more in the mould of the ancient Aryan Gods / Greek Gods - Indra - than the benevalont, cuddly lovable God that I believe in.

More than anything else, the style of the narrative is superlative. The book has no dialogues, yet it has conversations. Saramago has written it in almost a fly in the wall, an “echo of the psyche” style. And you feel like a vouyer reading this book.

If you are devoutly Christian, then read this book - you will empathise and become more fond of Jesus and the sacrifices that he made. If you are fanatically Christian avoid it - there are other things that are more readable.

Tags: Reviews