BookOpinion

BOOKOPINION REVIEW: Who is Jesus? C.S. Lewis gives us three options: He was insane, he was a liar or he is who he claimed he was…the only begotten son of God. That’s a fairly succinct conclusion. And what about the “missing years” in the life of Jesus? What was he like as a child? Anne Rice expounds on the last theory and has written with a touching pen her latest novel, “Christ the Lord Out of Egypt,” recently released in paperback.

Around 2,000 years ago, in the great city of Alexandria, the streets wind around glorious pagan temples and magnificent buildings of marble and stone. In the warm, golden sun, you walk through the bustling markets with sounds of bartering and exchange, and experience the warm scents of fresh fish, exotic fruits, pomegranates, glistening, plump olives, the sweet aroma of dates and musky perfume. And on certain days when the wind is in the right direction, you can lift your head and a delicious, tangy, salty odor wafts about, tantalizing your senses, and you think of the sea not so far away. Following the winding, thriving avenues, eventually you will arrive at the Street of the Carpenters, home of Joseph, his wife Mary, his son James and young Jesus. Included in this household is a close, extended family of brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins who practice Judaism in its’ traditional form in a foreign land.

“I was seven years old.” Thus begins this inspiring, year long story of the life of young Jesus, reared as a normal Jewish boy, taught by Jewish scholars and adhering to Jewish customs. He begins to discern, even at his young age, a difference between himself and the other children around him. There is a mystery that surrounds him of which no one will speak.

When Joseph receives foreknowledge of the death of Herod in Jerusalem, he determines to remove his entire family of carpenters and artisans to the village of Nazareth in the Holy Land. They are going home!

Filled with joy at the prospect, the entire family prayerfully prepares and embarks on this pilgrimage, striving to arrive in Jerusalem in time for the purification. But all is not well…the journey is perilous with confrontations of marauding bands of thieves and murderers who are attempting to overthrow Roman rule in Israel. And the sight of hundreds of crucifixions along the way add to the sorrow and fear suffered by the family of Joseph.

Finally, arriving at the village of Nazareth, they are amazed to find the site virtually uninhabited…until Old Sarah, the great aunt of Mary, emerges from the shadows of the house where they are to live and welcomes them with fervor and love. From here, the story revolves around day-to-day life in the village, working at carpentry, repairing the many ravaged homes and receiving teaching in the local synagogue. Jesus loves it all…he loves the crisp green grass and the endless hills and the gnarled olive trees – the freshness of the land. Here, he feels even closer to God and their relationship begins to expand.

But Jesus is troubled and eventually James, the son of Joseph, confides to Jesus his origin…the memories of the rustic stable, the ornately clad men who journeyed from the Orient with rich gifts and the stunned but joyful shepherds who came to worship the babe sleeping in his mother’s arms. And James has a terrible confession …one that will either cement or break their relationship.

“Christ the Lord” is an unbelievable departure for Anne Rice. Author of such well known novels as “Interview with the Vampire”, “The Queen of the Damned” and “Lasher”, Ms. Rice has made a huge leap into a different realm with her latest book. It’s obvious that she has meticulously researched the period as well as experienced a personal change in her life that gave her the desire to write such a poignant, lovely story. “Christ the Lord” is indeed a fictionalized account of the early years in the young boy, Jesus, but Anne Rice brings it to life in a way that is entrancing, fascinating and honest. It feels a bit slow in parts but I believe that it was necessary to set the stage as realistically as possible. I think you will really love this book…I did and I look forward to Anne Rice continuing this saga in the near future.

– Elizabeth Channery

The full audio version of Christ the Lord and an ebook version is also available for instant download at these sites: