Christ the Lord is a book by Anne Rice. Although better known for her vampire books, she tackles one of the biggest characters in history.
Christ the Lord is a book by New York Times best selling author Anne Rice. Although Rice is perhaps better known for her vampire books, she tackles one of the biggest characters in human history, available in a 300-plus page paperback edition.
First published in 2005, the book begins with Jesus and his family leaving Egypt to return home. We are introduced to a Jesus who merely has an inkling that there is something profoundly different about him. We see him accidentally kill a bully and bring him back to life by merely wishing it. While something like this would go far beyond any suspension of disbelief in a book about a different character, it merely adds to the reader's wonder - what must it have been like to be a child and the son of God? Although still a child at the close of the book, we see a Jesus who has realized his destiny and is ready to go about the work of his father.
Anne Rice successfully gets into the consciousness of Jesus as a child. He is respectful of his parents and loves his family. Through his eyes we see Mary and Joseph. We understand why his parents have told him never to ask about what happened in Bethlehem or why they are in hiding. We understand why he wants to obey his parents at the same time he is compelled to find out.
Rice uses her tremendous skills as a writer and researcher to portray the very real and human world of Jesus as he discovers for himself what makes each person human.
The book is set during a time of great turbulence. Herod has just died and his children are fighting for the throne. Jesus and his family make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Jesus witnesses death firsthand, seeing a man speared. Rice's portrayal of how this haunts Jesus is profound as we see not only the reaction of a seven-year-old boy but one who will ultimately save all humans.
It's a real page turner that is ultimately believable and a great reflection tool for lent.
Don't skip the author commentary at the end of the book. This section outlines Rice's spiritual journey back to the Roman Catholic church. It also addresses her research techniques and theories.
It's a must have for any one interested in the day-to-day life of Jesus Christ.
