Hello,
Thanks to iUniverse, LLC, author Van R. Mayhall Jr. and NetGalley for access to this book. It took me awhile to get around to reading it, but I'm so glad I did.
First a disclosure, I very much believe in the Lord, Our Savior. While not even close to being a scriptorian, I have read and studied the story of Jesus and Judas multiple times. While this book is a work of fiction, that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of truth and good points in it.
Some of the questions this book brings up are: What exactly was Judas' role in the life and death of our Savior? Was he a good or bad person? Was he a villain or did he just have a role to play, although the word role doesn't give his task enough credit. With a Gospel of Judas possibly found and first published in 2006, what other scripture could there be out there? In 2012 a Gospel of Jesus's Wife was presented as a conference in Rome. It seems that no one knows the authenticity of these, but it does make me wonder what other scriptures might there be out in the world. And what is it those Gospels might reveal to the world? But ultimately does it matter what Judas' actual role was, as long as it was finished? Also how close is this book to "The Davinci Code"? It is similar, but goes down a different path than "Code". I liked both books quite a bit.
"Judas The Apostle" starts off with a double barrel shotgun. First we meet Elazar ben Yair. It seems he's the last member of the Sicaii- who had lead a revolt against the authorities, chiefly the Romans. After the Romans sacked Jerusalem in AD 70, Elazar led the remaining Sicarii in their flight to Masada. There so they wouldn't be captured by the Romans, they set up an elaborate suicide. This mass suicide wiped out all of the Sicarii- or so it seemed.
Second "Judas the Apostle" moves it's way to Louisiana with an assailant attacking an old man. The old man is Thibodeaux Lejeune, better known as Thibs. The assailant thinks that that Thibs has something extremely valuable. But what the assailant doesn't know is that Thibs, is a war hero. A man that knows how to defend himself and the assailant is in for an unpleasant demise.
"Judas The Apostle" begins with this explosive beginning and never takes it's foot off the pedal. We meet Cloe, Thibs' daughter, and J.E., Thibs grand son. Cloe had left Louisiana and Thibs behind several years ago. Thibs untimely death brings Cloe and J.E. back to Louisiana and the mystery of why Thibs was killed.
It has to do with a jar that Thibs had brought home from World War 2, a jar he had found in a cave in Tunisia. This is the beginning to an exciting book as we follow the journey of the jar, Cloe, J.E., The Monsignor Albert, Thibs brother Sonny and the evil and greedy The Kolektor.
Cloe wants to find out what's in this jar, could it really be The Gospel of Judas? If so what does that mean.? Obviously representing the Vatican, the Monsignor has a vested interest. But hating the Catholic Church, The Kolektor also has a vested interest. Who will win this showdown between these two very divergent viewpoints and styles? As we read this book we see both the best and worst of mankind.
Some books I read for NetGalley can be a bit of a chore, but this book is a much different story- so to speak!! If you haven't been able to tell already, I absolutely loved this book. While it isn't the perfect book, it's very, very good. I loved the characters and how the author used them to express viewpoints. I loved learning more about the story and possibilities of Judas' life. These possibilities are related through a non-condescending tone. The author doesn't speak down to the reader, but explains these possibilities in a very enlightening and logical way.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of both the life of Jesus, Biblical mysteries and high quality fiction. This is the first part of a trilogy, which is good. As I finished reading this there were still several things unanswered. I thought to myself I wish there was another book in this series. Not only is there another book, there are two more books in this series. You can get all three books for only $1.99 each to your kindle.
themusicaddict
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