World Famous Comics: The Messiah of Morris Avenue: A Novel
The Messiah of Morris Avenue: A Novel
By: Tony Hendra Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Format: Bargain Price Label: Henry Holt and Co. Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 256 Publication Date: April 04, 2006 Release Date: April 04, 2006
From the bestselling author of Father Joe, a slyly comic, deeply spiritual novel that imagines the Second Coming—and an unlikely, lovably human new savior
Tony Hendra’s Father Joe became a new classic of faith and spirituality—even for those not usually inclined. Now Hendra is back with a novel set in a very reverent future where church and state walk hand in hand. Fade-in as Johnny Greco—a fallen journalist who nurses a few grudges along with his cocktails—stumbles onto the story of a young man named Jay who’s driving around New Jersey preaching radical notions (kindness, generosity) and tossing off miracles. How better, Johnny schemes, to stick it to the Reverend Sabbath, America’s #1 Holy Warrior, than to write a headline-making story announcing Jay as the Second Coming? Then something strange happens. Died-in-the-wool skeptic Johnny actually finds his own life being transformed by the new messiah.
Alternately hilarious and genuinely moving, The Messiah of Morris Avenue brings to life a savior who reminds the world of what Jesus actually taught and wittily skewers all sorts of sanctimoniousness on both sides of the political spectrum. Writing with heart, a sharp eye, and a passionate frustration with those who feel they hold a monopoly on God, Tony Hendra has created a delightful entertainment that reminds us of the unfailing power of genuine faith.
A Second Coming story for the (new?) Ages The pull of the figure of Christ, and especially of his predicted return, is so strong that more than a few authors have tried to tackle the subject. The "Left Behind" series and "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger" represent the conservative corner of the attempts, while "The Christ Clone Trilogy" holds down the...*less* conservative side. Now, Tony Hendra tries his hand at the subject with "The Messiah of Second Avenue," a very sweet, fast-paced tale that takes place in the not-too-distant future.
Hendra imagines an America where warmongering conservative religious leaders have taken over and remade the US government. Newspapers have mostly gone out business, blasphemy has been criminalized, and the movie industry forced to put out only "non-offensive" pro-Christian content. Not everyone is happy with the results, not the least of which is Johnny Greco, former writer for the "newspaper of record" and Entertainment Tonight-style talking head. Greco is skeptical when reports start filtering in about a man with a "posse" of disciples doing miracles in New Jersey. Chosen to write the man's story, Greco finds himself drawn more and more into a drama that will change his life.
"The Messiah of Morris Avenue" is irreverent and holy at the same time. Hendra's take on the power and hypocrisy of the religious right is sometimes heavy-handed. His reworking of Church dogmas may turn off conservatives. His obvious updatings of Palm Sunday and the feeding of the 5000 might cause some to roll their eyes. But his Jesus, a young, sweatshirted Hispanic guy from the Bronx, is a lot like the first -- easy on the poor and oppressed, tough on the rich and powerful.
Questionable theology aside, you could do worse than that.
Read it twice Everything you know about Christianity in today's society is challenged in this book. It's thoughtful, real, and moving. It will make you cry, laugh, and think about the way our world is heading. It will make you remember what Christianity was all about. I've read it several times now, and will never tire of it.
Typical Nothing new here in the "Messiah" genre. This one is hispanic. Other than that, same old, same old.
Flawed but thought provoking This is not a great piece of literature. The placement of the story in a United States run by a "Christian Taliban" government is never believable. Plot developments mirroring the life of Jesus take place far too quickly to elicit an emotional response. The characters are never developed beyond stereotypes. Yet, author Tony Hendra has produced a thought provoking novel posing the question what would happen if Jesus appeared to correct the mis-interpretation of His message. After reading the book I felt energized and captivated by the underlying message of the book. It can be found in one of the quotes of the Messiah character in the book - "All evil begins with this belief: that another's existence is less precious than mine." Reading the book caused me to reflect on my own spirituality. This novel takes "what would Jesus do" to another level. I strongly recommend it, despite its flaws.
Good concept...still not the real Jesus I loved the idea of Jesus against the Legalistic Pharisee Christians ooozing religiosity. I was just too distracted in this book by the deviations from the Jesus of the Bible. I would not have been critical if the claim was not that he is the REAL Jesus, but a man walking in the path of Jesus.
The first deviation that bothered me was the Jospeh character being a verbally abusive husband and absent father. They did get the carpenter part right. In the Bible (and historically) Joseph was a man of courage and integrity.
The deviations just kept nagging at me. It's too bad the author's liberal agenda was more important than telling this amazing story. I think Jesus is neither liberal nor conservative.
If you're looking to think outside the box as a Christian, try reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Don Miller. He challenges the fundamental right and yet manages to stick to the truths of the Bible.
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