Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Writing a fictionalized life of Christ in the first person is a gutsy move. There must be a million ways to do it wrong, and very few that wouldn’t seem ridiculous or pietistic. In this book – obviously the product of extensive research and deep reflection – Anne Rice tells a completely believable (if you’re a believer, that is – this book won’t convince any non-believers) story of the child Jesus in His imagined voice.
First of all, it’s a good story, a coming-of-age tale in which “who am I” has cosmic implications. Secondly, it’s and extended meditation on the Incarnation. Thirdly, it’s a lovely portrait of a happy if sometimes contentious extended family.
The very premise of this book sounds ridiculous but I was happily surprised to find that I could hardly put it down.
(The author’s note at the end of the book contains Rice’s story of her return to the Church and an interesting account of her sources and thought processes during the writing of the book. Her discussion of the dating of the Gospels is particularity interesting.)
