I absolutely love this book. It's one of my all-time favorites. It was interesting the way Mr. Kazantzakis portrayed Mary Magdalene and Jesus. His "last temptation" seemed, to me, totally plausible. ( )

What I wanted when I chose this book was a pragmatic historical story of Jesus' life and times. I thought it would complement well with much of my Ancient Rome reading. Truth be told, I've only recently come to realize that Jesus and the apostles were not just mythical but actual historical personages as well. What I got instead -- a tedious, overwrought Biblical-type rendering of Jesus' rise and fall. Lots of fire and brimstone, angels, dreams, etc., etc. .

Empirically, perhaps the book is well-written, creative, intelligent -- apparently, considered a masterpiece. But I personally could not enjoy it. Jesus was a prickly, unlikeable, unpredictable and the apostles certainly weren't admirable -- yet I don't necessarily think the author was trying to paint a negative picture -- I mean, Jesus did perform actual miracles in the book -- the whole thing was just wacky.

I think my biggest complaint is the high-flung almost hysterical prose and dialogue. I found I could only tolerate the novel if I quasi-skimmed. I am left feeling perhaps I should have just buckled down and read the Gospels themselves. Maybe this is better for readers with more of a theological bent -- it didn't please this historical fiction fan. ( )

The Last Temptation of Christ is a seminal and challenging work, which pushes readers to identify with Jesus on a human level, not just the divine and distant way in which most people are used to thinking about him. This can be uncomfortable for believers, to think of Jesus as having doubt or second thoughts. But without them, Jesus is in some ways only a puppet; having a Christ with whom readers can relate allows for a deeper and more meaningful Christianity.

And even stepping back from matters of faith, The Last Temptation is still a good story. The historical background of Judaism in first-century Israel is really well-done and gives the book an interesting atmosphere. The characters are dynamic and fleshed-out, much more than in the Bible, and I know that's going to color how I read the gospels from now on. ( )

The story of the gospel and passion of Jesus, told with a literary power it is difficult not to be moved by. The Jesus portrayed is as human as he is divine, and his attempt to reconcile those two poles of himself make for a poignant struggle.

What really shines through in this novel is the power and physicality of Kazantzakis writing. The world of the Gospels, one which is corrupt and fallen but still worth saving, comes across vividly. The apostles are striking in their humanity, but their camradaire and disagreements bring the ferment that surrounds Jesus to life.

Jesus comes through as an idealistic revolutionary, trying to reconcile the various aspects of a fallen world, trying to balance love with justice and the spirit with the flesh. And you really feel his struggle, the way he takes up an idea and then realizes he needs to reconsider. He finally grapples with the only road left to him, and we feel the inherent tragedy of the inevitable.

Even if you're not a religious person (I'm not), it makes for some very vivid, powerful reading. ( )

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5... ( )