Madman: A Novel

I lead a combo Bible study/book club at my church. Our Faith And Fiction group was concentrating on the healing miracles of Jesus and chose Madman by Tracy Groot as the complimentary novel. The book is based on the Biblical account of the Gerasene demoniac. While the book received mixed reviews from the members of the study, I found it a challenging and viewpoint-expanding read. Complex in structure as well as characterization, Madman is a book that must be read slowly to experience all that it has to offer. It is Biblical fiction like no other I have encountered. Told from the perspective of a servant of a Greek philosopher, a student in his own right, Madman gives the reader a look into the Gentile life of Palestine. Should you read show more it? This one is not for someone who wants a quick, easy, or even light read. Its subject matter is madness and demonic possession and the power of Jesus to reach into both and set the captive free. If you are up for a challenge, then I urge you to give this one a look.

Tallis has been sent by his master, Calimachus, to the Decapolis in Palestine to find out what has happened to the philosophical school that had been founded in his name. What Tallis finds is mystery and danger and a tormented man who lives in the tombs.

The story is told from the third person point of view of Tallis and letters to his master back in Athens. Tallis has scars from a childhood trauma that make him vulnerable to both human and spiritual attack. But as he receives warning after warning to go home, Tallis is determined to find the truth. Supporting characters are interesting and unlike what I am used to in traditional Biblical fiction. Part of that may stem from the fact that all of the characters are Gentiles, descendants of Greek colonists that now make the Decapolis their home. The Decapolis is very definitely not a Jewish enclave. Its cultural life is based upon its Greek origins and includes the pagan rites and worship foreign to their Jewish neighbors. It is this paganism that I found the most interesting. While the Greeks prided themselves on rational thought and discourse, parts of their society clung to worship of gods that demanded much from their adherents. Tallis must deal with the whys of the man’s demonic possession, something that is missing from the Biblical record. The reader soon discovers that pride, arrogance, and the search for god-like power and knowledge leave more than the man in the tombs vulnerable to demonic attack. The entrance of Jesus into the story comes late in the book, but there is a great anticipation of his arrival that is felt throughout. I found the portrayal of the demoniac’s torment and his ultimate deliverance especially powerful.

Madman is an early book by Tracy Groot. This Christy Award winner for historical fiction has just been recently re-released. While I am not sure my reading experience was one of enjoyment, I am glad I read this riveting novel.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Nëse ka një rrugë për të hyrë në çmenduri, logjika thotë se duhet të ketë edhe një rrugë për të dalë. Kështu thotë logjika.

Tallis, shërbëtor i një filozofi, dërgohet në një akademi greke në Palestinë, vetëm për të zbuluar se ajo është zhdukur në heshtje, në mënyrë ogurzezë. Askush nuk i tregon se çfarë ka ndodhur, por ai mëson se ç’u bë me katër prej dijetarëve të saj. Njëri u vra. Njëri kreu vetëvrasje. Njëri adhuron në tempullin e Dionisit. Dhe njëri… njëri është i çmendur.

Nga autorja fituese e çmimit Christy, Tracy Groot, vjen një rrëfim me mister, tmerr dhe shpresë në mes të një errësire të paimagjinueshme: historia pas të demonizuarit nga Gerasa në Ungjijtë sipas show more Markut dhe Lukës. show less

Tallis, a servant to a great Roman philosopher, is sent to find out what happened to an academy founded by his employer and finds death, chaos and madness.

I found the beginning of this novel to be dark and strange, and looked forward to the plot unfolding the mystery. Similarly, the start of the romance between Tallis and Kes is promising, not overdone, tender. Ultimately, though, the plot and the characters fall just a little flat. It seems like Groot starts with a good, solid story and ends with a mediocre parable. Of course it doesn’t help that the climax involves Jesus saving everyone, but that’s just my bias....

Based on the ARC: A surprisingly good story that went to a different place. Very educational as well, and the author has a feel for the early Christian area community living that rings true. Worth picking up if you have an interest in historical mysteries and enjoy a bit of a thriller.

Honestly--this is one of the best books I've ever read. I definitely didn't see the end coming and I enjoyed the dark and thrilling storyline. Highly recommended.