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trin's review against another edition
2.0
In which time travel and Jesus are combined in a somewhat interesting way—yes, the one you’re thinking; or at least, the one my mind leapt to, without actually being told. Anyway, it’s an interesting idea, but I’m not sure the story used to convey the idea is the best it could have possibly been. I sympathize with this problem, as it’s one I have all the time with my own writing. However, I feel less than sympathetic toward Karl, this novel’s protagonist, who’s a whiny little bitch; and toward Moorcock, for the way he writes women. Combining Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene into one woman is sort of an interesting idea, but once again, the execution just leaves us with a character who’s a nasty ho. And then there’s Karl’s girlfriend, who ditches him in favor of another woman…who could blame her, honestly? Man, this book leaves you with a dim outlook on humanity. Which I guess could be the point, in a watch-me-drip-with-irony sort of way. But I think it makes for a rather shallow, sallow reading experience.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
A bumbler from the contemporary era who is struggling with identity, sexuality, and religion travels to the times of Christ and becomes a part of history. Inventive and interesting. Oddly enough one of the more accessible works by Moorcock.
hakimbriki's review against another edition
3.0
Basically:
I was very surprised at how hardcore some of this was. Imagine if this book came out in this day and age and won the Nebula award... Imagine the outrage on social media, the death threats against the author, the publishing company, or anyone who defends the book. I'm not sure if Moorcock faced any heat in 1969, but I really think this would not fly today. What he did took balls.
I really liked the first part of the novel. I thought it a brilliant way to introduce the intrigue and the characters. I was fully absorbed in the narrative, right until Then things just got a little too silly and immature for me. Some of the plot choices do not make much sense, and the rest of the novel didn't serve much of a purpose, since we all knew what was about to unfold. Ontological paradoxes are always a hindrance in science fiction, in my book. One must be immensely crafty and imaginative to pull off a good time travel story. In the case of this novel, On top of that, one of the love interests of the protagonist in the book, , has to be one of the most irksome I've ever encountered.
Read this if you enjoy time travel stuff. It is a flawed book, but it has its moments.
I was very surprised at how hardcore some of this was. Imagine if this book came out in this day and age and won the Nebula award... Imagine the outrage on social media, the death threats against the author, the publishing company, or anyone who defends the book. I'm not sure if Moorcock faced any heat in 1969, but I really think this would not fly today. What he did took balls.
I really liked the first part of the novel. I thought it a brilliant way to introduce the intrigue and the characters. I was fully absorbed in the narrative, right until
Spoiler
Karl reached Nazareth.Spoiler
The way Karl carries out some of the miracles is laughable and quite lazy from the author, who even skips some of the big picture ones, like the Lazarus resurrection. A bit of a cop out, if you ask me.Spoiler
If Karl knew all about Jesus, and then becomes Jesus, how did it all start? Who came first?Spoiler
MonicaRead this if you enjoy time travel stuff. It is a flawed book, but it has its moments.
pryme's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spikespiegel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
billymac1962's review against another edition
5.0
Jesus, what a story. I mean that literally. A man gives his friend's new time machine a whirl and goes back 2000 years in the hopes of meeting Jesus Christ. What follows is disturbing, depressing, and funny.
It's bound to offend any fundamentalist. It's a quick read, although hard to find. I had to order it at my local bookstore and it was well worth the wait. If you have a problem with sacrilige, read the Bible instead.
It's bound to offend any fundamentalist. It's a quick read, although hard to find. I had to order it at my local bookstore and it was well worth the wait. If you have a problem with sacrilige, read the Bible instead.
knightofswords's review against another edition
3.0
Probably would have been WHOA MINDBLOWING in the 1960s, but kinds loses its impact in the 2020s when this story has been told before. I'm probably rating it unfairly because of that, but, eh.
eliathereader's review against another edition
4.0
Kurgusu, yapısı çok iyiydi. Konusu bakımından rahatsız olanlar olabilir ama sonuçta bu yazarın kurgusu ve zaman makinesi üzerinden anlatmış o yüzden asıl odaklanılacak kısım bilimkurgusal kısmı olmalı.
ecleirs23's review against another edition
5.0
A Cerebral Sci Fi. Absolutely mind boggling :)
Short novella but all Controversial.
Short novella but all Controversial.