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suklaa's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very interesting concept and use of time travel. However despite being such a short book, it took me a while to read it because it's quite boring. The main character doesn't embrace his "destiny" until like the last 30 pages. Half or more of the book is flashbacks which really bothered me. It gave an explanation for the main character's actions but still, it focused too much on his Backstory rather than the more interesting plot at hand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
deimosremus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is only the second Moorcock novel I've read, the other being Elric of Melnibone... and it's interesting to note the difference of writing style between his science fiction/speculative fiction and his fantasy. I thoroughly enjoy Moorcock as a writer of both genres, but his fantasy is a lot more pulpy and less lofty in its prose, structure and ideas, despite the generally larger scale.
Behold the Man is a novel I've been aware of for quite some time now, presenting a narrative that involves traveling back in time to when Jesus had lived. It definitely has all the hallmarks of an evocative New Wave sci-fi tale, especially with how provocative and potentially controversial the premise is. It's punchy and disturbing, but very fascinating in its approach to discussing religion and how history is often shaped by it, for better or worse.
I think my only criticism is something that a lot of New Wave fiction is "guilty" of, and it's how some scenes and ideas can be a bit too... edgy, for lack of a better word, trying too hard to elicit feelings of shock. But, more than any movement within the genre, the New Wave was reactionary and rebellious of tradition, so it makes sense.
Behold the Man is a novel I've been aware of for quite some time now, presenting a narrative that involves traveling back in time to when Jesus had lived. It definitely has all the hallmarks of an evocative New Wave sci-fi tale, especially with how provocative and potentially controversial the premise is. It's punchy and disturbing, but very fascinating in its approach to discussing religion and how history is often shaped by it, for better or worse.
I think my only criticism is something that a lot of New Wave fiction is "guilty" of, and it's how some scenes and ideas can be a bit too... edgy, for lack of a better word, trying too hard to elicit feelings of shock. But, more than any movement within the genre, the New Wave was reactionary and rebellious of tradition, so it makes sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexual content
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