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281st out of 1,138 books
—
953 voters
Eli
by
Bill Myers
What If Jesus Had Not Come Until Today? Who Would Follow Him? Who Would Kill Him? A fiery car crash hurls TV journalist Conrad Davis into another world exactly like ours except for one detail---Jesus Christ did not come 2,000 years ago, but today. Starting with angels heralding a birth in the back of a motel laundry room, the skeptical Davis watches the gospel unfold in to...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
January 7th 2003
by Zondervan
(first published January 1st 2000)
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In this evangelical novel, Myers utilizes a lot of dialogue to move the story along fairly quickly, and the parallel occurrences between the two worlds come together neatly. There is also a fair amount of action, and because Conrad is transported into a parallel universe where God sends his son to earth in modern day society, there is a challenge in trying to connect the experiences Eli and his followers go through with the experiences known of Jesus from the Bible. All of the characters are fla...more
This parallel history imagines what the world would be like if Christmas occurred not 2000 years ago, but 30 years ago. Some of the "bad guy" characters are a bit over the top, but it really clarifies how pathetic they truly are, rather than trying to make them seem Uber Evil.
Since I was familiar with the gospels' version of the events, I was familiar with the parallels the author made, and it kept me guessing about which character represented whom (with a few obvious exceptions).
As a general ru...more
Since I was familiar with the gospels' version of the events, I was familiar with the parallels the author made, and it kept me guessing about which character represented whom (with a few obvious exceptions).
As a general ru...more
I heard author, Bill Myers, speak at a Christian writer's conference in California last spring. His voice mesmerized me. His message captivated me. At the end of the conference I purchased his book, Eli, for my husband and had Bill sign it for him, secretly knowing I would also benefit from this "gift". I let it sit on my hubby's shelf with his other "to be read" books. I plowed through my pile of "to be read" books, until December, a month off book club, fewer school days, fewer activities, mor...more
What if Jesus hadn't been born two thousand years ago? What if his ministry began now? What type of people would be his followers? Who would be his enemies?
These are the initial questions that come into your mind when you first pick up this book, along with doubts that it will actually portray the biblical story or be "loosely based on truth" like a lot of modern books and movies have begun doing.
Before I really dive into this particular review, I need to say that I don't read religious books of...more
These are the initial questions that come into your mind when you first pick up this book, along with doubts that it will actually portray the biblical story or be "loosely based on truth" like a lot of modern books and movies have begun doing.
Before I really dive into this particular review, I need to say that I don't read religious books of...more
If I could rate this book any higher I would. As a christian women it made me weep. I've always known the story of Christ, but to have it put this way was just unbelievable!! After I read this book I went back to the Bible to look through some stuff that I obviously have missed in the 20 some odd years I've gone to church. The Bible has a lot to say and not very much room to do it in. And so it never really struck me to look at these events this way. Like when Eli was punished I couldn't stop th...more
This book, I am ashamed to say, sat on my shelf for several years before I finally picked it up. Last week, it made a long week in the hospital much more pleasant as I finally dove into this great book. It deals with entangled dimensions --a tiny bit of physics--to set a fascinating premise...What if Jesus is coming here to earth NOW in a different dimension? What happens if someone calls out to Jesus in their last breath? Does God save them? Here is a very plausible explanation for how that may...more
So this is kind of a weird book to review. This is actually the second time I've read it- the first time was when I was a kid, and I pulled it off my parents' bookshelf because it looked interesting. I remembered bits of it, and a few weeks ago decided I wanted to read it again.
It's still an interesting book. The writing style is pretty hokey in places, I won't lie, but then again flawless writing style isn't really the point of the book. It is basically a retelling of the Gospel story, set in t...more
It's still an interesting book. The writing style is pretty hokey in places, I won't lie, but then again flawless writing style isn't really the point of the book. It is basically a retelling of the Gospel story, set in t...more
What if Jesus had not come until today? Who would Follow him? Who would Kill him?
The above was taken from the back cover of the book. If you need anymore of a hook than that I'm afraid i can't help you.
This book failed to earn its fifth star because this is one of those books that you can never be sure if the character Conrad Davis is actually in a alternate universe or if he's just having some vivid Coma Dream.
The story jumps between the alternate universe (where Conrad meets Eli Shepard who's...more
The above was taken from the back cover of the book. If you need anymore of a hook than that I'm afraid i can't help you.
This book failed to earn its fifth star because this is one of those books that you can never be sure if the character Conrad Davis is actually in a alternate universe or if he's just having some vivid Coma Dream.
The story jumps between the alternate universe (where Conrad meets Eli Shepard who's...more
this book is about this guy who got in a car accendent,and he was in another world but with the exact same people and during all this he was in a coma in real life.when he was in his other life it was a ressurection of jesus and how he came back and no one belived that he was jesus.I think you should read this book because it gives you a mighty powerful look about howor why jesus died for us but in our languege.You might not like it because it kinda getsinto a good part then it goes back to wher...more
Wow, this book was so good....So good I must rate it a "five" and go back and downgrade ALL the other "fives" in my library. Granted, this book is a fantasy/alternate reality take on "The Greatest Story Ever Told", but even so, it's just so incredibly well done. The pacing is perfect, the characters are completely believable. I would recommend this book to ALL Christians as required reading, as I think it provides a much needed, fresh perspective on Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and amazingly enough...more
The premise was interesting, but the follow through didn't work so well for me. I ended up skimming most of it. It was written well, but I highly doubt that someone from now would be bounced into a parallel universe, live through a modern-day Jesus story and not realize that what happened had to happen. Maybe I missed that part when I was skimming, but that point seemed shaky. Also, the reason why the daughter and father were estranged because she thought he had lied to her about not letting go...more
I really liked this book and the idea of how life and churches would be if Jesus had not been born 2000+ years ago. I love how the author adapted the life of Jesus to modern U.S. life and culture. And the scene that represents the crucifixion is written with amazing description and will make any reader who loves our Lord weep intensely.
I read the book over five years ago, and parts of it still remain with me. This, and the author's teen books on the character of "Wally McDoogle" make me want to...more
I read the book over five years ago, and parts of it still remain with me. This, and the author's teen books on the character of "Wally McDoogle" make me want to...more
I sure found it different, a good exercise of imagination and I really enjoyed this writer's writing style. However, sometimes I did feel a bit lectured... And anyway, if Jesus Christ had not been born when he was, I surely believe that the world today would be a LOT different than it is.
I am also one who believes that Christ would not get that many followers if he'd been born in the present time. But the story is very interesting and I'd like to know more about Julia's life afterwards... I'm a...more
I am also one who believes that Christ would not get that many followers if he'd been born in the present time. But the story is very interesting and I'd like to know more about Julia's life afterwards... I'm a...more
This book tells two stories, one about Conrad Davis, a reporter for a primetime news magazine who has nothing but his job. He’s divorced from Suzanne, the mother of his daughter, Julia, and recently divorced from his second wife. At the beginning of the book, Conrad is in a coma following a car crash, and his daughter must come to terms with her feelings for him–having a series of flashbacks leading up to the incident that damaged their relationship–as she struggles to determine whether or not t...more
Beautifully written. I haven't read it in a while, because I lent it to someone and I don't remember who it was...sadness...
Anyway, this book avoided any irreverent look at Christ while still maintaining a modern-day outlook. It's really a discomforting, provocative thought to imagine what Jesus would do and say if He had come today...and then what we would do and say back to Him...
I think sometimes when reading the Bible, we tend to get caught in a false romanticism...and that's somewhat excusa...more
Anyway, this book avoided any irreverent look at Christ while still maintaining a modern-day outlook. It's really a discomforting, provocative thought to imagine what Jesus would do and say if He had come today...and then what we would do and say back to Him...
I think sometimes when reading the Bible, we tend to get caught in a false romanticism...and that's somewhat excusa...more
There are very few books I can read more than once--not because I don't often find good books, but because there are so many books I haven't read and want to and don't want to spend time on books I've already read. Bill Myers' brilliant story, Eli, is one of the few (along with anything by Amy Tan). This book tells two stories, one about Conrad Davis, a reporter for a primetime news magazine who has nothing but his job. He's divorced from Suzanne, the mother of his daughter, Julia, and recently...more
While many christian novels are chock full of blatant biblical references and cheesy dialogue, Eli isn't plagued with too many of these annoyances (that isn't to say there isn't any). The Messiah coming during modern time is an interesting concept to meditate on and I think Myers does a good job fleshing out the story and creating characters that are not only true to the Bible but still interesting and real. Not a story for everyone but worth giving it a try.
FIVE STARS! Highly recommended! My brother suggested I read this page-turner several years ago. I did, and have never forgotten how well it was written. I recently stopped in and picked it up at a used book store, as I loaned my copy out years ago, to whom I can't remember! The Scriptural parallels are well written and even if you don't have much knowledge of the Bible, the stories are suspenseful, engaging, and believable.
I can't recommend this book strongly enough. Reading Jesus' story set in contemporary times helped me to see what the Bible has to say in a fresh light and this novel has had a profound, lasting effect on my faith and how I see what it means to be like Jesus. Absolutely, absolutely read this. At worst, you'll have enjoyed a well-written novel that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every Christian reader.
Eli is typical of most bestseller kinds of material. The narrative is extremely good and keeps driving you throughout the pages. And then you get to the end and think, "Wait... Is that it?"
When I finished reading this, I stopped and felt my way back through it and realized that it just felt hollow. It seemed like a shell of something real, and a fragile one at that. Were I to touch it, press on it just a bit, it would crack open, and I would see the void and emptiness beneath.
There are some poin...more
When I finished reading this, I stopped and felt my way back through it and realized that it just felt hollow. It seemed like a shell of something real, and a fragile one at that. Were I to touch it, press on it just a bit, it would crack open, and I would see the void and emptiness beneath.
There are some poin...more
![Paige [eastIndies.]](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1329685083p2/719629.jpg)
At first, I thought this was going to be one of those cheesy Christian books. But, as I persisted myself to keep reading it, it got better, and I slowly started to make the connections between Jesus Christ in the Bible and Eli Sheperd in today's society. Although, I will admit, the book had it's cheesy moments, I do want to give the author definite credit for the excellence and accuracy in the way he portrayed Eli as Jesus and especially how he depicted him in today's world. I was impressed, to...more
Dec 06, 2012
April Peska
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-fiction
So often as we think of Jesus, it seems hard to break Him out of that guy with sand in his hair and a long white flowy robe thing on. This book was a great piece that took Jesus out if the desert for me and really think about His life in a different way. I thought it was a fantastic read, but its been a few years.
Not actually all that great. The premise is that Jesus comes in the present day. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that Bill Myers assumes the future would be the same whether Jesus had come 2000 years ago or today. Everything we see around us has had the influence of Christ. Nothing can escape that.
Timeline meets The Didymus Contingency meets The Robe. A great job by Myers in providing a fresh look at the teachings of Christ, supplementing the historical account with a contemporary re-telling. Very interesting, very well done, very thought-provoking. I loved the scene Eli (Jesus) goes into the worship center and starts tossing all its merchandise... Will be reading more of Myers.
Very thought provoking book. I found myself going back through the gospels to compare the stories of Jesus's life to what I was reading in Eli. This book places the setting of Jesus's story in modern day. I now completely "get" why Jesus was so controversial and such a threat to the establishment.
1 like · like · see review
I definitely recommend this book to others to read. It is a fiction book about what if Jesus were to come during our time and begin his ministry during our time (not a second coming...the first time). Very interesting perspective on what others may have thought of him, what the disciples may be like, etc.
I loved this book and made it a book club selection last year. My whole family listened to this in the car.
The story will stay with you a long time.
My favorite quote is "you are only as good as your word".
which maybe isn't so good. hopefully,if given the chance, you can always try again.
The story will stay with you a long time.
My favorite quote is "you are only as good as your word".
which maybe isn't so good. hopefully,if given the chance, you can always try again.
This modern day version of the life of Christ was very thought provoking. It made me realize that I need to focus more on what is really important. It is really difficult to live the way Lord wants us to live and I am not sure many of us could live by all the teachings in this book. I plan to try a little harder though.
This a great Christian book. It's the first of a trilogy and I feel it's the only one worth reading. The other two, I just couldn't get into. I have thought about the topic about Jesus before and wondering how today would be without Him and this answered it for me.
I adored this book! Beautifully written and provocative (in a good way). I felt so uplifted after reading this book, and so much closer to my Savior. Recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian novels or alternative histories.
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Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large...more
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Apr 14, 2012 07:13pm