book data
42 ratings, 3.90 average rating, 26 reviews
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published
August 28th 2008
by Algonquin Books
binding
Hardcover, 320 pages
isbn
1565126076
(isbn13: 9781565126077)
description
What if Jesus suddenly appeared and announced that he planned to run for President of the United States? Yes, that Jesus. And what if a well-meaning b...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 112)
Read in September, 2008
Ummm ... an interesting read. I agree with Patty who said that there were some things in the book that bugged her. I felt the same way . . . and if there were half stars on Goodreads I'd give a 4 1/2. One of the criteria for me in giving a book 5 stars is whether I would want to pick it up and read it again. And with this book, I would.
The novel was readable, and somewhat predictable. Yet, it made me expand my thinking. I was initially offended at some of the personal things Jesus knew...more
The novel was readable, and somewhat predictable. Yet, it made me expand my thinking. I was initially offended at some of the personal things Jesus knew...more
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Read in October, 2008
Won this as a First Reads- It's so awesome to have a book with "Advanced Copy- Not For Sale" printed on it! Thanks!
****************
When I first began this book, I had a hard time getting Christopher Moore's Josh (Jesus)character out of my head. I will admit that the Jesus of American Savior didn't immediately strike me as much as the Jesus of Lamb.
However, after a few chapters, I was able to put that aside and begin to enjoy this book. This is a story that ...more
****************
When I first began this book, I had a hard time getting Christopher Moore's Josh (Jesus)character out of my head. I will admit that the Jesus of American Savior didn't immediately strike me as much as the Jesus of Lamb.
However, after a few chapters, I was able to put that aside and begin to enjoy this book. This is a story that ...more
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Read in August, 2008
I really liked this idea for a book. I was looking forward to reading it. I had even looked at some of the other books by this author and thought about going ahead and ordering them. However, it's just ok. It's not a great book. The premise is that Jesus comes back to American to enter into the presidential election months before November. He picks several "normal" people to become his staff of advisors. 13 of them to be exact. The book has a religious slant to it but mostly it's about...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
politically inclined folks, Chris Moore fans
This is an extremely interesting book. The premise: Jesus comes back, this time running for President of the United States. Religion plays only the smallest of rolls in this book--it mostly deals with political and social realities that are achingly current though dressed up slightly differently (eg: The Neverending War, which is in South America instead of the Iraq War, and hilarious name substitutions like Hurry Linneament and Shawn "No So" Mannily). It's an intense mixture of h...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Robert by:
Found it in the library
This is a pretty good book written by a good writer. When I first picked it up I thought it was going to have a lot more politics in it. But the story seems to be more about how a normal journalist deals with helping Jesus run for president. All the names are made up, including the tv and radio personalities but you get a good idea who you think certain people are. Not a bad story, but he does give clues about how it all ends.
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Read in August, 2008
Here’s a quirky book that seems entirely fitting for right now. WWJD if he was a presidential candidate? Jesus’ comment on page 129 captures it: “I offer you my blessings and I ask for your vote.” References to current politics are sprinkled throughout and fun to catch. But I suppose what hit me most was the notion that our nation would actually support a candidate as compassionate, peace-loving and wise as Jesus. Sad, but with so much cynicism and dirty tricks in politics, that wa...more
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Read in November, 2008
I really wanted to love this book - the premise was fantastic and I won it off GoodReads (even better!)
I've been trying to finish it for a month and I just can't. The characters are flat and uninteresting. The plot feels like a copycat of recent politcal events. Even though I agree with the points the author is trying to make, I'm just not interested enough to continue.
The writing is OK - there are a few clever moments, but overall, the book just isn't particularly engaging.
I will...more
I've been trying to finish it for a month and I just can't. The characters are flat and uninteresting. The plot feels like a copycat of recent politcal events. Even though I agree with the points the author is trying to make, I'm just not interested enough to continue.
The writing is OK - there are a few clever moments, but overall, the book just isn't particularly engaging.
I will...more
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This book couldn't be more current. The premise: Jesus comes back, this time running for the presidency of the United States. There is very little religion in this book, surprisingly--he's running on a platform of kindness, understanding, optimism and fairness (how outstandingly refreshing after every evening's political news these days). There is a lot of what the book calls "reverent irreverence", definitely some laugh out loud moments and some hilarious camouflage for real life ...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Amber by:
Good reads
Wow. I just finished this book and I have to say it is a rare thing for a book to affect me this way. It is a book based in the future where Jesus comes back to Earth and of all things runs for President of the United States. We are taken through one of the members of his team on a wild ride of belief and doubt. I am not a particularly religious person, and definately not a political person, but I do concider myself spiritual. If I had to put this book into one of those catigories I would say it...more
Read in October, 2008
recommended to Jeanne by:
GoodRead's First Reads
I won this book in one of GoodRead's "First Reads" contests and got an advance copy in the mail with a nice note from the publisher. Thanks, GoodReads! Unfortunately it took me forever to read, which, even though I've been busy, is an indication of how good it is... if a book is really good, I'll make time for it. I really like Merullo's writing style, but the tale itself was predictable and didn't have the impact I thought it could. Plus, the thinly-veiled commentary on current politi...more
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone
I really liked this book. The idea was great and it was a fun read. I was happy that Jesus wasn't written as a preachy/Bible type but as what I believe he really was, a wonderful example of how we all could be and a better way to live. It's all about the love. I'm not sure how I feel though about the predictable ending--maybe it could have been done differently but then I wasn't the writer.
Great read, I'm glad I won the advance copy from Goodreads.
thanks
Great read, I'm glad I won the advance copy from Goodreads.
thanks
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I just love Roland Merullo--he's my new favorite author. I am reading Breakfast for Buddha slowly because I don't want it to be over...but this is my next book, when I do finish.
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Read in October, 2008
When I learned that Roland Merullo had written a novel about Jesus's campaign for the presidency, I couldn't resist. It wasn't a disappointment--Jesus comes back as the son of a Native American woman who surfs divinely(!), talks about his feminine side, and takes the fundies to task for their judgmental ways. Merullo assembles a fun supporting cast. The arguments between the narrator's parents are worth the read all by themselves.
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Read in September, 2008
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I feel like if I try to describe this book that I won't do it justice, but the author weaves a story of American politics and religion that is both cheeky and reverent at the same time. His answers to the tough questions of religion make me wish I had him for my Sunday School teacher.
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I loved Breakfast with the Buddha by this author and really enjoyed this one though there were some things that felt contrived like the twists on the names of real life characters to fictional ones. I really appreciated Jesus' response to fundamentalist Christian attitudes and actions in his name.
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Read in June, 2008
If I could, I'd probably give this book four and a half stars, or maybe four and three-quarters. There were a few things that bugged me a little, but I really did like it a lot. I hope it gets the attention it deserves and raises some controversy and discussion. I think you should read it!
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
Don't let the cover blurb of this book fool you - this is one excellent read. No matter what your belief system, there is something in this book that you will find amusing and compelling. Would YOU vote for Jesus Christ the politician?
Needless to say, I enjoyed it a great deal.
Needless to say, I enjoyed it a great deal.
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Read in November, 2008
I thought this book was fantastic. If only it would really happen. It is interesting to see how Jesus manages to do something elaborate at every stop. Some of today's candidates could pick up some pointers.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Heather by:
Marcella
Really good story and especially relevant with our current political situation. I especially liked that the plot and character of Jesus was not preachy and not really about organized religion.
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Read in September, 2008
Yae! I won this book from Goodreads! I'll make sure to fill you in on it as soon as I get it read! Thank you Goodreads!!!
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quotes from this book
"As soon as Jesus had delivered himself of this mild, sensible idea, people started throwing things."
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