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Biblical
A strange phenomenon is sweeping the globe. People are having visions, seeing angels, experiencing events that defy reality. Bizarre accounts pour in from distant places: a French teenager claims to have witnessed Joan of Arc being burned at the stake; a man in New York dies of malnutrition in a luxurious Central Park apartment; a fundamentalist Christian sect kidnaps and murders a geneticist.
Then there is the graffiti WE ARE BECOMING that has popped up in every major city around the world, in every language. And everywhere people are starting to talk about John Astor, the mysterious author of the book that seems to be at the center of it all.
After a rash of suicides around the world by individuals experiencing the time traveling hallucinations, psychiatrist John Macbeth and a team of FBI agents and scientists assemble to find out what’s going on before it’s too late. Is this a spiritual phenomenon or something more sinister?
Then there is the graffiti WE ARE BECOMING that has popped up in every major city around the world, in every language. And everywhere people are starting to talk about John Astor, the mysterious author of the book that seems to be at the center of it all.
After a rash of suicides around the world by individuals experiencing the time traveling hallucinations, psychiatrist John Macbeth and a team of FBI agents and scientists assemble to find out what’s going on before it’s too late. Is this a spiritual phenomenon or something more sinister?
440 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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1073 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
July 26, 2014
Publication Date: May 1st from Quercus.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the copy via a Goodreads Giveaway.
An apocalyptic thriller on an epic scale that will make you question your own reality.
All around the world, people start to see things that aren’t there, that cannot be. Visions, ghosts, events from the past playing out in the present.
This was brilliant. And extraordinarily unnerving. I’m still in it now 24 hours later thats how good it is.
When people all over the world start experiencing weird sensations of deja vu, followed by hallucinations, Dr John Macbeth gets drawn into a mystery – what he discovers may change humanity forever.
One of the taglines on this is “it will make you question your own reality” – well yes. It absolutely did. Intelligent and extremely addictive reading, not a chapter passed me by without some level of contemplation before diving into the next – this is so well constructed, with so many twists and turns and genuinely mind blowing moments that you will barely be able to catch your breath. With elements of both science and faith, shrewdly playing on that feeling of disconnection we all get at times, you will find yourself thinking about it in those odd quiet moments of life and wondering…
Terrific characters, some peripheral, some magically involving, along with some absolutely stunning scene setting, especially with reference to the hallucinations, I would find it hard to think of an apocalyptic thriller that is better than this one for pure reading adrenalin. It will suck you in, mess with your head, then spit you out the other side feeling like you’ve run a marathon. Maybe. But have you really?
Some fascinating and gripping idea’s here, a thought provoking, stunning read and one I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who can appreciate a damn good story that not only entertains but also makes you look at the world around you in a whole new way…
Read it. Live it. Love it.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the copy via a Goodreads Giveaway.
An apocalyptic thriller on an epic scale that will make you question your own reality.
All around the world, people start to see things that aren’t there, that cannot be. Visions, ghosts, events from the past playing out in the present.
This was brilliant. And extraordinarily unnerving. I’m still in it now 24 hours later thats how good it is.
When people all over the world start experiencing weird sensations of deja vu, followed by hallucinations, Dr John Macbeth gets drawn into a mystery – what he discovers may change humanity forever.
One of the taglines on this is “it will make you question your own reality” – well yes. It absolutely did. Intelligent and extremely addictive reading, not a chapter passed me by without some level of contemplation before diving into the next – this is so well constructed, with so many twists and turns and genuinely mind blowing moments that you will barely be able to catch your breath. With elements of both science and faith, shrewdly playing on that feeling of disconnection we all get at times, you will find yourself thinking about it in those odd quiet moments of life and wondering…
Terrific characters, some peripheral, some magically involving, along with some absolutely stunning scene setting, especially with reference to the hallucinations, I would find it hard to think of an apocalyptic thriller that is better than this one for pure reading adrenalin. It will suck you in, mess with your head, then spit you out the other side feeling like you’ve run a marathon. Maybe. But have you really?
Some fascinating and gripping idea’s here, a thought provoking, stunning read and one I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who can appreciate a damn good story that not only entertains but also makes you look at the world around you in a whole new way…
Read it. Live it. Love it.
Happy Reading Folks!
June 12, 2014
Oh my God. Where do I start with this review? I had to put the book down and pause, as I was blindsided by the ending.
This book has shot to number 1 ( shares top position with Ben Elton's Two Brothers ) , in my favourite books list and I don't do that lightly. Science meets religion meets quantum physics meets - I don't know what. Utterly fantastic, gripping, mind altering and thought provoking book. So many shocks and gasps and ohmygods . Can't say anymore without giving plot twists away , but I can say ..read it.
This book has shot to number 1 ( shares top position with Ben Elton's Two Brothers ) , in my favourite books list and I don't do that lightly. Science meets religion meets quantum physics meets - I don't know what. Utterly fantastic, gripping, mind altering and thought provoking book. So many shocks and gasps and ohmygods . Can't say anymore without giving plot twists away , but I can say ..read it.
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November 10, 2015I gave it the 100 page rule and I'm just not at all interested in this book. It tries to be smart and cutesy and completely is failing.
May 3, 2014
Having read a few reviews of this book, the one phrase that keeps cropping up is ‘mind-bending’. In the interests of originality, I was determined not to use that phrase myself when reviewing this book. So having just finished reading it, how can I best describe it? Well, er, mind-bending. It really, truly is.
All over the world people begin to have hallucinations. They start of being pretty innocuous, people catching glimpses of long dead relatives, that kind of thing. But over time these visions become more powerful, and more real. Groups of people large and small start to share hallucinations collectively. If a group of people all experience the same hallucination, is it actually a hallucination?
The main character in this book is John Macbeth. He is a brilliant psychiatrist who is also involved in a game changing neuroscience project known as ‘Project One’. It will be down to him to unravel the mystery of what is causing the hallucinations and what it all actually means.
I have to say I loved this book. Yes, at times, the science talk went way over my head. There were many discussions between Macbeth and his brother Casey, who is equally as intelligent as Macbeth and who studied physics, astrophysics and quantum mechanics. So I did my best to keep up and always got the gist, if not fully understanding the technical jargon. Although I did use my Kindle’s in built dictionary more times during this book than any other I’ve read!
Where this book really shines is the descriptions of the hallucinations. The opening chapter tells the story of a young girl who suddenly finds herself witnessing the execution of Joan of Arc. That sets the bar for the rest of the book and with each new hallucination described in amazing detail, the bar gets raised each time.
Although my favourite one was a simple experience by a lady called Mary. The chapter describing her hallucination was amazingly moving and beautifully described.
All in all this book is a fantastic read. The chapters are quite short so it’s possible to dip in and out but I would really suggest setting some time aside, grab yourself a cup of tea or glass of wine and immerse yourself in this astonishing story.
All over the world people begin to have hallucinations. They start of being pretty innocuous, people catching glimpses of long dead relatives, that kind of thing. But over time these visions become more powerful, and more real. Groups of people large and small start to share hallucinations collectively. If a group of people all experience the same hallucination, is it actually a hallucination?
The main character in this book is John Macbeth. He is a brilliant psychiatrist who is also involved in a game changing neuroscience project known as ‘Project One’. It will be down to him to unravel the mystery of what is causing the hallucinations and what it all actually means.
I have to say I loved this book. Yes, at times, the science talk went way over my head. There were many discussions between Macbeth and his brother Casey, who is equally as intelligent as Macbeth and who studied physics, astrophysics and quantum mechanics. So I did my best to keep up and always got the gist, if not fully understanding the technical jargon. Although I did use my Kindle’s in built dictionary more times during this book than any other I’ve read!
Where this book really shines is the descriptions of the hallucinations. The opening chapter tells the story of a young girl who suddenly finds herself witnessing the execution of Joan of Arc. That sets the bar for the rest of the book and with each new hallucination described in amazing detail, the bar gets raised each time.
Although my favourite one was a simple experience by a lady called Mary. The chapter describing her hallucination was amazingly moving and beautifully described.
All in all this book is a fantastic read. The chapters are quite short so it’s possible to dip in and out but I would really suggest setting some time aside, grab yourself a cup of tea or glass of wine and immerse yourself in this astonishing story.
December 27, 2015
This is not a 3 star book-
It is a book with a 5 star start- most of it in fact. The first 4/5 are such a great combination of science and theory and exciting events and solid, on-point story telling with nary a hole in sight- impossible to pick apart or put down. But man-oh-man does Galt shit the bed at the end. I want to send someone to look for him becasue the guy who finished the book must be an identity thief.
Now that's just my opinion- but remember the beginning was SO good that I still recommend the book, and maybe you won't be bothered by the things that bothered me- maybe you will be so enraptured- you will get past it, but it aint gonna be easy.
It is a book with a 5 star start- most of it in fact. The first 4/5 are such a great combination of science and theory and exciting events and solid, on-point story telling with nary a hole in sight- impossible to pick apart or put down. But man-oh-man does Galt shit the bed at the end. I want to send someone to look for him becasue the guy who finished the book must be an identity thief.
Now that's just my opinion- but remember the beginning was SO good that I still recommend the book, and maybe you won't be bothered by the things that bothered me- maybe you will be so enraptured- you will get past it, but it aint gonna be easy.
January 31, 2015
Do you love reading about protagonists who can seemingly do no wrong in their world, but are actually incredibly slow and mediocre to the reader?
Do you crave endless conversations between characters who all sound similarly flat and unbelievable?
Do you long for page after page of stilted pseudo-scientific exposition that reads like the author skimmed several paragraphs on Wikipedia?
Do you quiver in ecstasy at the thought of a stilted, unsatisfying conclusion that attempts to seem clever?
I picked this book up because the jacket advertised "an apocalyptic thriller that pits cutting-edge science against God....in the tradition of Michael Crichton and Margaret Atwood." I put it down, 440 pages later, thoroughly unsatisfied. All I can say is that I now appreciate Crichton and Atwood far more by knowing how much greater they are than this tripe.
Oh, and there's a stilted, awkward, unfunny Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference in chapter 50. It seems to be the author crying out "Guys! Guys! Am I cool yet?"
Do you crave endless conversations between characters who all sound similarly flat and unbelievable?
Do you long for page after page of stilted pseudo-scientific exposition that reads like the author skimmed several paragraphs on Wikipedia?
Do you quiver in ecstasy at the thought of a stilted, unsatisfying conclusion that attempts to seem clever?
I picked this book up because the jacket advertised "an apocalyptic thriller that pits cutting-edge science against God....in the tradition of Michael Crichton and Margaret Atwood." I put it down, 440 pages later, thoroughly unsatisfied. All I can say is that I now appreciate Crichton and Atwood far more by knowing how much greater they are than this tripe.
Oh, and there's a stilted, awkward, unfunny Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference in chapter 50. It seems to be the author crying out "Guys! Guys! Am I cool yet?"
April 2, 2014
Когато реалността те изпусне от обятията си…: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
Няма да се извинявам за прямотата си – моля, пренебрегнете всичко, което ви внушава тази корица, и започнете на чисто отношенията си с книгата. “Играта на Макбет” (Biblical в оригинал) на Кристофър Голт (псевдоним) е силен и оригинален технотрилър, който дълбае здраво из човешката психология и механизмите ни на мислене, позициониращ се на ръба на съвременната наука и надничащ една крачка отвъд, към мощта на изкуствения интелект и моментът, в който той ще надскочи възможностите на човешкия мозък. Дори бих казал, че книгата е по-лека версия на “Слепоглед”, така че я препоръчвам на всички, които харесаха тази на Питър Уотс, както и изобщо изкушените в когнитивистиката.
Izdatelstvo ERA
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
Няма да се извинявам за прямотата си – моля, пренебрегнете всичко, което ви внушава тази корица, и започнете на чисто отношенията си с книгата. “Играта на Макбет” (Biblical в оригинал) на Кристофър Голт (псевдоним) е силен и оригинален технотрилър, който дълбае здраво из човешката психология и механизмите ни на мислене, позициониращ се на ръба на съвременната наука и надничащ една крачка отвъд, към мощта на изкуствения интелект и моментът, в който той ще надскочи възможностите на човешкия мозък. Дори бих казал, че книгата е по-лека версия на “Слепоглед”, така че я препоръчвам на всички, които харесаха тази на Питър Уотс, както и изобщо изкушените в когнитивистиката.
Izdatelstvo ERA
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/i...
October 17, 2015
I'm not sure I can even put my thoughts about this book into words. Do I even need to? Do we really exist to read it, or is this book, and you, an elaborate a figment of my own imagination so I can survive in a reality of nothingness? Perhaps you've already read it, but don't know that yet. Oh, That sweet sense of deja vu will never be the same, those lost moments or those things I sometimes glimpse out of the corner of my eye... I can only describe this as 'Inception' meets 'The Matrix' and I'm almost scared to meditate tomorrow in case I go too deep and discover a truth that I might not really want to know. No matter what, the expansive imagination of the human mind is always a wonderous thing - and it hasn't often been realised as brilliantly as it has in this book. Also published as 'The Third Testament' I do highly recommend this if you fancy a bit of a mind-bender!!!
October 18, 2015
Five stars are not enough. This book is epic in scope. Endlessly fascinating. Swirling labyrinths of possibility.
It's reminiscent of Interstellar & The Matrix but goes farther somehow.
This will be with me a long time.
It's reminiscent of Interstellar & The Matrix but goes farther somehow.
This will be with me a long time.
April 24, 2014
The opening scene had me hooked immediately with the depiction of a French teenager finding herself in amongst a crowd of people witnessing the execution of Joan d'Arc. She manages to take a picture of the horrific scene on her phone.
Around the world people are experiencing hallucinations, having feelings of déjà vu, and accidents and mass suicides are occurring on an alarming scale.
It is a time where science is destroying religion as it answers the mysteries and miracles of old.
Macbeth, a psychiatrist involved in a neuroscience project, finds himself hurled into a race against time to uncover the mystery of the phenomena. Is it caused by a virus, or are these visions sent from God as believed by religious leaders and fanatics worldwide? Is the world readying itself for 'The Rapture'?
Christopher Galt's 'Biblical' is a fantastic piece of fiction blending elements of scientific fact and human genetic anomalies. Galt's characters come to life with his empathetic writing style, and the numerous memorable characters are totally plausible and mesmerising. I felt as though I were watching a film, they were so well drawn out. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to each of them as their fate unfolded. Mary Vermont's heart felt tale of her frustration and anguish of suffering from Alzheimer's and the happiness albeit brief of the visions she has was particularly poignant. It was easy to imagine what it must be like to have this awful disease looking through Mary's eyes. Each and every one of Galt's characters has an equally compelling tale to tell and I loved finding out about them all.
Biblical kept me guessing all the way to its mind blowing climax. It is an intelligent, imaginative, addictive, apocalyptic thriller that kept me reading well into the early hours.
Definitely my favourite this year.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.
Around the world people are experiencing hallucinations, having feelings of déjà vu, and accidents and mass suicides are occurring on an alarming scale.
It is a time where science is destroying religion as it answers the mysteries and miracles of old.
Macbeth, a psychiatrist involved in a neuroscience project, finds himself hurled into a race against time to uncover the mystery of the phenomena. Is it caused by a virus, or are these visions sent from God as believed by religious leaders and fanatics worldwide? Is the world readying itself for 'The Rapture'?
Christopher Galt's 'Biblical' is a fantastic piece of fiction blending elements of scientific fact and human genetic anomalies. Galt's characters come to life with his empathetic writing style, and the numerous memorable characters are totally plausible and mesmerising. I felt as though I were watching a film, they were so well drawn out. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to each of them as their fate unfolded. Mary Vermont's heart felt tale of her frustration and anguish of suffering from Alzheimer's and the happiness albeit brief of the visions she has was particularly poignant. It was easy to imagine what it must be like to have this awful disease looking through Mary's eyes. Each and every one of Galt's characters has an equally compelling tale to tell and I loved finding out about them all.
Biblical kept me guessing all the way to its mind blowing climax. It is an intelligent, imaginative, addictive, apocalyptic thriller that kept me reading well into the early hours.
Definitely my favourite this year.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.
December 19, 2015
I read this book because it was Craig Russell, writing as Christopher Galt. I liked Russell’s German and period Glasgow series so I thought that I would give this a go. This is a very diffferent piece of writing. It is a complex, intelligent and large jigsaw of a thriller. It is intricately plotted and global in its reach.
John Macbeth, a psychiatrist, is visiting Boston in the midst of strange occurences. There are mass suicides. There are individual, group and city-wide hallucinations. Only people are physically affected by the hallucinations, as if they were real. There are real deaths and injuries, for example, when a earthquake is hallucinated by all in Boston. These are not isolated incidents, but are global. Religious extremists and fundamentalists are terrorising and bombing scientists. John’s brother, Casey, is murdered in Oxford, where the top scientists in the world are killed by a bomb. Working on a prestigious project in Denmark, John tries to work out what is going on.
In a minor way, there are shades of the Fear Index by Robert Harris to the story. Whilst I was intellectually engaged with the ideas in the book, it failed largely to grip me emotionally. I am glad that I read this book. However, in the future I am going to stick to Craig Russell’s crime fiction series. I prefer them to this type of global disaster thriller.
John Macbeth, a psychiatrist, is visiting Boston in the midst of strange occurences. There are mass suicides. There are individual, group and city-wide hallucinations. Only people are physically affected by the hallucinations, as if they were real. There are real deaths and injuries, for example, when a earthquake is hallucinated by all in Boston. These are not isolated incidents, but are global. Religious extremists and fundamentalists are terrorising and bombing scientists. John’s brother, Casey, is murdered in Oxford, where the top scientists in the world are killed by a bomb. Working on a prestigious project in Denmark, John tries to work out what is going on.
In a minor way, there are shades of the Fear Index by Robert Harris to the story. Whilst I was intellectually engaged with the ideas in the book, it failed largely to grip me emotionally. I am glad that I read this book. However, in the future I am going to stick to Craig Russell’s crime fiction series. I prefer them to this type of global disaster thriller.
November 30, 2015
I try to reserve my 5-star ratings for books I consider to be exceptional. Because of this I hand out a lot of 4-star reviews. I don't finish books I don't enjoy reading and usually I am able to make this determination within the first few chapters. I don't always understand people that use the 1 to 2 star options in their reviews. I am not going to finish a book that I consider worthy of only 1-star.
That said..."Biblical" by Christopher Galt is definitely a book I found to be exceptional. I won't talk much about the plot. The synopsis on the dust jacket is the reason I chose to read "Biblical" and I think it is all you should know before beginning your journey through the world Galt created.
"Biblical" offers a very interesting and at times convincing look into what it means to be a conscious human being floating on a big rock through a universe that we may or may not understand.
That said..."Biblical" by Christopher Galt is definitely a book I found to be exceptional. I won't talk much about the plot. The synopsis on the dust jacket is the reason I chose to read "Biblical" and I think it is all you should know before beginning your journey through the world Galt created.
"Biblical" offers a very interesting and at times convincing look into what it means to be a conscious human being floating on a big rock through a universe that we may or may not understand.
March 3, 2015
It wasn't what I was expecting. It was a very intellectual read which does suck you into this world. I think my aversion to the story was the build up of a variety of characters which supposedly added to the story but I think it took away from the plotline. It reminded me of Sophie's World.
Their are mass hallucinations occurring in the world. There are people who are committing suicide as the world is on the verge of simulated intelligence (not the exact wording of the book). At the center of the story emerges John Macbeth, a psychiatrist who has been experiencing this deja vu otherness that is afflicting the rest of the world. What is it that is creating these disturbing hallucinations? Could it have anything to do with the project that John is working on which would be a working mind?
Definitely an interesting read.
Their are mass hallucinations occurring in the world. There are people who are committing suicide as the world is on the verge of simulated intelligence (not the exact wording of the book). At the center of the story emerges John Macbeth, a psychiatrist who has been experiencing this deja vu otherness that is afflicting the rest of the world. What is it that is creating these disturbing hallucinations? Could it have anything to do with the project that John is working on which would be a working mind?
Definitely an interesting read.
October 9, 2014
This is a real kick in the pants type of book. One of those books that after reading the last page this reader was just slack jawed. For an amazingly deep look at the psychological implications of AI (artificial intelligence) the author kept the book at a very readable level. In 1968 there was an epic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, that dealt with problems of AI. Several authors have tackled this vast field in print as well. I think this would easily stand as one of the best ones I have read. Being very careful not to give anything away I am going to cut this review short at this point. Go get a copy of this book and read it. And if you begin experiencing a sense of deja vu....... Well never mind because at that point it may just be to late.
March 9, 2015
An exciting apocalyptic thriller by a master storyteller, Biblical captured my mind just as was happening to people around the globe. After reading a chapter I would stare off into the distance and study the picture the author had portrayed.
"It all began with the staring." Countless people around the world would see things that those around them couldn't see. Were they visions or some kind of bio-terrorism? There were remarkable and strange accounts from France, San Francisco, New York City, Japan, Berlin, Switzerland, Denmark, Friesland, Gansu Province, Israel, and England. These bizarre stories are alone worth reading this novel for.
Woven together with the main story revolving around research psychiatrist John McBeth who is temporarily back in Boston and witnesses much of the madness, this is a compelling roller-coaster of a read. There is the science/religion conflict, a fundamentalist female U.S. president, seeming fractures in time and a world-wide graffiti campaign. Does John Astor really exist and will reading his fabled book actually make you lose your mind?
So much to admire here. Before I read the epilogue this would have been a glowing five stars. That ending may be fitting, necessary even, but it seemed to diminish all that came before.
"It all began with the staring." Countless people around the world would see things that those around them couldn't see. Were they visions or some kind of bio-terrorism? There were remarkable and strange accounts from France, San Francisco, New York City, Japan, Berlin, Switzerland, Denmark, Friesland, Gansu Province, Israel, and England. These bizarre stories are alone worth reading this novel for.
Woven together with the main story revolving around research psychiatrist John McBeth who is temporarily back in Boston and witnesses much of the madness, this is a compelling roller-coaster of a read. There is the science/religion conflict, a fundamentalist female U.S. president, seeming fractures in time and a world-wide graffiti campaign. Does John Astor really exist and will reading his fabled book actually make you lose your mind?
So much to admire here. Before I read the epilogue this would have been a glowing five stars. That ending may be fitting, necessary even, but it seemed to diminish all that came before.
May 10, 2015
What if our future had already happened?
All around the world, people start to see things that aren't there, that cannot be. Visions, ghosts, events from the past playing out in the present.
To start with, the visions are unremarkable: things misplaced in time and caught out of the corner of the eye; glimpses of long-dead family or friends. But, as time goes on, the visions become more sustained, more vivid, more widespread. More terrifying.
As the visions become truly apocalyptic, some turn to religion, others to science.
Only one man, driven by personal as well as professional reasons, is capable of finding the real truth. But the truth that psychiatrist John Macbeth uncovers is much, much bigger than either religion or science.
A truth so big it could cost him his sanity. And his life.
All around the world, people start to see things that aren't there, that cannot be. Visions, ghosts, events from the past playing out in the present.
To start with, the visions are unremarkable: things misplaced in time and caught out of the corner of the eye; glimpses of long-dead family or friends. But, as time goes on, the visions become more sustained, more vivid, more widespread. More terrifying.
As the visions become truly apocalyptic, some turn to religion, others to science.
Only one man, driven by personal as well as professional reasons, is capable of finding the real truth. But the truth that psychiatrist John Macbeth uncovers is much, much bigger than either religion or science.
A truth so big it could cost him his sanity. And his life.
November 24, 2014
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. All the below opinions are unbiased.
I really liked how thought-provoking this book was. It goes beyond the Matrix level of questioning the physical world versus the world created by the mind. What makes something real? There were many different views discussed and very intelligent conversations.
However, I was extremely disappointed in the lack of a sympathetic religious perspective. The book asks who would win: Science or God? However, all the religious people in the book are either dicks, bigots, or are constantly talked about as holding naïve false views of the world. It really ticked me off that the author either bashed religion or made the characters who are religious into bigots who condoned and practiced mass murders/bombing. Seriously? I have no problem reading an anti-religious book, but if you spend most of the time stating how people who believe in God are simple-minded morons, it clearly shows the writer's bias. This was extremely disappointing. The author researched a lot of clinical and scientific areas. However, he seemed to not care a rip about religion. In fact, he calls the end of the book a time of "religious inquisition" because I guess if you're religious, that means you're against science.
I cannot say I was surprised at the epilogue. I kinda knew that was where things were going. I think the last few lines of the book were very though provoking. Overall, the book is well crafted and suspenseful.
However, there was no sympathy towards people who believe in God. When the author has some characters share a vision of Moses parting the Red Sea. I thought, "okay, the author is making room that perhaps the miracles of the Bible did happen." But in subsequent chapters, the author even slaps away the truth of Moses miracle and chalks it up to the weather. At that point, I felt the author let his personal beliefs override the storytelling. Almost all of Jesus' disciples died wretched and extremely torturous death. You can't give an inch, Mr. "Pseudo" Galt, that there might be a little truth to their beliefs? Look it up: crucifixion, boiled in oil, all fun stuff just because they would not give up their belief in Jesus and what they saw. Miracles are more than just science. And believing in religion does not make you believe that science is "magic." While the main character may have believed this, and his brother, and his colleagues, there's wasn't room for one person to make him think more deeply on the subject? He has to swallow a lot in the last chapters. Not one vote for religious people being nice and perhaps not complete idiots?
I think the book was well-written, concepts well-described, and was a page-turning adventure. However, the author himself let his personal beliefs get in the way at times.
I really liked how thought-provoking this book was. It goes beyond the Matrix level of questioning the physical world versus the world created by the mind. What makes something real? There were many different views discussed and very intelligent conversations.
However, I was extremely disappointed in the lack of a sympathetic religious perspective. The book asks who would win: Science or God? However, all the religious people in the book are either dicks, bigots, or are constantly talked about as holding naïve false views of the world. It really ticked me off that the author either bashed religion or made the characters who are religious into bigots who condoned and practiced mass murders/bombing. Seriously? I have no problem reading an anti-religious book, but if you spend most of the time stating how people who believe in God are simple-minded morons, it clearly shows the writer's bias. This was extremely disappointing. The author researched a lot of clinical and scientific areas. However, he seemed to not care a rip about religion. In fact, he calls the end of the book a time of "religious inquisition" because I guess if you're religious, that means you're against science.
I cannot say I was surprised at the epilogue. I kinda knew that was where things were going. I think the last few lines of the book were very though provoking. Overall, the book is well crafted and suspenseful.
However, there was no sympathy towards people who believe in God. When the author has some characters share a vision of Moses parting the Red Sea. I thought, "okay, the author is making room that perhaps the miracles of the Bible did happen." But in subsequent chapters, the author even slaps away the truth of Moses miracle and chalks it up to the weather. At that point, I felt the author let his personal beliefs override the storytelling. Almost all of Jesus' disciples died wretched and extremely torturous death. You can't give an inch, Mr. "Pseudo" Galt, that there might be a little truth to their beliefs? Look it up: crucifixion, boiled in oil, all fun stuff just because they would not give up their belief in Jesus and what they saw. Miracles are more than just science. And believing in religion does not make you believe that science is "magic." While the main character may have believed this, and his brother, and his colleagues, there's wasn't room for one person to make him think more deeply on the subject? He has to swallow a lot in the last chapters. Not one vote for religious people being nice and perhaps not complete idiots?
I think the book was well-written, concepts well-described, and was a page-turning adventure. However, the author himself let his personal beliefs get in the way at times.
August 8, 2014
this isn't a review as I don't think I have the words to really give this book the justice it deserves, also this book had so much in it, that I couldn't possibly begin to explain the plot/story and the characters and somehow wrap it all up coherently enough for you guys and girls to understand. This is a book that I need to read again, and take serious notes on in order for me to do a full in depth review. What I know about Biblical is that it's smart... the author has clearly done his research on different theories, philosphers etc etc it was like reading a Descarte paper only in story form and less tedious. The book was riveting and literally on the edge of your seat, at points I had to put the book down take a deep breath and really try and soak in what I was reading. What I largely felt though while reading this book was a shift, the book of my book it reads something along the lines of 'it will make you think about why your alive' or something along those lines (I don't have the book to quote atm my apologies) and I can honestly say that it did, I put the book down and really had a long think about how plausible this was, and how terrifying it would be if what occured in Biblical was indeed the case now in the world we live in, and I don't think a book has ever quite managed to do that, I felt like I was reading something BIG something that was above your run of the mill enjoyable read.
The terryfing fact is that the philosphers, the theories are all real, its not made up this book includes theories that are going on now and people believe, so there is always that possibility somewhere deep down! Don't get wrong even I couldn't wrap my head around it all in one read, parts I got some I had to do some research, and once I have let my partner read this book I plan on doing another read to see if I can fill in the gaps. This book is so complex and I can't help but urge people who have even the slightest interest in philosophy, quantam physics even religion itself. It really captures and shows what people would turn to if they thought the end was coming, some religion, some science and how we can't really definitively prove either. As I say this isn't a review but wanted to reccomend to anyone and everyone who has an interest in the things I just commented on, you will not regret a single page!
The terryfing fact is that the philosphers, the theories are all real, its not made up this book includes theories that are going on now and people believe, so there is always that possibility somewhere deep down! Don't get wrong even I couldn't wrap my head around it all in one read, parts I got some I had to do some research, and once I have let my partner read this book I plan on doing another read to see if I can fill in the gaps. This book is so complex and I can't help but urge people who have even the slightest interest in philosophy, quantam physics even religion itself. It really captures and shows what people would turn to if they thought the end was coming, some religion, some science and how we can't really definitively prove either. As I say this isn't a review but wanted to reccomend to anyone and everyone who has an interest in the things I just commented on, you will not regret a single page!
September 28, 2015
Wow - this one is top-notch. It's rare to come across a genuinely new concept, or way of looking at things, but "Christopher Galt" has accomplished just that.
The book follows the stories of a number of people across the world, as the understanding of their realities starts to come apart. Its genius is in the way the author takes a common experience - like deja vu for instance, or that feeling that you're just not totally 'there' or in touch with reality - and extracts a whole new layer of understanding and explanation for those experiences.
Biblical makes you look at a lot of the technological advances that are occurring right now, and the interplay between those advances and the values that our culture(s) hold as truths, in a very different light.
I initially thought this was going to be another assault on Christianity, and it's obvious the author doesn't believe, but even us firm believers will come away unshaken, with much to think about.
I'm impressed - especially since the author, whose real name is Craig Russell, has only written mystery novels before. Maybe it's time to see how those are, too!
The book follows the stories of a number of people across the world, as the understanding of their realities starts to come apart. Its genius is in the way the author takes a common experience - like deja vu for instance, or that feeling that you're just not totally 'there' or in touch with reality - and extracts a whole new layer of understanding and explanation for those experiences.
Biblical makes you look at a lot of the technological advances that are occurring right now, and the interplay between those advances and the values that our culture(s) hold as truths, in a very different light.
I initially thought this was going to be another assault on Christianity, and it's obvious the author doesn't believe, but even us firm believers will come away unshaken, with much to think about.
I'm impressed - especially since the author, whose real name is Craig Russell, has only written mystery novels before. Maybe it's time to see how those are, too!
July 8, 2015
People all around the world are experiencing visions of the past. Does it mean the end is near? The visions lead some people to commit suicide, some others to commit murder. The visions cause a lot of traffic accidents. The sticky situation may be the result of psychiatrist, John Macbeth’s project to create artificial intelligence. Macbeth will have to decide whether to destroy his life’s work for mankind’s sake.
That’s the Biblical premise Galt lays out in the first 400 pages. We see vision after vision after vision in exacting detail through a multitude of characters, many of whom ultimately do not figure in the plot. The sci-fi-creepy vignettes are imaginative and well written, but awfully redundant. If the setup had been cut in half and limited to characters in Macbeth’s immediate circle, it would have been a brisker, more pleasant read. But it wasn’t so slow that I gave up, and in the very end Galt delivers a nicely-played if not terribly original twist.
That’s the Biblical premise Galt lays out in the first 400 pages. We see vision after vision after vision in exacting detail through a multitude of characters, many of whom ultimately do not figure in the plot. The sci-fi-creepy vignettes are imaginative and well written, but awfully redundant. If the setup had been cut in half and limited to characters in Macbeth’s immediate circle, it would have been a brisker, more pleasant read. But it wasn’t so slow that I gave up, and in the very end Galt delivers a nicely-played if not terribly original twist.
February 20, 2016
Apprezzabile lo sforzo narrativo dell'autore che avrebbe potuto, però, utilizzare di più l'operazione che nella regola del P.O.R.C.O corrisponde all'omissione.
Prolisso e ridondante, anche se nella descrizione delle allucinazioni storiche l'autore un po' si riscatta. Per dirla franca: un centinaio di pagine in meno ed eravamo tutti più contenti.
La storia è originale -distopica, oggetto Intelligenza Artificiale-, il finale pure, i riferimenti scientifici un po' approssimativi, così come la definizione dei personaggi che a volte entrano e scompaiono senza capire bene fino in fondo il loro ruolo nell'intreccio narrativo.
Senza infamia né lode. Forse qualcuno prima o poi ci farà un film che, caso raro, potrebbe essere di gran lunga migliore del libro.
Prolisso e ridondante, anche se nella descrizione delle allucinazioni storiche l'autore un po' si riscatta. Per dirla franca: un centinaio di pagine in meno ed eravamo tutti più contenti.
La storia è originale -distopica, oggetto Intelligenza Artificiale-, il finale pure, i riferimenti scientifici un po' approssimativi, così come la definizione dei personaggi che a volte entrano e scompaiono senza capire bene fino in fondo il loro ruolo nell'intreccio narrativo.
Senza infamia né lode. Forse qualcuno prima o poi ci farà un film che, caso raro, potrebbe essere di gran lunga migliore del libro.
January 4, 2015
This may be one of the best books I've ever read. The mind bending, though altering, existence questioning, insanity of this book is utterly incredible. Seemingly every page I read I felt myself in awe that this all could be possible. This book absolutely blew my mind and I think everyone should read it.
Or maybe, since it's possible that I am the only actual member of my universe, and everyone reading this is me but an alternate identity of me created in my universal simulation, then everyone has read this book. And in fact, I wrote it.
Just chew on that for a while and read this book and don't stop until your done and then have to deal with the myriad of questions about your own existence and the nature of reality
Or maybe, since it's possible that I am the only actual member of my universe, and everyone reading this is me but an alternate identity of me created in my universal simulation, then everyone has read this book. And in fact, I wrote it.
Just chew on that for a while and read this book and don't stop until your done and then have to deal with the myriad of questions about your own existence and the nature of reality
December 29, 2014
“Biblical” is a page-turning apocalyptic adventure in which people around the world are experiencing strange, inexplicable hallucinations.
Inundated with page after page of scientific commentary meant to offer explanations, readers are likely to find it difficult to care about the characters in this rather convoluted tale.
Although “Biblical” is meant to be thought-provoking, the outcome is predictable and the derogatory references to religion may ultimately serve to alienate readers who value their faith. Despite a truly inventive premise, in the end “Biblical” is a disappointment.
Inundated with page after page of scientific commentary meant to offer explanations, readers are likely to find it difficult to care about the characters in this rather convoluted tale.
Although “Biblical” is meant to be thought-provoking, the outcome is predictable and the derogatory references to religion may ultimately serve to alienate readers who value their faith. Despite a truly inventive premise, in the end “Biblical” is a disappointment.
February 2, 2015
Well 4/5 stars really ...what a ride !! A completely different and complex story making me wonder what is actually real or not. I love the quantum aspects and the thought provoking reality checks and never actually guessed where the book was going ..the ending was superb and unexpected for me and not a let down as happens in a lot of books, I wanted to know what was going to happen and where it would actually end... A great thriller / SF read and would well recommend.
November 4, 2014
One of the most compelling books I've read in a while. It had so many twists and turns. The ending was a surprise. Definitely a book worthy of becoming a movie. Highly recommended!
December 19, 2018
Muy interesante planteamiento, correcto nudo, pero no terminé de conectar con la complicada resolución. Tres testamentos = tres estrellas.
November 28, 2015
An interesting twist at looking at reality....
January 26, 2021
Pretty good. Twisted ending, mind-bending. The religious extremism described through the book is... hard to swallow. You have been warned.
May 30, 2014
Biblical by Christopher Galt
Publisher: Pan Macmillan (Quercus)
Thriller / Suspense RRP: $29.99
ISBN: TPB 9781780874814
Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield
WARNING: This book will change the way you view reality.
Biblical is a work of fiction. Ot is it? (Cue Twilight Zone music.)
Around the world something strange has begun. Individually and in groups, people are seeing what’s not there: In France, a school girl is apparently transported back in time to witness the burning of Jeanne d’Arc; in Germany, Markus is confronted with the horror of Hitler’s concentration camps and in Israel a group of soldiers stands transfixed as the Red Sea parts. Psychiatrist, John Macbeth, a man with a somewhat vacant past, is drawn into the heart of the anomaly while visiting Boston on business. His interest is compounded when he is involved in a mass hallucinary earthquake, which mimics an event from 1775. Could these episodes be the result of a virus, or is something more monumental—perhaps even biblical—going on?
‘The thing about the remarkable and the extraordinary is that if they are part of your everyday life, they become by definition unremarkable and ordinary.’
I would categorise Biblical as, historical surrealistic science fiction—or better yet, philosophical science fiction. However, it crosses almost every genre. Galt (the pseudonym of a mysterious best-selling crime fiction author) is clearly a master storyteller. He hasn’t simply grabbed an idea and run with it. The amount of research that has gone into the book is mind-numbing—and it’s detailed: Viking history, the holocaust and the complexities of quantum physics just to name a few.
The construction of the story is interesting, too. Main character, Macbeth’s viewpoint is interspersed with chapters from the viewpoints of several other characters, many of whom are so well constructed that their experiences could easily stand alone as short stories. One such example is Mary:
‘When it was over, when the déjà vu subsided, the day darkened and the world—and her reflection in the mirror—restored itself to the present. Mary sat in the living room and thought about what had happened. She didn’t try to make sense of it, just thought about the experience itself. The wonder of it.’
It isn’t often I come away from a reading experience as thoroughly satisfied as I did from this one. My only complaint, if I were to have one, would be the title. While I understand why Biblical was chosen for this work, I don’t feel it does the story justice—and it may put some readers off. Biblical is one of those words that has been so over-used it’s lost its impact—so much so it is almost a parody. It implies a Da Vinci Code style adventure, a myth-based fiction involving despicable clerics in midnight pursuits. Now, I mean no disrespect to, The Da Vinci Code and its ilk, whatsoever, but it must be said that Biblical offers far more than a crackpot code. The science Galt has used to justify his fiction is absolute, and the history is valid and well documented. Biblical isn’t just entertainment, it’s a philosophical study and all-round learning experience. Oh, and did I mention the ending? Where so many authors tend to coast to a stop after the grand finale, Galt has saved the best for last. And on that note I will leave you with the words of the elusive John Astor:
‘Whether it was in the name of God or science that you devoted yourself to seeking out the Truth, the danger always was that you would find it.’
From: Phantoms of Our Own Making
Publisher: Pan Macmillan (Quercus)
Thriller / Suspense RRP: $29.99
ISBN: TPB 9781780874814
Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield
WARNING: This book will change the way you view reality.
Biblical is a work of fiction. Ot is it? (Cue Twilight Zone music.)
Around the world something strange has begun. Individually and in groups, people are seeing what’s not there: In France, a school girl is apparently transported back in time to witness the burning of Jeanne d’Arc; in Germany, Markus is confronted with the horror of Hitler’s concentration camps and in Israel a group of soldiers stands transfixed as the Red Sea parts. Psychiatrist, John Macbeth, a man with a somewhat vacant past, is drawn into the heart of the anomaly while visiting Boston on business. His interest is compounded when he is involved in a mass hallucinary earthquake, which mimics an event from 1775. Could these episodes be the result of a virus, or is something more monumental—perhaps even biblical—going on?
‘The thing about the remarkable and the extraordinary is that if they are part of your everyday life, they become by definition unremarkable and ordinary.’
I would categorise Biblical as, historical surrealistic science fiction—or better yet, philosophical science fiction. However, it crosses almost every genre. Galt (the pseudonym of a mysterious best-selling crime fiction author) is clearly a master storyteller. He hasn’t simply grabbed an idea and run with it. The amount of research that has gone into the book is mind-numbing—and it’s detailed: Viking history, the holocaust and the complexities of quantum physics just to name a few.
The construction of the story is interesting, too. Main character, Macbeth’s viewpoint is interspersed with chapters from the viewpoints of several other characters, many of whom are so well constructed that their experiences could easily stand alone as short stories. One such example is Mary:
‘When it was over, when the déjà vu subsided, the day darkened and the world—and her reflection in the mirror—restored itself to the present. Mary sat in the living room and thought about what had happened. She didn’t try to make sense of it, just thought about the experience itself. The wonder of it.’
It isn’t often I come away from a reading experience as thoroughly satisfied as I did from this one. My only complaint, if I were to have one, would be the title. While I understand why Biblical was chosen for this work, I don’t feel it does the story justice—and it may put some readers off. Biblical is one of those words that has been so over-used it’s lost its impact—so much so it is almost a parody. It implies a Da Vinci Code style adventure, a myth-based fiction involving despicable clerics in midnight pursuits. Now, I mean no disrespect to, The Da Vinci Code and its ilk, whatsoever, but it must be said that Biblical offers far more than a crackpot code. The science Galt has used to justify his fiction is absolute, and the history is valid and well documented. Biblical isn’t just entertainment, it’s a philosophical study and all-round learning experience. Oh, and did I mention the ending? Where so many authors tend to coast to a stop after the grand finale, Galt has saved the best for last. And on that note I will leave you with the words of the elusive John Astor:
‘Whether it was in the name of God or science that you devoted yourself to seeking out the Truth, the danger always was that you would find it.’
From: Phantoms of Our Own Making
June 9, 2018
Sci-fi with philosophical questions posed and discussed on the pages and in my own head.
The science bits of the sci-fi come from so many different areas that there must be something interesting in it for everybody . (It's a good thing. No reason for eye brow gymnastics.)
During the reading the thought pops into my head several times whether or not it's safe to fall in love with the book. Because something this good can't last. The next page or the next - or the end - has to disappoint horribly and then where will I go with my disappointment?
But... incredibly it never fell off the cliff. There was no disappointment. And I wish I had allowed myself the passion that wanted to grow. Well. I'll have to read it again. The details, the science, and the ending merit a re-read, anyway.
What I liked most was - the ending :D
Second: that it made me jump on wikipedia to look up stuff.
3rd: The character MacBeth and his intriguing personality disorder.
Other reviewers stated they didn't "care for" MacBeth or that there was too little character development. I can see where they come from with that reading experience. But MacBeth has no intimate relationship with his autobiographical memory. Memory impairment always means a loss of self, or a reduced sense of self. And I can understand that a self-reduced character isn't touching a reader in the usual places.
I took it as a challenge and empathically very much enjoyed the descriptions of how it feels for MacBeth. A broadened horizon I got from it. I never get that from novels where character development is lacking...
4th: the poetic tickle in "folding time".
a propos poetic: I read the German translation which is far from poetic. Not horrible. But not poetic, either. Would like to compare it with the original.
After I finished the book I wondered whether the author can ever write another novel after this firework. Much like not daring to fall in love with the story for fear of disappointment - and then be proven wrong again and again? I was convinced that Galt couldn't throw the stone as far a second time round.
And then I heard of Craig Russell and his 2 crime series. I had to find out what they are like so started with "Brother Grimm", the 2nd in the Jan Fabel series, playing in Hamburg. Again in German translation. The translation is somehow mechanical. Not bad. Not like an automated translation at all. But there's no organic language flow? No rhythm, no rounded personal "thesaurus tree" the words are picked from.
Again, I'll have to read an original to see whether that is Russell or the translation.
The plot and story are really different from Biblical; the science bits, so opulent in Biblical, don't appear anywhere. But they're not missed here. Jan Fabel isn't the guy MacBeth is.
I scrolled over the many, but thankfully short paragraphs where Russell describes some Hamburg icon or a suburban street. They don't add to the story, they're not poetic mirrors of a character's soul. I deem them gratuitous. But hey. That book was only Russell's 2nd publication and it was written in 2006.
So, to sum up the experience of Russell's Grimm vs Galt's Biblical: both are recommendable.
Galt's novel is exceptional.
And it can not be compared at all with the "entity" which Russell has created with his Hamburg crime novel series.
The science bits of the sci-fi come from so many different areas that there must be something interesting in it for everybody . (It's a good thing. No reason for eye brow gymnastics.)
During the reading the thought pops into my head several times whether or not it's safe to fall in love with the book. Because something this good can't last. The next page or the next - or the end - has to disappoint horribly and then where will I go with my disappointment?
But... incredibly it never fell off the cliff. There was no disappointment. And I wish I had allowed myself the passion that wanted to grow. Well. I'll have to read it again. The details, the science, and the ending merit a re-read, anyway.
What I liked most was - the ending :D
Second: that it made me jump on wikipedia to look up stuff.
3rd: The character MacBeth and his intriguing personality disorder.
Other reviewers stated they didn't "care for" MacBeth or that there was too little character development. I can see where they come from with that reading experience. But MacBeth has no intimate relationship with his autobiographical memory. Memory impairment always means a loss of self, or a reduced sense of self. And I can understand that a self-reduced character isn't touching a reader in the usual places.
I took it as a challenge and empathically very much enjoyed the descriptions of how it feels for MacBeth. A broadened horizon I got from it. I never get that from novels where character development is lacking...
4th: the poetic tickle in "folding time".
a propos poetic: I read the German translation which is far from poetic. Not horrible. But not poetic, either. Would like to compare it with the original.
After I finished the book I wondered whether the author can ever write another novel after this firework. Much like not daring to fall in love with the story for fear of disappointment - and then be proven wrong again and again? I was convinced that Galt couldn't throw the stone as far a second time round.
And then I heard of Craig Russell and his 2 crime series. I had to find out what they are like so started with "Brother Grimm", the 2nd in the Jan Fabel series, playing in Hamburg. Again in German translation. The translation is somehow mechanical. Not bad. Not like an automated translation at all. But there's no organic language flow? No rhythm, no rounded personal "thesaurus tree" the words are picked from.
Again, I'll have to read an original to see whether that is Russell or the translation.
The plot and story are really different from Biblical; the science bits, so opulent in Biblical, don't appear anywhere. But they're not missed here. Jan Fabel isn't the guy MacBeth is.
I scrolled over the many, but thankfully short paragraphs where Russell describes some Hamburg icon or a suburban street. They don't add to the story, they're not poetic mirrors of a character's soul. I deem them gratuitous. But hey. That book was only Russell's 2nd publication and it was written in 2006.
So, to sum up the experience of Russell's Grimm vs Galt's Biblical: both are recommendable.
Galt's novel is exceptional.
And it can not be compared at all with the "entity" which Russell has created with his Hamburg crime novel series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews