Madman

by Tracy Groot

If there is a way into madness, logic says there is a way out. Logic says. Tallis, a philosopher's servant, is sent to a Greek academy in Palestine only to discover that it has silently, ominously, disappeared. No one will tell him what happened, but he learns what has become of four of its scholars. One was murdered. One committed suicide. One worships in the temple of Dionysus. And one . . . one is a madman. From the author of The Brother's Keeper comes a tale of mystery, horror, and hope in the midst of unimaginable darkness, the story behind the Geresene demoniac of the gospels of Mark and Luke.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Historical

316 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Tracy Groot is the critically acclaimed and Christy Award–winning author of several works of historical fiction. Her books have received starred Booklist and Publishers Weekly reviews and have been called "beautifully written" and "page-turning" by Publishers Weekly, and "gripping" with "exquisitely drawn" characters by Library Journal.

Tracy and her husband have three grown sons and a daughter-in-law and enjoy board games, warm vacations, any kind of travel, Detroit Lions football, foodie experiences, and most anything that gives them time together.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an interesting read there just wasn't enough Jesus in it. If it wasn't for Jesus Tracy Groot wouldn't even have the source to write from. We wouldn't even know about the demoniac. There was more creepiness in it than I am used to so I felt creeped out the whole time while reading it. Just a weird place and I wasn't saying "ahhh - what a great book" after finishing it. The one thing I will say that is very positive is that I never gave thought to the idea that the storm that Jesus and His disciples encountered on the sea was all to keep Jesus away from the demoniac. I thought it was more a less for the disciples, not unseen forces feeling the presence of God coming closer. Gives new insight on the "storms" each of us face in life. Could we, as carriers of His presence, be drawing closer to the enemy of God and they don't want us coming closer to ours or someone else's freedom?

[A.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Madman" is a historical novel that tells the imagined backstory of the two demon possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes from the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is the third novel from Tracy Groot.

Tallis is a young Athenian scholar and servant. Eight years ago his master helped found a new academy, staffed by a group of brilliant scholars across the Sea of Gallilee. When his master asks Tallis to visit the school he believes it wiil be a quick trip, nothing more than a week long assignment to gather information from the scholars and visit the academy.

Soon after his arrival he realizes the academy was disbanded three years ago, most of the scholars are missing, some are dead, and someone has been forging reports about the school to his master during that time. Tallis' search for the truth ultimately threatens his life, challenges his philosophy, and forces him to encounter an unbelievable evil - demon possession.

I highly recommend Madman to anyone who is a fan of both literary fiction and suspense novels. At times I was engrossed by Groot's prose, lost inside word pictures that elegantly painted a portrait of the ancient Roman world - while at other moments I was flipping pages so fast I nearly ripped them from the binding!

Imagine the lyricism of John Grisham's "A Painted House" mixed with the adrenaline of Ted Dekker's "Obsessed" and you'll get an idea of "Madman".

Groot also avoids Christian fiction cliches and tells her story largely from the perspective of non-believers. The story of redemption is told with equal parts tact and forthrightness. The characters wrestle with the reality of good, evil, and the human responsibility to choose. Though Jesus Christ appears in "Madman" he is not the focal character, nor is he unrealistically portrayed as the Santa Claus answer to everyone's problems.

Though "Madman" may be considered too slow by many fans of spiritual warfare chillers, or too intense by some historical fiction readers, for my money it's the best of both worlds.

"Quandocumque impellunt, repelle - solum Jesu."

[Ben Swingle]

Certainly my favorite novel from Dr. de Rosset's Monsters Literature course at MBI. The psychological thriller translates the biblical narrative of Matt. 8, Mark 5, and Luke 8 to historical fiction producing a critique of secular demands for immediate problem solving and denial of unmanageable evil.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to review a book of this sort, because while I found that the characters themselves were not as compelling as I had hoped; I did enjoy the story.
This story has a well-written, wordy but beautiful style that seems to pay homage to the older Gothic fiction titles such as Frankenstein (and actually handling similar themes too), as well as a really moving end.
In the end, while I appreciated the story for what it was, I had hoped that is was going to be a bit more?
So while I rated it four stars, it is more of a 3 1/2 rating in my book and despite having a slower moving story than I originally expected, I still will be talking about and thinking about this book for years to come.

[rita 🐊 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont think any time i could give to think about a proper review for this book would suffice, and i dont think i could ever say everything i think about its contents, because there are simply too many.

all i can say is that its definitely a fresh spot on my favourites shelf

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book for my kindle because it wasn't available at my library. I have gone back and forth between giving it three and four stars. There are things I really like about it. It's better than many three-star books I've read. Typically, I'd recommend all four-star books. I'm not sure I'd recommend this. It's thought provoking, true. But it's also disturbing. It's not always paced well. I fell asleep while reading it a few times. So, I think I'm going to give it three.

I agree with another reviewer, there isn't a lot of Jesus in this book. I'm sort of okay with that because the story is mainly about Tallis. It's also about Kardus (the madman), and Kes (his sister) among others. The book frequently switches points of view, but it's always clear whose point of view it is. I like that Kardus calls Jesus "Across the Sea." Most of the main characters don't know or even meet Jesus, but they see the miracle of one of his works. I think the parts from Kardus's point of view are particularly interesting. It's as much his story as Tallis's.

I like these quotes from Samir the strongest, wisest, most stable character:

"The first truth: You can choose. The second truth: You cannot choose for another."

Also, he says, "You cannot help Kardus until you help yourself. We do our best for others by always choosing the good for ourselves. It starts there. Flows out in ripples, like a stone dropped in a pond. Our choice for good will always aid another. Always! We may not see it, it may not be ours to see. Not in this life."

I have worried so much for the souls of loved ones. I love that we can choose. I absolutely advocate for agency. I surrender to the reality that I can't choose for others. At times I have felt led to improve my own life as a way to help people I love.

I like when Samir eventually asks Tallis, "Who is Jesus?"

"Why, Samir-- don't you know? He is the Third Truth," answers Tallis.

This is one of the only books of biblical fiction I've read. Maybe I do really like it. I think I'll change my rating back to four stars after all.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this book up off the shelf I took one look at the cover and thought to myself, "Madman???!!!" But oh, how surprised I was!! One of the most emotionally gripping books I think I've ever read! From the very beginning I found myself at the edge of my seat, waiting, for the redemption in the end that I knew Christ alone could give to this man, suffering from his own dreadful sins.
Though a wonderful book, I have to say I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 16 years of age, since it is a more mature (and at times gruesome) storyline.

I can do no more than say, "Read it!!" :)

Here's what he publisher said about it:

"If there is a way into madness, logic says there is a way out. Logic says.

Tallis, a philosopher's servant, is sent to a Greek academy in Palestine only to discover that it has silently, ominously, disappeared. No one will tell him what happened, but he learns what has become of four of its scholars. One was murdered. One committed suicide. One worships in the temple of Dionysus. And one & one is a madman.

From the author of The Brother's Keeper comes a tale of mystery, horror, and hope in the midst of unimaginable darkness, the story behind the Geresene demoniac of the gospels of Mark and Luke."

[Lynn Coullard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was riveting and amazing and intense and beautiful. It was vaguely terrifying, which made the climax that much more astounding. It’s this kind of excellent storytelling that we need to help us visualize what the stories in the Gospels could really have been like, and to help us see how Jesus is doing these same astounding things on the grounds of our own hearts. Absolutely a wonderful book.

[Suellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up all night reading this book. It's 3 A.M. and I just couldn't put it down. It was slow in parts but never slow enough to make me want to put it down. The language was beautiful, almost poetic, and the imagery was fantastic. Overall, this was a surprising five-star read.

[Becka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected much of this story to come from the perspective of the “madman”. The fact that it didn’t allowed for a much richer story to be told. Such a fascinating book!

[Christian Cha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the theme of pride is portrayed in this book. So captivating and would highly recommend (even if you hate philosophy, like me)

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nuanced, riveting, and thoughtful storytelling.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's well written Christian fiction based on the biblical story of the madman from Geresenes. The Greco-Roman culture that she uses as the setting is well researched and enlightening. The plot keeps the reader raising questions in his/her mind in an attempt to solve the mystery which the main charater is striving to find.

From a philosophic perspective (which is definitely more my bent), the book pits two different worldviews/philosophies against each other: that of the enlightenment characterised by reason and that of Christianity. Throughout the book, you come to see the failure of reason to prove victoriously helpful, largely because of a failure to take into account the spiritual realm. The story beautifully depicts the power of God in Christ to set us free from emotional/psychological/spiritual death and will open your eyes to see the biblical story of the madman in ways that you have never imagined, yet at the same time completely in line with biblical account!

One word of caution to the squeemish readers. There are some graphic descriptions of violence in a few portions of the book that could make the book intolerable. The violence does help to enhance the plot and in my opinion is necessary to create the tension in reader required for the story, but could be difficult for some to stomach.

[Lighthearted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tallis, an Athenian servant, has been sent to visit the Palestinian school his master has been supporting financially for the past few years. To his surprise, he discovers that the school is no longer in existence; to his dismay, he finds that no one wants to acknowledge it ever existed. Through persistence, he’s able to learn that one of the former teachers was murdered, one committed suicide, one now worships in the temple of Dionysus, six are missing or in hiding, and one has become a madman.

It’s not obvious until the last few pages, but Groot takes a familiar account and provides a rich context; the Gerasene demoniac is no longer just a character, he’s a man with a complete story of his own. The story alternates between Kardus’ inner torment and Tallis’ quest to piece together what happened—it’s captivating. Madman is a well-paced, well-written historical novel. Highly recommended!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of most contemporary Christian fiction as it is not usually very well written, and Madman certainly had its technical issues. However, the premise (the imagined back story of the man in the Bible whose evil spirits caused a herd of pigs to run off a cliff when Jesus cast them out of him) was really interesting--fresh, creative and cleverly developed. The book is really about what caused the man to become possessed in the first place and is told from a third person point of view by an outsider from Rome. It's engaging and just a very different way of looking at that well-known event from the Bible. There were parts I rushed through because they became tedious and repetitious ( I have yet to understand why budding authors are apparently of the opinion that the longer one drags out and repeats a point, the better), but I still think this book was worth the time it took to read it.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing, touching story based on the demoniac in the graveyard that Jesus exorcised. Tracy Groot writes almost poetically in her descriptions that make you see clearly & feel the exact emotion she is trying to convey. I also loved how there were at least 3 different stories going on that were entertwined like a grapevine that flowed easily in & out from one another & eventually met up as one in the end.

[Darlene Bocek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of my favorite books. I read this enthralled by the story, but mostly by the anticipation that kept building for what I knew, from the Bible, was going to happen--Jesus was coming. Jesus was going to save him. The worse things got, the more thrilled I was for that very thing. Tracy Groot is one of my favorite authors, and this was the one that started it all for me.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this book 50 pages and had to throw in the towel. This book has absolutely nothing going for it. The writer repeated phrases often, had the main character write a letter and then provided the backstory to explain the same facts the letter contained in a way that didn’t add anything to the tale, and did nothing to gather my interest.

[Cindy Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting study of the madman from the Gerasene country. A novel of what may have led to his madness and how encountering Jesus transformed and healed him.

[Bert van der Vaart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting historical novel examining Jesus' healing of the Gerasene madman/demoniac. Groot describes the events coming from the perspective of a Greek trained philosopher, who is coming to the Palestinian town of Hippo to investigate the strange failure of a philosophical academy that had been sponsored and funded from Athens. The agent from Athens (Tallis) begins his investigation--what happened to the selected teachers of the academy? why were requests coming for money years after the academy in fact shut down?

Tallis--whose own religious background was the Greek pantheon of gods, and more specifically, whose mother was a Maenad--serving Dionysos--and who as a young boy saw his mother and "fellow priestesses" of the Dionysian cult tear apart his younger brother as part of their Bacchanalia--senses the presence of Evil. He hears about one of the teachers being in the tombs over the city and neighboring the Sea of Galilee--and visits him, not only becoming aware of the agony and self-destructive nature of the demoniac (Kardus), but also of the eerie, mad voices trying to get Tallis to invite these voices in. He is even more aware of his weakness to make a change in Kardus' condition when Polonus, another senior teacher from the erstwhile academy and who has studied what he believes are the way to "save" Kardus, himself becomes defeated and under the influence of the spirits.

Through interaction with others touched by these developments, Tallis gradually becomes aware that there are limits to rational philosophical analysis ("logic dictates that if there is a way into madness, then there must be a way out", or to systematic scientific analysis as Polonus has devoted 3 years of his life sought to do--only to succumb to the evil spirits himself. For Polonus, the "lure to knowledge was greater than ... a small cry of warning" and he fell.

Tallis realizes "we are trying to save a drowning man but do not know how to swim."

Through a discussion with a spiritually string slave, Samir, Tallis hears Samir's 2 truths:
1) you can always choose, and making a good choice is hard work. But without choice there can be no love; and
2) you can choose for yourself, but not for others. Rather, they will more likely be influenced by seeing the choices and the effects of choosing for yourself. Like the ripples from a stone throne in the pond.

To that, there is the call to choose and believe in the Great Good.

Written with a page turning plot, the good guys slowly win, until Jesus arrives in a small boat from the other side of the Sea, and the demons--who famously are "legion" ask to be cast out into a herd of swine and Kardus "comes into his own face", as does Polonus.

Despite some dropped strands and unclear character changes (why exactly does Arinna decide to take the young boy away from the Maenads and leave the cult just before their bacchanalia?), Groot has written a provocative and sophisticated book leading to the realization that we cannot do it all ourselves and need connection with the Great Good which is God.

well worth reading.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lead a combo Bible study/book club at my church. Our Faith And Fiction group was concentrating on the healing miracles of Jesus and chose Madman by Tracy Groot as the complimentary novel. The book is based on the Biblical account of the Gerasene demoniac. While the book received mixed reviews from the members of the study, I found it a challenging and viewpoint-expanding read. Complex in structure as well as characterization, Madman is a book that must be read slowly to experience all that it has to offer. It is Biblical fiction like no other I have encountered. Told from the perspective of a servant of a Greek philosopher, a student in his own right, Madman gives the reader a look into the Gentile life of Palestine. Should you read it? This one is not for someone who wants a quick, easy, or even light read. Its subject matter is madness and demonic possession and the power of Jesus to reach into both and set the captive free. If you are up for a challenge, then I urge you to give this one a look.

Tallis has been sent by his master, Calimachus, to the Decapolis in Palestine to find out what has happened to the philosophical school that had been founded in his name. What Tallis finds is mystery and danger and a tormented man who lives in the tombs.

The story is told from the third person point of view of Tallis and letters to his master back in Athens. Tallis has scars from a childhood trauma that make him vulnerable to both human and spiritual attack. But as he receives warning after warning to go home, Tallis is determined to find the truth. Supporting characters are interesting and unlike what I am used to in traditional Biblical fiction. Part of that may stem from the fact that all of the characters are Gentiles, descendants of Greek colonists that now make the Decapolis their home. The Decapolis is very definitely not a Jewish enclave. Its cultural life is based upon its Greek origins and includes the pagan rites and worship foreign to their Jewish neighbors. It is this paganism that I found the most interesting. While the Greeks prided themselves on rational thought and discourse, parts of their society clung to worship of gods that demanded much from their adherents. Tallis must deal with the whys of the man’s demonic possession, something that is missing from the Biblical record. The reader soon discovers that pride, arrogance, and the search for god-like power and knowledge leave more than the man in the tombs vulnerable to demonic attack. The entrance of Jesus into the story comes late in the book, but there is a great anticipation of his arrival that is felt throughout. I found the portrayal of the demoniac’s torment and his ultimate deliverance especially powerful.

Madman is an early book by Tracy Groot. This Christy Award winner for historical fiction has just been recently re-released. While I am not sure my reading experience was one of enjoyment, I am glad I read this riveting novel.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Emile Momber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a biblical-historical fiction before this book, and I will say I'm pleased. It is riveting storytelling told from the perspective of a first century Gentile hearing about a Marvelous and Mysterious man "Across the Sea" (of Galilee). I think this story truly fleshes out what it means when Scripture says,"the people living in darkness have seen a great light" (Matthew 4:16). The Gentiles who have never heard of the One True God, and his Son Incarnate were truly steeped in spiritual darkness. And that is exactly how Groot describes their hopeless existence in excruciating detail. Having exhausted all human resources in attempt to be freed from the reality of evil, the characters in this book come to the end of themselves. No philosophy, miracle worker, magician, shaman, idea, education, ritual, or wishful thinking can release the Madman from bondage to Satan. The more his friends and family try to help him, the more they are pulled into despair, which makes them even more vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits.
The Answer they didn't know they needed came one day from Across the Sea and changed everything. Evil spirits fled in his Presence. He was one against the many who held a stronghold in that village. It only took one word and and he reclaimed the captives and the Legion fled. This was the deliverance that the whole book anticipated but didn't know it needed. And that's Grace, we don't deserve it, but God gives it. "For WHILE we were still sinners Christ died for us."
Groot draws us into the despair of Christless-ness and makes us sit there and suffer with the lost. Just when you think the darkness couldn't get any worse, it does. But then Groot shows us that there is Grace for even the darkest soul. The darkness of the book serves as a backdrop to the majesty of God. The need for Jesus makes his arrival in the end all the sweeter.
I have a new appreciation for all of the exorcism stories I read about in the Gospels. Groot reminded me that each of these people had a story, they had a family, a life before they were possessed. Jesus knew their stories, all individually. He loved them and had compassion on them. This fictional story beautifully depicts how each and every person held by demon possession must have felt when they were freed by Jesus. It also gave me fresh appreciation for my own salvation from the realm of darkness into his marvelous light.

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tallis is the servant of a man in Athens who started a school in the Gerasene region during the time of Caesar Augustus. He returns after many years to see how the school is doing, but discovers that it has been disbanded and something strange has caused the death, suicide, disappearance, and demonic possession of various members.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it didn't focus so much on the Gerasene demoniac as it did on the people impacted by his demon possession. The story of Tallis was well-developed and interesting. The historical connections between the demonic backstory and the Greek worship of Dionysus behind the celebration of Bacchus was also insightful. I didn't realize the connection to Antiochus Epiphanies, Alexander the Great, and the Menaeds who tear apart a living child as part of a midnight demonic ritual to "release the god" (actually a demon), and has actual cultish connections to some of the demonic practices of abortion.

The story was entirely believable with setting, significance, and Biblical accuracy. It was a wonderful story -- until it got to the part about Jesus. The author stayed true to the interaction as described in the Bible. However, she forced free will theology on the casting out part, that the demon-possessed man was given a choice and Jesus' love wouldn't override his choice (p. 354). Jesus is also described as the Third Truth (p. 359) rather than the only Truth. The main character wasn't transformed by Jesus, but saw Him as another, greater philosopher.

It seemed like the author was saying that no matter what people are searching for, Jesus is their answer according to their understanding rather than according to His teaching; all roads lead to truth. The message of Jesus was also presented nonconfrontationally (even though it boldly cast out demons!), and the message of the ex-demoniac who returned to share the gospel was limited to his testimony and people being healed in the name of Jesus.

[Rick Verde · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read some really bad books in my lifetime, but this one here deserves its own documentary on how mediocrely pathetic it is. Normally I finish a book that is around 300 pages in less than a week. This book is so boring that it took me over five months. And that's with me having nothing else to do since I was bedridden after fracturing four vertebrae in my spine.

The premise of the book sounded interesting, but nothing happens in this book. A man by the name of Tallis shows up to find out about a school that disappeared only to discover some of the teachers have died, some have disappeared, and one has become a madman.

This madman is what this entire book revolves around. Essentially, Tallis is trying to help his family cure him of his insanity.

I remember while reading this garbage, I decided to look up some of the reviews on Goodreads. One person stated that the book was fine, but there wasn't enough Jesus in it. Up until that point, I didn't know that Tracy Groot was a religious writer.

I got this book for free at my last job, where we did book swaps. Once you finished a book and you didn't want to keep it, or you wanted others to enjoy it, you leave it in the cafeteria every third Friday of the month. I picked this book because the cover looked awesome, and the book blurb sounded fun.

I was wrong, and as for Jesus, the guy was right. This book is 316 pages long, and Jesus doesn't show up until page 287. The remaining 29 pages wrap up the book, and people ask who was the Jew who saved the madman, and when will he return to ask for money.

I honestly will never read another Tracy Groot novel again. This book is horrible, and I will be donating to my local bookstore.

[Mishael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t!

It was just too long and too boring. There weren’t enough scenes with the demoniac. Definitely not enough with Jesus in it. And even His appearance and ultimate solution to Tallis’s and everyone else’s problem is glossed over and seen from a distance.

I just basically didn’t care enough about Tallis (except for his romance with Kes, which was woefully shortened to the obvious conclusion without much exposition). I didn’t really care about many of the characters (of which there were too many, and it was hard to keep track of them all).

I think this could have been a much more interesting story if this had been broken down and expanded into a full series. Let us see the Decaphaloi in action and their destruction, not just hear about it later. Let us see Kes and Tallis develop their romantic relationship. Let us see and feel what Kardus felt in the moment with Jesus and how that changed him afterwards.

Speaking of which, I thought it was odd how Kardus suddenly had healing powers himself after his contact with Jesus. Also, it was terribly disappointing to hear Tallis, even towards the end, refer to Jesus as “The Third Truth,” not “The Real Truth.” And even at the end, he goes back to talking about only two truths.

And that’s another reason it took me so long to read this book. The narrative was boring and hard to follow. The dialog was confusing and hard to follow. I just didn’t really care for this one at all. I’ll not likely read another book by this author, if this is indicative of her writing style.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novelization of the Gerasene demoniac. While some may complain that not enough time was given to Jesus performing the exorcism of Legion from the titular Madman, I thought the miracle was made more powerful by the author's decision to humanize the afflicted. Endowing Kardus with a past filled with family and friends, peers and students, benefactors and enemies, his plight and eventual healing felt like high stakes. He was no longer just another example of Jesus's ability to perform miracles.

I also appreciated the attention given to the story's place in history. The crossover of polytheism with monotheism created tension within the story. Interweaving Kardus's eventual demonic possession with the Dionysian mysteries allowed for some creative storytelling. A mystery sits at the center of Kardus's story.

As Kardus is unfit to tell us himself of his journey from brilliance to insanity, we join Tallis on his quest to discover what happened to the Greek academy where Kardus was first a student and then a teacher. Upon discovering the tragedy that tore the academy apart, Tallis begins trying to track down the instructors and is surprised to learn the madman in the hills was once one of its brightest minds. He needs to know what happened to the academy his master supported for both the man he serves and for himself, especially after he discovers the ties the Cult of Dionysus has to everything.

[Hudson E. Witzig Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! It’s not often that I read till 2:30 in the morning. I was about halfway through last night, and the plot kept getting thicker and thicker, I literally couldn’t put it down. I was fighting sleep (at times (most of the time I was WIDE awake!)) and a cruel headache, but I just had to keep reading. It’s not exactly a nighttime read; a lot of darkness, it’s pretty horrific. But I didn’t have any nightmares, thank God!

“[Jesus] hits the light switch in stuffy rooms of darkness and evil...” -Joni Eareckson Tada.

Joni is right....

This is a story of demon possession, make no mistake. It’s also about those who battle against evil, though ineffectively. It’s about a family with a dark past, a past they must come to grips with. Human nature, human emotions. And so much more.

Told in true “TG” fashion, this story opened my eyes a little bit to what the dark side really is. But it’s not all a dark story. You witness both the highs and the lows of the characters, and the outcome is truly spine-tingling, in a good way :).

I would highly recommend this read to any adult, and certain teens. Due to certain “thematic elements”, discretion is advised. Not suitable for children.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what to say--I was totally swept away and couldn't put this book down. It was just very unexpected. Of course, I know the (albeit brief) story from the Bible and so I kept waiting and waiting on Jesus to arrive on the scene.

55% thru the book someone finally mentions the "Most High" and it was at least 75% of the book until Jesus is even mentioned. About 80% thru I put the book down, looked at my husband and said, "if Jesus doesn't show up soon, I don't think I can make it!!"

Overall, it was an incredibly dark, creepy and tragic book--one I think the author used as a mirror to the darkness of the madman--and the darkness of sin we all have without Jesus.

And I think (I guess this is a spoiler if you don't know the biblical account...), although the madman is healed and he clearly recognized Jesus' power....well, I just wanted more healing for the rest of the family/characters. I wanted more transformation thru Jesus.

Conclusion: insightful, dark, heavy, engrossing with a happy ending that left me wanting more.

[Julie Edberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is riveting! The complexity of the characters makes it a bit difficult to start. I had to read the first chapter twice. It got better as I got deeper into the book and started understanding the relationships.

The book is a fictional depiction of the miracle of the Gerasene demoniac that is written in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It builds an amazing story around what it would have been like for the family and community surrounding this demonized man, as well as a depiction of what he might be experiencing.

Having read the gospels, I knew how the book would end. Yet the intensity of the event brought me to literal tears.

Outstanding book! I cannot wait to read more from this author!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was based on the gospel of Mark where Jesus frees the demoniac (my name is "Legion") that lived among the tombs and had the demons cast out into a herd of pigs, but from a very interesting point of view. Through the eyes of a outsider, a Greek scholar, you discover the history and life of what could have been the demoniac. It is a story within a story and a very thought provoking one at that. Though it would be classified as a "Christian" book, it is more along the lines of creepy supernatural such as the book "This Present Darkness". I really enjoyed this book and will be seeking out more of Tracy Groot's stories for my bookshelf.