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The Scribe

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There is a deep, rich vein of spirituality running through The Scribe, a novel that resurrects the life of Luke the Evangelist.After the crucifixion of Jesus, in its immediate aftermath, a young widower and member of the Sanhedrin becomes disillusioned with the high priests and begins to adopt a Christian way of thinking. Forced to leave Jerusalem, he finds himself in a time that heralded the birth of the gospels.The novel follows an array of characters both factual and Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus himself, the gospel writers, a mystical figure known as the Seer, and the Santos brothers, a seagoing pair from Hispania, among others.Set against a background of countries that made up the ancient world, The Scribe shines a beacon of light on a period of history that changed us all forever.

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2016

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Liam Robert Mullen

69 books10 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for J.B. Richards.
Author 6 books146 followers
April 2, 2018
"The Scribe” is a fictional novel that takes place after the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ. It focuses on the life mission of Luke the Evangelist, along with an array of characters, including Mary, Mother of Jesus, several important Apostles, and a set of constructed characters who enhance the telling of Mullen’s story.

Whenever I pick up a novel that is written about that period of history that I have spent a lifetime studying, particularly about the life of Jesus and the early Roman Empire, I look forward to discovering a new perspective on the events and the people of that time. I also expect the author who pens such a novel to verify their facts and make certain that the research they have completed is valid and accurately represents the timeline of events. All in all, “The Scribe” effectively shines a light on many of the customs and traditions that were present during this critical period in history, and upholds the current research gathered by historical and New Testament scholars to date.

Mullen’s story is imaginative and compelling. His writing speaks to the issues of faith, loyalty, and commitment, as he holds the reader’s interest with beautifully written passages that conjure gorgeous landscapes in the reader’s mind. “The Scribe” does contain grammatical errors, inconsistencies in verb tense, fractured sentences, and formatting problems. There are also inconsistencies in staying true to the employment of historical terminology—such as the author’s reference to articles of clothing as “a shirt and jacket”, however Mullen’s characters—both real-life and fictional—are well-rounded, believable representations of the heroes and heroines—the fathers and mothers—who initially led the early Christian community to eventually become one of the world’s most powerful religions.

The journeys of Mullen’s characters represent the journey of each soul that is yearning for something more… something tangible… and readers will enjoy seeing the very beginnings of Jesus’ movement in a whole new light.

Profile Image for Rosemary Mairs.
Author 2 books43 followers
September 14, 2022
A beautifully written depiction of the struggle of Christians to practice their faith in a hostile environment during Biblical times.

For me, the strength of this novel is Mullen’s emotive portrayal of the characters, both factual and fictional.

When Jesus is staying with Ibrahim and Sarah, he uses his carpentry skills to fix their door in return for a meal. Ibrahim is impressed by the young man: ‘His visitor was different than the normally hard-headed Zealots he had met before. There was no hatred in his tones, nothing but a warm deep understanding of humanity and its many frailties.’

Escobar, a member of the Sanhedrin which condemned Jesus, struggles to live with his guilt and regret. He is accepted by, and gains forgiveness from amongst others Mary, mother of Jesus.

The hatred and barbarity of the ruling forces contrasts sharply with Mullen’s depiction of the Christian believers, their acts of kindness and generosity, their perseverance to openly practise their faith. Even condemning them to death couldn’t quash them, ‘their steps were heavy because man liked to cling to life, but their hearts were light.’

Mullen is to be commended for the personal, affecting touch he brings to Biblical accounts of this period in history. My only criticism is the time-line can sometimes be confusing. Strongly recommend.
Profile Image for Ed.
679 reviews66 followers
January 10, 2023
Interesting back stories of how the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus Christ spread Christianity throughout the world after the Resurrection. Luke, John, Peter and Paul's gospels accelerated the spread of Jesus' message as missionaries risking their lives daily. Rather than denouncing their Faith, incredibly brave early Christians were routinely crucified, beheaded or thrown to starving lions by Roman authorities. Their lifelong enduring Faith continues to inspire billions of Christians in today's increasingly secular world. This book humanizes the early Gospel writers in lively historical fiction. I liked it!
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,477 reviews
did-not-complete
December 3, 2022
I did not complete this fiction book. It has many good ratings, but I had some problems early on and quit reading. First the timeline jumps back and forth with one section talking about the resurrection, then shortly thereafter it jumps back to Jesus being alive . It also says Jesus preached in countries outside of Israel when the Bible specifically says he came for the Jews and Gentiles of Israel. Further, it jumps quickly between characters which made it additionally hard for me to follow. I may give it a try another time, but just found it confusing.
Profile Image for Luna_Roja.
150 reviews6 followers
March 25, 2019
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

The Scribe is a work of fiction where the author mixes the facts we know of Luke from the Bible with other fictional characters and situations to draw a Luke and his life, from his birth, to childhood, adulthood etc.
The characters both real and fictional are pictured in such a way, that it's very easy for the listener to empathize with them, to love or dislike them. Even knowing that it's a fictional book, the stories are written so realistically, that you find yourself wondering how life must have been back then, at least for the real people that appear on the book.
I liked the premise of The Scribe, what I didn't expect was a story able to make me smile, a story that moved me and even inspired me at times.
The narrator did a good job too, and if I had to choose something I didn't like I'd say: the constant jumps in time, but it's something I don't like almost in any book anyway.
Profile Image for Jimmy Leonard.
Author 1 book15 followers
March 17, 2018
The verdict: A quick read, sparser than I’d hoped, serving a specific audience with an interest in biblical history.

I picked up The Scribe intrigued by its premise—a look at biblical history from a rarely told perspective. Mullen draws from the gospels and Acts to create plausible backstories for some of the Bible’s best-known characters, infusing some fictitious elements and extrabiblical traditions. While Mullen’s writing feels knowledgeable about the subject matter, some glaring anachronisms keep it from being truly immersive. Character thoughts refer to years as “BC” or “AD” even though the terms didn’t exist until centuries later, and the prose references some future events and includes modern vocabulary that took me out of the ancient mindset. Less nerdy readers might not have the same gripes. In terms of structure, the chapters are more like short vignettes involving different characters, making Mullen’s work more like a story collection than one continuous narrative. The behind-the-scenes musings about Christianity’s early days might spark thought or discussion; it’s to the story’s credit that I wanted more than I found.

Following Jesus’ crucifixion, Sanhedrin scribe Escobar faces an unexpected crisis of faith. In the wake of his own personal tragedy, Escobar is strangely moved by this rabbi on the cross, and he determines to learn more about Jesus. Years earlier, the young fisherman Simone loses his grandfather in a horrific accident but later earns the name Cephas, while meanwhile Roman Senator Cesari loses his wife in childbirth but learns from a Seer that his son will become the gospel writer Luke. Back in the present day, Escobar sees the resurrected Christ and receives a special mission. Interspersed with scenes of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Escobar goes to Ephesus with a changed heart, a city where he encounters Mary and the apostle John. Elsewhere, a now-adult Luke meets Paul on his own journey to Ephesus. As the scenes unfold, ripple effects stretch out to touch men and women across the Meditteranean world, culminating with a trial before Emperor Nero in Rome.

In contrast to the linear narrative of the gospels themselves, Mullen gives a layered perspective of the first-century Roman world. As a result, however, the timeline jumps around, and it’s challenging to find a single main character or conflict. The story has several developmental and proofreading issues and could benefit from professional editing. Several transitions feel choppy, and I wanted more development of the main characters. As a starting point, it’s an interesting take on a biblical origin story. All in all, The Scribe offers a quick, intriguing novella for those interested in biblical history.
Profile Image for Julius Codrington.
Author 4 books7 followers
July 4, 2024
Liam Robert Mullen's "The Scribe" is an enthralling blend of psychological intrigue and historical fiction. The narrative is centered on Brendan, a talented yet troubled writer, who is recruited by the British Army during World War I to serve as a war correspondent. As he navigates the horrors and chaos of the front lines, he grapples with his inner demons and past traumas, making this a story that deeply explores the human psyche under extreme duress.

The character development in "The Scribe" is masterfully crafted. Mullen excels in portraying Brendan as a multidimensional character whose journey is both compelling and relatable. The supporting characters each bring their own complexities and moral ambiguities, which adds layers to the storyline. This sophisticated character interplay enriches the reader's understanding of the various emotional and psychological consequences of war.

The setting is depicted with vivid and harrowing detail. Mullen's descriptions of the trenches, the battlefield, and the daily life of those embroiled in the struggle effectively immerse the reader into the historical context. The juxtaposition of brutal reality with Brendan’s introspective reflections creates a poignant contrast, emphasizing the devastating impact of war not only on the body but also on the soul.

The thematic elements of the novel delve deeply into the concepts of memory, trauma, and resilience. As the protagonist records the events around him, he is forced to confront his haunting past and the choices that have led him to this point. This dual exploration of external and internal conflict provides a compelling narrative drive that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

"The Scribe" merits a 5 out of 5 star rating because it brilliantly weaves together a compelling historical narrative with profound psychological insights. Mullen’s exceptional writing brings each character and setting to life in a way that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating. The novel's ability to navigate complex themes while maintaining an edge-of-your-seat storyline is a testament to Mullen's skill as a storyteller, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and psychological drama alike.
Author 8 books7 followers
November 13, 2025
This story, in its entirety, is as relevant today as it was in its time. Christians are still pursued, and if caught, still persecuted today all over the world. Reading this book was an eye-opening exploration, driving the reader into the yesteryear (world) of the scribes in the Bible. Due to the extent of time the book traverses, there is a lot to digest for more than one character, which I feel dilutes the story of Luke, the scribe. Had the story stuck to just Luke and interspersed the other facts necessary without the other characters’ cumbersome and time-consuming details, I would have loved the story. As it is, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. That is a personal preference and not something that may hinder others, and should not deter anyone from reading this book, which would be a true miss.

Luke is a scribe of the bible; a story no one really talks in depth about until now. It is a researched and creative book that is written to place you back in that time, and you will enjoy being there. Witnessing the events and characters you recognize is fun. Living the stories of that time can be entertaining and traumatizing, but it will definitely be unforgettable. You will most likely recall details of a story or stories you may have read in the bible or elsewhere about the other characters besides Luke. The details of that time and those characters may now put a scene in your mind that you can live and will most certainly remember.

The story of Jesus and his followers is a never-ending and soul-touching encounter that most people will thoroughly enjoy. The gut-wrenching events, such as the crucifixion, may dampen your spirits and hurt your heart a bit, but the overall picture is heart-warming, spirit-elevating, and love-enveloping. It is a story that no matter how many times it is told, you’re always ready to hear it again.

This book is for anyone with a quest for knowledge who loves stories of the bible and wants to experience the time of the bible through the writing and dialogue of this author. It is an enjoyable and fascinating read.
Profile Image for The Book.
534 reviews15 followers
November 26, 2022
The Scribe is a fictional depiction of the Gospel writer, Luke and his life. Covering a period of several decades, the reader follows Luke and several other important people in his life whose paths cross as the newly created Christian faith begins to spread out throughout the Roman Empire.

The Scribe is part story, part history lesson, attempting to immerse you in what life was like during the immediate post-crucifixion period. It does this rather well but there are a few anachronisms within the text, and the occasional info-dump does disrupt the pacing somewhat, especially when it’s an actual list of names.

The primary characters get a little room to breathe, although the minor roles are a tad two dimensional. The narrative does jump about a bit, but it’s not disruptive enough to get in the way of enjoying the story. There are a few “what???” moments as minor characters fail to react to events around them but the author’s laser-like focus is centred well and truly on Luke. You are here for him and him only. Dialogue is at times well used, whilst at others, a tad repetitive, and there is also some repetition in the text that veers closely towards padding.

Speaking of which, I think that this book could definitely do with another editing pass but, on the whole, the author’s passion shines through and makes this is an enjoyable tale with a few minor yet correctable faults. This is could be described as a very spiritual book and one that should appeal to those interested in the topic or with an interest in the early days of Christianity. Outside of its intended audience, its appeal could be questionable.

We award 3 stars.
Profile Image for Jane Suen.
Author 28 books858 followers
August 2, 2022
The story starts in 30 AD. Jerusalem. Escobar had condemned the young man who died on the cross, between the two thieves on either side of him. Yet now, gazing at the Galilean wearing the crown of thorns, the ‘King of the Jews’, he’s tormented and shaken to the core. A changed man.

11 AD. Simone is a boy of fourteen, already a Galilean fisherman. After the storm that took the life of his beloved grandfather, he grieves for the man who taught him to fish. 20 AD. Cesari Ciccone was born into Roman aristocracy. He is stricken with grief upon the death of his wife after delivering four newborns, a son and three girls.

The male child will be named Luke, and is foretold by the Seer to be a great scribe, to write a Gospel. Story goes back to 30 AD when the Resurrection takes place. It continues, including Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Baptist, Andrew, Petros, Ibrahim, Sarah, Stephen, Saul/Paul, Thomas, Bartholomew, Philip, Simon, Andrew, Levi, James, John, Mathias, Ioanna, Jude, Marcus Aurilius, Scarpacco, Xavier, Xia, Rebecca, Timothy, Silas, John Mark, Barnabas, Daniel, Aniko, and others.

As a scribe, Luke travels to the places he writes about and meets with the people who had been directly involved and witnessed the events, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, Ioanna, Escobar, Petros and he also meets with other gospel scribes to compare notes. He travels with Paul on some of his missionary journeys. He would also write the Acts of the Apostles. Historical Biblical and fictional characters are weaved together by Mullen in this beautifully written novel.
Profile Image for Maria Chapman.
124 reviews14 followers
Read
August 13, 2019
I am reviewing the audio version of this book.

This was a really wonderful book.

The author must have done a lot of research in order to write this novel. It’s more than just a novel, it’s in part biographies of the main people who were instrumental in writing and preaching the gospels. The biblical world was brought to life.
I particularly found the author’s description of paradise intriguing. How people continued to learn and gather knowledge and how there were vast libraries of people’s writings etc.
The book seemed to repeat in parts, but i think that was due to the time jumps.
The time jumps took some time to get used to, but it was all good once i figured out, that a particular time would be spoken of, and then revisited and expanded upon some time later.
The fictional characters helped to bring the biblical period to life.
The Narration was wonderful. It really helped me get in to the story and stay engaged.
If you are like me, and wonder, how people lived in the past, then I would highly recommend this book.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Michelle Kidwell.
Author 36 books85 followers
August 5, 2022
The Scribe
by Liam Robert Mullen
Pub Date 22 Nov 2016
BooksGoSocial
Christian | Religion & Spirituality



I am reviewing a copy of The Scribe through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:



The Scribe is a rich, deep novel that that resurrects the life of Luke the Evangelist.




In the immediate aftermath,following the Crucifixion of Christ, a young widower and member of the Sanhedrin becomes disillusioned with the high priests and begins to adopt a Christian way of thinking. Forced to leave Jerusalem, he finds himself in a time that heralded the birth of the gospels.



The Scribe follows an array of characters both factual and fictional: Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus himself, the gospel writers, a mystical figure known as the Seer, and the Santos brothers, a seagoing pair from Hispania, among others.




The Scribe is set against a background of countries that made up the ancient world, and shines a beacon of light on a period of history that changed us all forever.




I give The Scribe five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!






Profile Image for Books  Shelf.
336 reviews32 followers
November 24, 2022
The Scribe by Liam Mullen is religious historical fiction. It is a well-researched novel filled with information that can be of value and interest to many. The author tells the story in a unique way, likable and easy to follow and understand. All of the characters are introduced properly and accurately.
The book is a perfect read for those who are compelled by the period after the crucifixion of Christ. Many Apostles and Jesus' mother Mary along with the Scribes are what make this novel compelling, touching, and thought-provoking.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews