The Shape of Illusion

by William Edmund Barrett

In a painting depicting Jesus, just after Pilot has sentenced him to death, each viewer sees himself or herself as a hateful member of the mob crying for Christ's blood. The painting has been hidden for hundreds of years. Now, found by a New York gallery owner, it shakes the few he dares show it to, to their foundations. But this isn't the story of the painting, as much as the twentieth century artist who travels to Germany to piece together the story of the painting.

Genres: Fiction, Religion, Christian Fiction

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Willam Edmund Barrett was born in New York City in 1900. He was Roman Catholic which is reflected strongly in his works. On February 15, 1925 he was married to Christine M. Rollman.

He attended Manhattan College. In 1941 he became an aeronautics consultant for the Denver Public Library.

He was a member of PEN and the Authors League of America, and also the National Press Club of Washington, D.C. He was president of the Colorado Authors League from 1943–1944.

Three of his novels were the basis for film productions: The Left Hand of God, Lilies of the Field, and Pieces of Dream which was based on The Wine and the Music.

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession: The edition I read of this book was printed in 1972. There is no ISBN and no information other than the publisher, which is different. I didn't bother to add a new edition because the one in the system is good enough for a 40 year old novel that's out of print. I am neglecting my librarian duties here.

I first read The Shape of Illusion when I was about 12. That was a very long time ago. It stuck with me enough to make me wrack my brains trying to figure out what that book was that took place at a German passion play that occurred once every 10 years in a medieval town, had a mystery and a romance. I mentioned it to my mom recently and she looked through her books and found it.

I'd really like to see some fantasy author take this story and run with it. At 215 pages, The Shape of Illusion is a bit too short to give the story the depth it deserves. The main characters are a bit stiff and formal. They could stand to be more naturalistic. The secondary characters are fairly vague. The story is really, really good though as evidenced by the fact that I wanted to read it nearly 40 years after I first read it.

The Shape of Illusion is about a painting in which the viewer sees himself as part of the crowd persecuting Christ as He's carrying His cross. It's about one agnostic artist's search for the artist who created this work that distresses those who see it. It's about a visit to a centuries-old performance of a passion play in the village where the painting's creator, Boniface Rohlmann lived.

One of the strongest points of this novel are the descriptions of Boniface Rohlmann's two paintings and the description of the passion play itself. William Barrett makes the village and the art come alive.

Make no mistake, this is a work of Christian fiction. It's clear that the author was a devout Catholic Christian. Yet, the protagonist is agnostic and he remains agnostic at the end. I kept expecting some hokey conversion experience and there was none. Instead, the protagonist comes to understand things about Christianity that he didn't before. He just doesn't come to believe. I thought this was an interesting aspect of this novel and wonder if it would be written the same way today.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book 25-30 years ago. It was one my grandmother had. I give it 5 stars for its effect on my life. I have often pondered if I would have seen myself in the picture, and if so, in which person?

I love stories of redemption -- when someone "comes unto himself." How often do we recognize (and appreciate) the opportunity to see ourselves for who we really are -- and then make the choice to be who we really want to be? The real story is in the recognition, the choice and the change(s) made.

Consider:
The Prodigal Son
Dorian Gray
Groundhog's Day
Magnificent Obsession
The Family Man
It's a Wonderful Life

[Maureen Mahowald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book every few years. It is a gem. The author poses deep questions of Good and Evil wrapped within an interesting story line and set in a quaint German town which is performing a Passion Play. I highly recommend this book.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: A painter is called into a local art dealer and friend's office to view a mysterious painting by an obscure, 17th century, German artist. Surprisingly enough, when confronted with the painting, each of the guests finds themselves painted within it -- each playing a role in condemning Christ to death outside of the palace of Pontius Pilate. Confused, our artist goes to the artists hometown to discover how it this painting came to be.

Review: Certainly an interesting premise, and for the descriptive quality of the writing, the story moves more quickly than I could have imagined. The ending was kind of a surprise, not at all what I expected. The book is not overtly religious and not overly derogatory, its merely an exploration of witchcraft, miracles, and the power of art.

[VeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a child and loved it. I just re-read it and enjoyed it again. The story is tied to a painting and the Passion Play they do in Germany every 10 years. I would love to see the play. Oh well, maybe in 2020. Don't want to spoil the book, but the painting is fascinating. Each person who sees it, sees something personal in it.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

How all art forms touch our souls. Intrinsic flaws are with us all and can be realized for our betterment.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. I could not stop reading it. It was a timely read for Lent and makes one consider the true meaning of Lent and the passion of Christ. Art can be powerful and truthful. It can divide and unite people, places, and things. True art is a God given and driven talent that is expressed for our betterment.

[Dirk Wickenden · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading The Lilies of the Field this year, after liking the film for many years, I then read the sequel, The Glory Tent (an antiquarian copy), which I kind of enjoyed. I also picked up an antiquarian copy of The Shape of Illusion, after researching works by Mr Barrett.

I was quite hyped, after reading the blurb, hence why I purchased it but it was less than the sum of its parts. Barrett, a Catholic, uses the first person narrative of an agnostic, to explain faith, which was semi-successful in this case. His descriptions of the German town were very good, one could picture it in their head (is it a real town? I'll have to check). The relationship between the two semi-rival Americans was handled very subtly but I never quite understood the biz with the young actor playing John the Apostle in the passion play.

The ending wasn't quite what I hoped - the last part of the the book, 'The Reality', made me hope for something more faith affirming. It's like Barrett had written himself into a box and couldn't find the right exit.

Overall, a worthwhile read but I was disturbed about the references to the occult etc. Although he wasn't advocating any dabbling, which was good.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I try to cull my bookshelves, I contemplate my tattered paperback copy of this book. Every time, Instead I pick it up and read it again and find something different and every time I’m changed by the experience.

[Paula Galvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kirk Donner—a renowned painter—and three of his friends are summoned to Lorenson Galleries to view a mysterious seventeen-century painting, their lives are changed forever. For, in the masterpiece portraying the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, they all see their own condemning faces on the canvas. Impossible? Trickery? Sorcery? Searching for answers, Kirk travels to the artist's place of birth, the small town of Friedheim in Germany, where the locals still enact a Passion Play every ten years. But, instead of gaining answers, he encounters the promise of love and hope.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this story. It was different and fascinating. It was about a painting that showed the Savior right before the crucifixion. Whoever saw the painting saw him/herself among the crowd who tormented and turned their backs on Jesus. It was about the research one man did to determine what he could about the artist and the adventure he had while researching the artist and the painting. A great story...

[Louis A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me. The passion play in Germany interested me, and this book uses the play as a backdrop for the plot. The main character searches for knowledge of some obscure artist. But he comes instead to knowledge of things much greater than himself, if not belief. He is left with an understanding and a thirst for more.

[Scott Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such hopes I had! Some descriptions were great, some contemplations as well. But I did not feel anything compelling with the premise descriptions the author offered. It's a decent book, short and fast to read. Give it a moment.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B-. fiction, religious fiction, artists, Crucifixion, strange, Mom's stash, keep

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes the reader really think. I’ll post a review on my blog at some point.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I bought it to put on my shelf of older looking books, but decided to read it on a whim.

[Sharlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, Evil, White Magic, passion, illusion, religion, logic, talent, dreams, urges, discovery, understanding, and confusion.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this. But I also do not have a strong background in Christianity that could have helped with a lot of the symbolism.

[Todd Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially read this book at the age of 16 (1978). My mom had just read it and recommended it. I could not put it down. It was compelling, thought provoking and well written for age and genre. It left a lifelong impact on me, not in the sense that it changed me, rather that I would often recall the book and ponder how I myself would have reacted if I'd been in that situation (both in the book) and in the with regard to the topic it covers (avoiding spoilers).

About five years ago we were planning a cross country road trip with our kids and were looking for good reading material. I wanted my girls (Then teens) to experience that book. I didn't remember the name of the book or the author. I contacted my mom who keeps a journal of every book she's ever read along with a brief summary. Low and behold she found it in her journal. I found a used copy on Amazon and ordered. My middle daughter read the entire book out loud on the trip. We all enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time I read it.

I would strongly recommend this book. Its a thought provoking novel set in Western Europe in the late 60's. In addition to the core message, reading it now tends to highlight how much our world and culture have changed in the last 50 years.

[Jim Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in high school in the late 1970s and it had a profound influence on me. I loved the juxtaposition of a metropolitan life with a rural life, and I appeciated the religious connotations found in the piece of art that is in many ways the center of this story. I also enjoyed the various subplots. But the real power of this book for me was the way it inspired me. It made me want to see the world and sparked a desire to see a Passion Play in Germany. Fast-forward forty-plus years later, and the time finally came to reread this one. It was still a great story. And I'm happy to say I've seen a lot of the world over the years and am hoping to still make it to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, when it comes around next time in 2020!

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this back in high school when I was taking a break from the genre fare of fantasy, science fiction and horror. The premise was intriguing: a painting that is so vivid and lifelike that it makes its observer feel as if they are at the crucifixion of Christ.

Unfortunately, there's far too much ambling along, too much flowery sentimentality cloaked in hard living and way too much self flagellating stoicism to derive any real joy out of this book. I have a strong suspicion all of Barrett's books were like this, though I'm open to reading more to see if I'm wrong.

[Selkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a style similar to Daphne Du Maurier, this is the tale of a mysterious painting in which everyone seems to see their own portrait baring their darkest soul.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is about a painting of Christ being taken out of Pontius Pilate's courtyard by Roman soldiers, being jeered at by the crowd. Everyone who sees this painting actually sees themselves clearly depicted in it, whether they are a believer or not. Kirk, the atheist narrator, travels to the tiny German town where the obscure medieval artist lived to investigate.