Has there ever been a novel about Jesus' life?
Not the gospels or some theological analysis, but a fiction book that explores his everyday experiences and not only the religious aspects? Something that gets into his human connections, personal growth as he gained fame and his life as a carpenter's son?
It would be interesting to read about his human side
by Dry-Librarian-6494
13 Comments
There’s this book about a Hobbit and a bunch of dwarves that is pretty cool
*The Gospel According to Jesus Christ* by José Saramago.
Quite a few of them, actually.
“Jesus: The Novel” and “Retold: The Life of Jesus” are two I believe.
I mean if you want fiction, {{Lamb by Christopher Moore}} is pretty much exactly what you’re asking for.
Quarantine by Jim Crace.
I am not a religious scholar by a loooong shot but I found this books evocation of place and time to be so skillful.
The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis.
*Lamb* by Christopher Moore is a must-read … Although it’s probably more on the fictional side of his life than you’re after.
*The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ* by Philip Pullman is dark, dark, dark, suggesting Jesus had a brother. One of the brothers was a good man, the other a bit of a calculating meany. Fascinating stuff though …
Norman Mailer wrote “The Gospel According to the Son.” It made waves when it came out.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
While it’s obviously more focused on the title character, Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George is a good read.
You absolutely must read The book of Longings!!!
Zealot- Reza Aslan
As u/[DatsunZGuy](https://www.reddit.com/user/DatsunZGuy/) already mentioned, Zealot by Reza Aslan is an excellent one. It’s about historical Jesus, but also the deliberate and considered machinations that turned historical Jesus into Biblical Jesus. It’s absolutely fascinating!