- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Pantheon; 1 edition (Mar 18 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0375422129
- ISBN-13: 978-0375422126
- Product Dimensions: 16 x 9.9 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,356,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Bryan's sly, minimalist debut is written in the form of an Afterword to his bestselling novel, The Deity Next Door. The catch is that The Deity Next Door does not exist. The fictional essay opens with Bryan basking in his record-breaking sales as he answers his fans' questions about the novel. As he describes his creative process, he gradually reveals the story of The Deity Next Door, which follows a modern-day American messiah named Blaine, a secular computer programmer in New York City who is astounded to discover that he has divine powers ranging from making objects levitate to healing his cancer-stricken son. Bryan explains the various theological questions he wrestled with as he wrote, digressing frequently to discuss his relationship with a group of evangelicals at a Dallas Bible college who fueled his interest in Christian spirituality. He also probes the literary problems of writing about a messiah ("In the gospels, we don't really know Jesus as a fully rounded man.... How does Blaine feel? What's his interior life really like?") and discusses the reactions of his agent and editor. In spite of the arch, metafictional conceit, Bryan takes his subjects seriously; this is less a sendup of the publishing world than a high-toned meditation on Christian theology, spirituality and the writing life. The lively, concise book is cleverly executed and poses some provocative questions. Yet some readers may be put off by the self-important tone. There's something a bit ludicrous about a writer who compares the writing of his bestseller to the creation of the Bible, and Bryan's earnest approach suggests we're meant to take the portentous scribe seriously.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
A prophetic debut? This clever work gives the back story of a best seller that never was called The Deity Next Door. With a nine-city author tour.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Should Do Well in Northern California,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Afterword: A Novel (Hardcover)
Really a silly little book with much psychobabble and religious pedantry
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great what if/how to/what the heck! or just fun.,
By Sean Wheeler (Cleveland, OH. USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Afterword: A Novel (Hardcover)
This book is an innovative and provocative addition to modern literature. The format is entirely creative. I am sure that not many have tried to write an afterword for a book that doesn't exist. Oddly, this approach resembles a "behind the music" or "storytellers" format, and is one that gives us a feeling that we are being let in on the best secrets of an alledgedly succesful novel. The metafictive approach will be of special interest to writers. I also found the commentary on deleted or excluded scenes to be a great tongue-in-cheek twist. As far as the religious aspects are concerned, this book takes a long hard look at how our society would deal with a messiah. Bryan does well to anticipate both the thoughts of sceptics and believers, while really never casting his own hat into the ring on either side. I read this after reading "The Life of Pi" and "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff". I couldn't have asked for a more fitting conclusion to this great summer reading trifecta.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining theology,
By
This review is from: The Afterword: A Novel (Hardcover)
This book is an afterword to an imaginary book called The Deity Next Door. It's really a meditation on Christology and writing a book. If that sounds weird, it isn't. Bryan's writing is witty and clever, and very thoughtful. Who knew theology could be so much fun!?
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