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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An important novel that demands re-reading, May 1 2001
I will certainly agree with many of the other reviewers who find this excellent novel ponderous and hard going in many, many places. I also believe too that with all translations there is much lost in terms of rhythym, imagery and cultural frame of reference.That said, The Last Temptation of Christ demands not only attention, but re-reading as well- always the mark of a good book. Kazantzakis never intended his novel to be taken as gospel. He simply is attempting to bring into focus the humanity at the center of the mystery of Christ. Christ, in my mind is the living God and Kazantzakis, through a work of fiction, brings Him as a character closer to my own experience. Again, no one is to take this novel as Truth in a religious sense- although Kazantzakis is not blasphemus as many of this novel's attackers insist- it simply is an exploration of the sin and heartache that all human's encounter. By making Christ more human for the sake of narrative, Kazantzakis brings the price of our salvation even closer to reality. The pain of sin and blood of cleansing is even more critical and necessary to every one of us. Satan's tempting of Christ in this novel is so vividly powerful that we do indeed see our selves manifested. The book has demanded I (and all readers) re-examine and closely evaluate our faith. This does not mean we reject it- no- it actually makes our faith stronger. Kazantzakis had the courage to step out of Plato's cave with this novel. I strongly urge all readers to tackle the difficult prose and wrestle with this novel. It is a meaningful journey one can (and needs to!) take repeatedly.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
little by little, the shade thickens and solidifies, Jul 10 2002
and little by little, you no longer hear the words, just lulling music, monotonous and sad - and then gently, you fall asleep- like disciples listening to jesus. The book is powerful, it is very lonely and sad being God, and very lonely and sad being man, too. The language is repetitive and simple, like scripture. The character of Jesus is unique here, the author takes some chances, has... I wouldn't say fun. But plays. And does so in a loving way, with effort, sometimes more inspired than other times. And he questions the whole scribal process of Matthew, too, with the archangel making him write things that he does not witness, like the virgin birth in Bethlehem and the adoration of the magi which just fulfill prophecies. God's truth and man's are not the same. gasp.
The actual "last temptation" stuff where Jesus goes and starts the family with martha and mary I found very weak, almost disappointed the entire book, very flashy and gawdy and overwritten and false, not false because it didn't happen or doesn't correspond with scriptures but false in the writing, false in spirit.
Some parts bring tears to my eyes. Judas is deep. His character emerges so strongly. Chapter 12, the making of wine followed by the persecution of Mary Mag and Jesus saving her, is one of the best chapters I have read in any book anywhere.
Some emergences of 'biblical characters' are weak, such as Saul/Paul, and I think more could have been done with Pilate. I liked the portrayal of Peter, my favorite saint, his weakness, his fleshiness, his sometime joy, his earnestness, his effort, his failure. He reminds me of a painting by Carravagio of the three denials of St. Peter, this old man pathetic really, denying he knows the man.
And jesus is fierce. And there is the transformation that the desert has on him, from lover to lion. This is true imagination, this is what imaginations are made for.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent Novel about a great spiritual victory, Jul 7 2002
After I saw the Movie I had to read the book, The book helped me understand the movie alot better. The book has regained my interest in Jesus Christ, Kazantzakis' portrayal of Jesus helps the reader to better identify with Christ's sufferings and Temptations. I recommend this book to any person who has an open mind.
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