From the back of the book: "As Imaginary Jesus opens, our hero, Matt Mikalatos, is sitting in a coffee shop. At his table is Jesus, listening to an iPod, his sandal-clad foot bouncing in rhythm with the music. It's a nice, comfortable afternoon together.
That all ends when a fishy stranger walks in and PUNCHES JESUS* IN THE THE FACE!
Jesus gets himself out of there as fast as he can (which, being Jesus, is really fast). And thus a most bizarre chase begins. . .
*Spoiler; It's not the real Jesus."
My Thoughts: Each year, I run a Summer Book Club for interested church family. I have found our book choice for this year in Imaginary Jesus. However, I will offer this disclaimer to both my church and my readers; If your sense of humor and thought process is anything like mine, you will love this book from the beginning. If you are more in control of your sanity and see life in a more serious manner, you may think that this reviewer and this author have lost their minds for a bit. Hang in there, it will all make sense by the end. At least, I think it will. Either way, it should provoke a great discussion time!
The author has taken what could have been a simple book on the different types of "Jesus'" we create in our own image and has instead created a wild ride through his imagination. Imaginary Jesus is both funny and thought provoking, in your face and in your heart. I laughed at the different "Jesus'" some create until he hit one of mine (flippant homeschooling comment!) and I had to stop and realize that yes, I may be a strong proponent of homeschooling but I cannot make that my god. By the time I had reached the end of the book, the story had changed from humorous to life impacting. Enough with the Imaginary Jesus', "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, Baby".
I highly recommend this book and would LOVE to hear what you think of it if you read it! Comments, comments! Maybe we should do a Summer Book Club right here on this blog? Hmmm...now there's an idea...
*Disclosure: I received this book at no cost through Tyndale, for review purposes.*
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5 People Had Something to Say:
I would be interested in a Summer Book Club and this sounds like a good book to start with - entertaining, funny, yet deep powerful truth! I'll watch to see what you decide!
Oh I think this would be an EXCELLENT summer book club book. :)
Let me know if you end up doing it and maybe I can call in and do a question and answer at some point during your club.
Thanks for the great review, I really enjoyed it!
Matt
Lorus!- I will put some thought into how to work it. :-)
Matt- It's always weird but cool when authors comment on my review of their work. And the first sentence made me literally laugh out loud. I'm sure you do think it would be an excellent choice! ;-)
A Q&A would be awesome. We typically meet in the coffee shop of Borders. Can you see us with the cell phone on speaker? Ha, don't mind us people, we are just talking to the author of the book here...heehee. Guess I better save this comment so I can remember this awesome offer! :-)
"weird but cool"... that's what I've wanted people to say about me my whole life. You have made my dream come true. :)
It's a phrase I hear repeatedly.
Glad I could help. ;-)
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