Between the Savior and the Sea

by Bob Rice

When Christ was on the cross... where was Simon Peter? "Between the Savior and the Sea" tells the Gospel story through Simon Peter's eyes. It not only brings to life the famous moments of the Gospels, it also goes where they are silent: What miracles occurred when Simon Peter and the other disciples were sent off two by two? How did he know that Jesus was the Christ? And what was he thinking when he denied him? Led to experience things beyond his wildest imagination, Simon Peter felt torn between being a fisherman and a "fisher of men," caught between the Savior and the sea.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Faith, Catholic, Theology

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2010

Reviews

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the email submitting this book for review, the author mentioned that my blog hadn't reviewed any Christian Fiction at that time and made the following point:

My hope is that the book stands on its own no matter what faith background you have. A good story is a good story.

I think this is called an act of faith.

In light of this, it seems fair that I give a disclaimer before my review. Although raised in an extremely religious environment, as an adult I developed issues with all organized religion. If forced to claim membership in any religious organization, it would be the pseudo-religious Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Although I’m the first to concede that religions are a positive force in providing people with a moral and ethical framework in which to live their lives, there are other ways to do that. In my observation, religion also has a downside that frequently includes war and hatemongering. However, I also believe everyone has the right to practice their religious beliefs, as long as doing so doesn’t negatively impact anyone else. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for those who follow their beliefs, insofar as they are positive.

I’ll start with the obvious. If I was able to separate this story from its origins, the genre would be something different, maybe supernatural or paranormal. But making that separation isn’t realistic for me. I doubt it is for many people. The tale, at a high level, is set in stone. Most people will know much of the story, including how it ends. (Jesus dies, for those who don’t know.)

However, Rice’s purpose appears to be two-fold. First, telling the story from a new perspective, that of Peter. Looking at anything from a different point of view can provide new insights. Second, to make the story more accessible without oversimplifying like some of the bible storybooks for children tend to do. I thought he succeeded with both of these. The language is modernized, making it much easier to read. I did laugh when one character told another that “I’ve got your back,” but mostly the language was easy to read, modern, without being slang filled. By arranging the story chronologically, it is much easier to follow.

I’m sure there are spots some biblical scholars would nitpick. I don’t know where those would be, but I have faith that they are there. It would depend on the scholar. Rice freely admits in the afterword that in a few instances he played fast and loose with chronology. He sometimes fills in gaps for a more complete story and in many cases different biblical accounts of the same incident are contradictory. Also, biblical scholars and different Christian denominations can’t agree on all the specifics. However, the big picture, I think Rice got. For believers or the curious who find reading the bible hard going, "Beneath the Savior and the Sea" is an excellent compromise. For those who have read "The Bible," the new viewpoint and easier reading might be something you’d be interested in reading. For non-believers, decide for yourself. After all, some say this is [[ASIN:B0002BO05S "The Greatest Story Ever Told"]]. For those who haven’t read it yet, sorry about the spoiler.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the Savior and the Sea is a new book by Bob Rice who is a musician, speaker, and Assistant Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. This novel based on the Gospels cover the time between Jesus’ calling of Peter and the resurrection. As such it is not a straight life of Jesus in trying to interweave the four Gospels, but a novel that focuses on Peter in regards to Jesus’ ministry. Some of the events of the Gospel are rearranged in time or left out to concentrate on the story telling.

As a novel I found much of it to be a rich meditation and I really liked the interactions among the Apostles and the portrayal of the political environment of the time and the different groups. Some aspects of the Gospels such as the disciples going out to preach I haven’t thought too much about, but I enjoyed how this was shown. As a novel an there is is much that is not from the Gospels with events and dialog being being mixed with what is known from the Gospels. That being said I did not find any of this added content to be at odds with the Gospel, but enhancing the story quite plausibly with various sub-plots and character interactions. My only quibble with the book is that the dialog is quite modern in phrase and can sometimes be disconcerting. Though writing it in such a way is a valid option considering that attempts to make it sound like historical dialog would be only an approximation and guess on dialog of this time. This novel is also written with a slight touch of humor and one line had me laughing out loud.

I am currently reading Quo Vadis which also focuses on Peter and the two novels are a timely coincidence in that they nicely dovetail together. While “Between the Savior and the Sea” is not the equivalent of the brilliance of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Quo Vadis it is still a very worthwhile read that tells the story well and might even add some nice imaginative detail in your prayer life.

Disclosure: Bob Rice sent me a copy of his novel and $20 bucks for a favorable review. Well not really, but he did send me a copy of his novel.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this little gem to me. Rice is an Assistant Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and is on the Catholic lecture circuit. Rice incorporates his knowledge of scripture into a fictionalized account of the Gospels.

It is captivating for two reason: first, it is refreshing to read the Gospels as a coherent story. Sometimes I get lost in the gaps of the Gospels, wondering how and how long it took Jesus and co. to get from one place to another. I have a hard time seeing how much time has passed. Second, it is helpful to read another person’s imaginings of how the apostles reacted to Jesus. Not only does Rice offer the perspective of Peter but of Judas and Jesus as well.

I am a fan. There’s definitely stories that I conceptualize much differently than Rice, but it has been a great way to wind down and pray before bed. It also has given me new perspective on the Gospels and how the apostles, disciples, and Jews struggled to believe in Jesus.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably a 4.5 rounded up. When you are familiar with a story (including how it ends) and the author still is able to create suspense and hold your interest, it is good story-telling at work. I loved reading the stories of the gospel from Peter's perspective. This book helped me see the human-side of the disciples in a new way. If any of my friends read this and get annoyed by the author's license to change the order of events or other aspects of the story, please read the author's notes in the back before judging.

[Michael Duquaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gospel came alive for me like never before while reading this book. The concept of telling the story of Jesus through the viewpoint of Peter and the twelve apostles was interesting. I liked how the author included references to chapters and verses in the Bible. I found myself reading the Bible verses first, then reading the chapter in this book. This is a perfect book to read during Lent, and honestly one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. I rarely do this with other books, but I WILL reread this book.

[Elizabeth]

This novel is The Sacred Triduum and Passion from the perspective of St. Peter. From fisherman to the one on which the Church would be built, hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven, be given the authority from Christ to bind and loose and govern, and be the basis for Apostolic succession. For me, this is in the vein of lectio divina and really helps bring scripture to life.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fictionalized story showing Jesus through Simon Peter’s eyes. I found myself relating to many of his feelings, and think the author did a really good job making the apostles seem human. There were differences between portrayals here and in the show 'the chosen' so I sometimes had a hard time working through that.

[Ben Daghir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing writer and thinker.

I would recommend this book to people for two reasons:

1.) Draw nearer to the Gospel message - to Christ, Mary, and Peter

2.) For the creativity this book contains

Awesome read and one that I'll read again for spiritual and relaxing reading.

[Leann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is no award winning piece of literature but the rendition of Christ’s passion is both gut wrenching and beautiful. I couldn’t put the book down until I finished the last 60 pages. Peter is highly relatable to the average believer and you find yourself rooting for him.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

it’s nicely written, i just struggle with books of this nature. the couple spelling errors did make me laugh. easy read, nice to hear a story we all know from a different perspective. but nothing groundbreaking or whatever

[Rhea Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it this year and last year for Lent! loved it

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slow at first, but getting to read an account of Peter and Jesus in a novel with the given liberties, but overall faithful was absolutely worth it!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the Bible stories well that are in the novel Between the Savior and the Sea, but do they come to life for us?

Singer, songwriter, speaker, author, and all around awesome Catholic Bob Rice brings the gospels to life through the perspective of Peter. His writing draws us in and helps us see what Peter and other disciples may have been thinking.

The story contains the commissioning of Peter through the Resurrection of Jesus. Each chapter lists Bible verses so that you may read the real stories if you choose.

This book is an easy read and page turner. I feel this would be a great book for an avid pre-teen reader or confirmation student. Not that this is a child's book, but for the fact that it turns the Bible into a compelling story without being "preachy" or feeling like you are being forced to learn.

[Melanie Rigney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest. It took me a long time to get into this book. The rapidly changing points of view, even in a single scene, were disconcerting, as were the grammatical and typographical errors. Even as I struggled to get through it, I loved the image of Peter struggling with the sea within. And then, WHAM! Peter got up the courage to tell Jesus he was the Messiah. That scene and the remainder of the book were amazing... so poignant... so personal. I found myself noting all sorts of wisdom for contemplation and meditation. This is a lovely little book that may change your faith journey. Stick with it, even if you have problems getting into it. It'll be worth it.

[Becca S · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what this book is, I think Bob did a phenomenal job with it. He undertook a daunting task writing much of the gospels as a novel looking at the relationship between Jesus Christ and Peter. I can't even imagine the research that went into this in order to create a historically accurate book, but also a readable story, filling in many of the blanks that just aren't included in scripture. Each chapter looks at gospel story in which Christ and Peter interacted.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I may not have fully agreed with Bob Rice's portrail of all characters but I like their struggles and thoughts. I really loved his contemplation of the woman caught in adultery. I found myself angry, sad, heartbroken and amazed all right after one another. Well worth the read.

[Bridget Nowicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read this book eight years ago. Reread it for our Women of Faith book group. I enjoyed it this second time through, though the way I pictured scenes and characters was definitely influenced by The Chosen this time around. It was interesting to compare and contrast artistic interpretations between the author and the show’s creator.

[Domenico · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not what happened, but it's what *could* have happened. The book accomplishes all that a piece of Christian fiction could hope for, which is to draw me closer to the Lord and to a desire for the sacraments. Great reading for Holy Week.

[Kathy Lamecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way Bob Rice wove all four Gospels together to tell one story of the life of Jesus. I read it in four sessions. I would have read it faster if I didn't have other things interrupting me. I hated to see the book end.