Lifted Up: A Novel

by Guy Morgan Galli

King Herod ordered the deaths every male infant under the age of two. The Christ child escaped. Many others did not. Simon, a young father, is enslaved and sent to the furthermost reaches of the Roman Empire for attempting to prevent Roman soldiers from executing Herod's evil order. After thirty years of imprisonment, Simon returns to his family in Jerusalem. He must face the demons that still torment his soul as he struggles to understand how the birth of the Messiah could result in the death of his son. In Jerusalem, Simon leads a crusade against the authority of Rome fighting for the freedoms of his loved ones, fighting to find peace after decades of pain and anger—unable to know that his epic journey is leading him toward one of history's greatest moments.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds, Religion

232 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It’s an amazing story but, unfortunately, it needed to be told better. The final third held my interest, but getting there was cumbersome.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't expect to like this book. The author has only written two other novels,and he's not a writer by profession. Sometimes new authors can be wordy, but the writing was crisp. He said what needed to be said and nothing more. I also don't care for action stories, but this one drew me in and never was boring. Further more, the opening scene, the murder of the boys under 2 during Herod's reign, prepared me to be depressed.

Galli is a divorce mediator and drew on his knowledge of emotions connected with that situation to get inside the head of the main character. I really felt what Simon felt, even though I knew he shouldn't be feeling revengeful, it was hard not to want to exact vengeance. What he went through was horrible.

I didn't see the ending coming at all. Enough said about that. Every character needed to be in the story. Nothing was wasted. Great story about an event that I've never read a fiction piece about.

I only gave it 4 stars because I don't think I'll ever read it again. It was good, but once was enough.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

i first have to say that i struggled with this book a little bit. it just seemed to drag a bit at the beginning and then it continued to drag for the next 100 pages. but once i got past the halfway mark i couldn't wait to finish it. i love stories like this one. just, WOW! it takes place during the time of jesus christs' crucifiction and tells the story of simon; he being the one who carried christs' cross when christ could no longer carry it on his own. the last 40 pages were freakn' goosebumply. it made me think of how much christ truly suffered for each and every one of us. read it if you haven't (just push through the first 100 pages or so). really, read it.

[Rich Lebaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great book, about a new father who tries to save his son from Herods decree to have all the male infants under the age of two killed, and his subsequent enslavment for wounding one of the soldiers. He eventually becomes the leader of the Zealot movement and loses his wife and children because he can't deal with his hatred for rome. Simon’s journey from bitterness and hate to understanding and forgiveness is very well depicted, and allows the reader to empathize with the main character and all that he goes through.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon is a Jewish Zealot living in the time of Jesus. His passionate hatred of the Romans drives him away from his family as he seeks to destroy them in any way he can. His goal is to find the Roman centurian who killed his infant son, and the hatred consumes him. But love draws him back to Jerusalem.

This novel transported me back into Biblical times with so many great details of the setting and the time period. I loved the way the author neatly inserted this fictional character into the well-known account of the Gospels.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon is a Jewish Zealot living in the time of Jesus. His passionate hatred of the Romans drives him away from his family as he seeks to destroy them in any way he can. His goal is to find the Roman centurian who killed his infant son, and the hatred consumes him. But love draws him back to Jerusalem.

This novel transported me back into Biblical times with so many great details of the setting and the time period. I loved the way the author neatly inserted this fictional character into the well-known account of the Gospels.

[Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this book and the beginning was definately slow. But it turned out to be written really well and to portray an era that is fascinating to me--the atmosphere around Jeruselem at the time of Christ's crucifixion. I'm fascinated by the inner turmoil of that time and what must have really been going on for all of those events to take place. This man's suggestions are fascinating and moving. I highly recommend it.

[Teanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an inspiring book set in the Roman times when Jesus Christ lived. I loved getting into the real mind set of biblical times, like I was living there. The end was amazing! The main character had been living a life of pain and hatred and at the end his hard heart is softened and his life is changed because he learns of Christ and His atonement. Powerful! I recommend it to all.
* Just a warning- the first half is a little slow, but it is definetly worth the read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easter was the best time to read this novel. The back story about Simon from the birth of Christ to his crucifixion was very interesting. It transported me to a time that one can only imagine--living under Roman law. I really liked the intermingling of Simon's life with Jesus at his trial and ultimately bearing the cross up to Golgotha. Simon's change of heart and healing as a result of this meeting, and reuniting with his family is the highlight to this very timely story.

[Andrea Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great example of historical fiction at its best, with characters whose personal struggles give support and depth to the historical account of Christ's death. I had kind of hoped to see the days following the crucifixion through the perspective of the book, but I was satisfied with the ending as it was. This story of forgiveness was both beautiful and testimony-building.

[Kilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best Christian/LDS novels I have ever read. First off, the editing is fabulous and i didn't notice a single error which is tough to say about most books let alone religious novels. The story pulls at your heart struts and ties together many biblical stories into a connected story. Guy Galli made those stories of Christ's life even more special

[Leslie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a story of suffering and pain when one does not forgive. When he learns that he wasted his life for 30 years because he couldn't forgive, it makes it even worse. Jesus Christ forgave the men who crucified him. He was an innocent man, but gave his life freely that we might live. Although life can give much heartache and pain, healing can come.

[Tristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be on every Christian's shelf. Amazing historical fiction look into the crucifixion and Simon, who bore the cross. While written for the LDS market, there's nothing in it that would keep it from being enjoyed by all Christians.

[Stefie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book as a crazy twist in the end, and somewhat frustrating how those darn natural consequences make your life so crappy.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introspective and interesting. It taught of Christ and forgiveness.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story. Didn't care for the writing style.

[Universitybabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

SLOW start great read in the end.

[Madonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story of a man whose heart of anger was truly changed through Christ. Also, I liked the surprise ending.