The Immortal

by Angela Elwell Hunt

Claudia is stunned by Asher Genzano's story. Who is he? A fanatic? A religious zealot? A raving lunatic? Or is he what he says he is-a 2000-year-old man cursed with immortality and on a holy mission to prevent a global cataclysm?

Her search for answers leads Claudia into the past where myth, history, and prophecy intertwine in ancient legends of the Wandering Jew, biblical warnings about the Antichrist, and eyewitness accounts of the Crucifixion, the Inquisition, the Holocaust. What Claudia learns challenges everything she believes . . . about life, love, and God.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Contemporary

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Reviews

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing plot and I found it hard to stop reading. I was really into the history that Asher lived and his mission. The ending was so rich and caused me to think about my own faith.

[Sarlis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich weiß gar nicht wie ich dieses Buch so lange ungelesen im Regal stehen lassen konnte.
Ich meine das Buch ist womöglich nicht für jeden etwas, da es sehr stark die Themen Entrückung und Antichristen behandelt und daher für mich als ein christliches Buch verstanden wird.

Dennoch mochte ich die Geschichte, an vielen Stellen hatte ich eine Gänsehaut und aber auch wiederum Tränen in den Augen.

[F.D. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and mind blowing. Religious and practical philosophy at its best. An old tale told in a modern time.

Asher Genzano is not your typical fanatic believer in God. He has a secret. And it will keep you guessing until the very end. A sort of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, Professor Langdon. Claudia Fischer is a jury selector in New York who is a rising star in the field of “mind reading.” Alright, well not really, but it is implied throughout the story where she is referred to as the seer. At first when I started reading this story, I was hands down skeptical about liking the direction it was going, but after a few chapters, I was swallowed whole, needing to know whether she was going to commission herself in Rome, Italy, for a new line of work she would set out to do. I think, because this story is not what I thought it was going to be from the beginning, made me want to keep reading regardless. There is something to say in that alone. Mystery perhaps? There were a plethora of riddles Claudia felt compelled to solve. I enjoyed the journey she took and her support team.

Although elements of the Wandering Jew and the Antichrist remained ambiguous through the story, it still made for an interesting read. For some reason, reading a story that talks and describes reading other stories in the book, I find facinating. I think the world in general has forgotten about the power of books contain. This story is living proof of that.

If not for making me want to eat Italian food and drink espresso’s, I give the story a 5 out of 5 stars for its amazing ability to captivate me until the end. No matter what background you are from, reading The Immortal will surely broaden your horizon.

F. D. Gross
Grelldragon@hotmail.com

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Angela Elwell Hunt has penned a novel full of intrigue, mystery and a touch of science fiction. This was definitely a page turner.

Claudia is stunned by the mysterious man's story. Who is he? A fanatic? A lunatic? Or could he be what he claims to be- a 2,000-year-old man cursed with immortality?

The mystery only deepens as she searches for answers, attempting to untangle myth from history, legend from lore. Everything he says seems true-and yet it challenges everything Claudia believes.

I really liked both of the main characters and found it interesting how their mentoring positions changed as the story progresses. Both Claudia and Asher discover the essence of Christian faith as they muddle their way through the political channels at Global Union in Italy.

[Brittany Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely do books leave an impact like this, so many years later I still think about it occasionally.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love all of Angela Hunt's books. However, this one wasn't as good as the other books she has written in my opinion.

I had a little bit of a hard time getting through it at times. But, I did read it and it was just okay.

It was about a woman named Claudia who is a lawyer. After winning a case she has been working on that will make her career soar she gets offered a job with a company in Rome. The job entails screening people to hire for this company. They feel she is the best. The job should take about six months.

Claudia hires a translator that knows a lot of different languages but she is still suspicious of him.

The book is a take on the Wandering Jew.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunt explores an interesting topic with this book, a topic with enormous potential yet falls far short of that potential. The obsession with the end times and the anti-Christ always makes me wary after the abominable travesty that was the Left Behind series. Hunt avoids sinking even near that level but the whiffs of eschatology are enough to turn me off the book. Some events in the book fall in too convenient lines for me to really engage with the book. This book does not survive round two of the purge from my personal collection.

[Lulu McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the book started good and had a great base, it ended very badly. It took the story of the Wandering Jew, and completely "retold" it in the worse way. Not my type of book, at all. Would be good for a church as a "come to Jesus" type of material.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed so many books by this author, so I was genuinely surprised by how I felt while reading this one. Something just didn’t click for me. After I finished it, I actually went and checked the reviews to see if something was wrong with me! Turns out, I wasn’t alone—others had a similar reaction. Of course, plenty of readers really loved it too, which just goes to show how differently a book can land depending on the reader. It wasn’t a hit for me, but I’m still a fan of the author and looking forward to what comes next.

[Henry McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Hunt takes the legend of the Wandering Jew and builds a modern day thriller about the rise of the Antichrist and efforts to take him down. The characters are crafted with real personalities, personal issues, fears, and courage, including one character, Asher Genzano, who claims to be 2,000 years old and living with the curse of immortality. Claudia Fischer is hired by a new world peace organization to screen applicants for jobs with the organization. She meets Asher, recommends he be hired to work closely with the head of the organization as a translator. She begins to doubt Asher and his wild claims. As she learns more about him and the organization, she comes to believe him. She is quickly swirled into a storm of intrigue where nothing seems to be what it appears to be on the surface.
The tension and excitement of the story pulls the reader in and holds you there, wondering what the next reveal or the next crisis will be. Ms. Hunt creates a world based in Rome and carries the reader to the heights of international politics and the inner struggles of Asher and Claudia as they deal with what they see and how it affects them spiritually.
Highly recommend this book.

[Abian Meijden · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a meaningful message and intriguing characters, The Immortal has been a pleasure to read.
The novel does well to capture the vibrancy of of Rome as it weathered through the sands of time - it felt as if I was right there with Claudia.
Definitely recommended for readers looking for a relaxing, slow-paced read.

[ScriptLit-You Are What You Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Angela, but this book was just not good onany level. The heroine is super bland and unlikable and her Karen like ways were to much to handle. The relationship between her and Asher felt forced and unrealistic. I could go on and on but I won't. I really disliked it, and only gave it a two star because I like the author. This would easily be a one star.

[Sybil Luft · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not aware of this author but thought the book sounded interesting. Unfortunately, while the premise was good and I did finish it, I felt the ending was preachy and predictable and rather disappointing.

[Dessi Bradecich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story encouraging one to think

Great story about a person on a mission. Colorful characters and a storyline taking you from NY to Rome to Jerusalem through the ages.
Highly recommend it.

[Leighann Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy 😂 well that wasn't as compelling and well-written as I remember. I remembered this as being from a fairly agnostic angle but it's very "touched".

The late 90s computer technology (I think there was a single internet search in the whole book even though she has ISDN) was nostalgic along with the reference to OJ Simpson and some others, and the pre-EU glimpse of Italy reminded me what a big deal it was especially among evangelicals when this was starting to be a thing. My parents were as fanatical as Asher and I literally grew up searching for the antichrist.

There are a few things I don't buy (not the immortality, I can see that lol or suspend disbelief for that). Like that the ONLY time he's violent after centuries is this one singular incident .

And when he respawns- how does he have clothes and notebook and such? How is he writing on the bank of the river? And how did he keep a crown of thorns safe through centuries while he traveled around and died repeatedly. Especially if he just kind of blew off the first couple hundred years.

I get that it's a different time and all, but the fact that Asher was racist against the Roma, and also never tried to go to places to tell them the good news, spending all his time in Rome when people who speak dying languages maybe never heard the gospel, that's the whole point of that theory- the great commission.

The author's prejudices are blatant and the constant uncontested praise of Reagan (who according to the timeline was before the main character was born most likely) was so gross. The one time he gets knocked down is when Asher says the thought he might be the antichrist 😂

So much importance is put on Rome as the most holy city (wouldn't that be Jerusalem? I found that odd), but the Vatican is not part of God's plan (just the Baptist church of Rome 😂 which is a real place) and Catholics are clearly considered the enemy (not just by the man who was tortured by them in the inquisition)

The ending is interesting and leaves open if the man was actually just delusional. A year before K-Pax came out, which this reminds me of.

All said it had a lot of potential and many high points, but I don't like being proselytized in my novels. I am interested to read more by this author though.

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of how blind man can be.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very interesting read. Just interesting to look at life through another's perspective.

[Marilyn Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Virginia Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal favorite. One I often reach for time and again.

[Darby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different, brilliant take on religion and immortality...loved it!

[Heather Rae Lapointe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made me think. It was intriguing and really thought provoking. I really enjoyed it.

[Macey Elizabeth Thornburg]

DNF

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. Absolutely loved this book! One of my very favorite Angela Hunt books!!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book to show why Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.

The book opens with the case of Senator Chad Mitchell, which our main character, Claudia Fischer the jury consultant, is working on. She wants to make a name for herself, her business to thrive, and hopes this case gets her the exposure she needs.

When the case is over, which her side does win, Claudia is approached by a man named Darien Synn. He wants her to come work for Global Union, a group set on world peace, and it's president, Santos Justus for six months. They want Claudia's jury consultant skills.

The problem is the company is in Rome, Italy. Claudia works in New York and is engaged to a psychiatrist. Also, her sister is pregnant with her second child. Her fiance tells her to accept. This job could bring Claudia world-wide fame and her assistant can take of her business while she's gone. Her sister says it's okay for her to be out of the country doing this. She has her husband.

Claudia takes the job. One of her assignments is to screen people applying for jobs. One such person is Asher Genzano. He seems honest. He seems trustworthy. Nothing seems suspect. Except he is great with languages. He can speak every language without any trace of an accent. This ability puts him in the position of translator, many times for Claudia who is only fluent in English and barely learning Italian.

One night, Claudia finds out her fiance is cheating on her. I didn't find this part written well. She calls. A woman answers. He's cheating. They end it. No hurt feelings. They act like friends afterwards. She calls him for advice all the time. They say they weren't really in love, but it just doesn't seem believable. This is one of the only faults I find in the story.

Claudia and Asher become close, not romantically, just better friends. He reveals his secret. He's the Wandering Jew. As legend has it, The Wandering Jew is a man who taunted Jesus on His way to the Crucifixion. Jesus curses him to walk the earth until His Second Coming. He's immortal. Asher thinks it his job to rid the world of that generation's antichrist. He's gotten rid of Napoleon and Hitler, to name a few. He knows doing so delays the Second Coming and it keeps him alive longer than he wants to, but it gives time for more to come to Christ. He believes he has to rid the world of Santos D. Justus.

Of course, this scares Claudia. She has let a madman into the company. She's let in someone set on killing the president of the company. Obviously, she doesn't believe Asher.

Is Asher for real? What is his purpose? Is Santos Justus the antichrist? Will Asher succeed? Will Claudia believe?

Angela Hunt has written a beautiful, powerful, well-researched story on the legend of the Wandering Jew.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claudia has a gift for reading people that she has turned into a career. Fresh from a not guilty verdict for her most recent client, she is whisked away to Rome. Global Union wants her assistance vetting their new employees. They want only the best, most open and honest employees, a perfect venue for Claudia's talents. Interviews in Global Union consists of speaking to several people, often over several days. Claudia settles in quickly, occasionally stymied by the fact that she doesn't speak Italian, or French, or German. When Asher enters her office, applying for a translator position, Claudia is initially shocked to hear his perfect American accent. As she talks to him, several of his vague answers confuse her. As she gets to know him, she finds he is likable, hard-working, but some of his vague answers still confuse her. In trying to solve her questions about him, she finds herself involved in a much bigger conflict. Her faith in God, or lack of faith, will be questioned and tested as she is challenged to solve the enigma who is Asher. A man who claims to have been born "In the year of our Lord." Two thousand years ago.

I am a lover of history, and the glimpses into historical figures and times were an interesting part of the story. Rome is the center of the Catholic Church, so I expected religion to weave its way through the tale as well (and it IS and Angela Hunt book!). Seeing how the characters approached religion, each in his or her own way, and how their beliefs change as the characters interact with each other had me analyzing my beliefs as well. Enjoyable, though-provoking story.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review from my old blog...

When I first started to expand my reading taste to authors previously unknown it was about the time that Hunt published this book. I read the summary of the book and dismissed it as too science fiction like for me. I had yet to experience all that I currently love about Hunt's now trademark "expect the unexpected" and her ability to push the limits to tell beautiful truths about God.

After having read the book I can't believe that I ever passed it up. Hunt did it again. I definitely did not expect the twist at the end but I could see a bit of foreshadowing, and almost expected the twist and held my breath for it to occur. Of course, I am a forgetful person so I forgot that little inkling until after I read the outcome of the twist. (Of course I can't say what the twist is, otherwise I would give away the plot of an excellent book that I strongly recommend).

Hunt tells a breathtakingly beautiful story of salvation for both of the main characters who struggle with issues common to many Christians or I should say people that grow up speaking the Christian lingo in the typical American Christian world. Well, the main character grew up in America but the title character did not. (I'm terrible... I've already forgotten his actual name as well).

As mentioned before I definitely recommend this book, especially to the adventurous and those lovers of history.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. It grabbed me in the beginning with vivid story-telling. The novel contained many layers: suspense, philosophy, faith. It delved into some interesting questions along the way: Would it be a blessing, or a curse to have immortality on earth? What should the purpose of our lives be? Should we seek to figure out who THE Antichrist will be? The only thing I didn't like about the book was that the author went back and forth from telling the story through the main character's eyes (first-person) to a narrative stance. I followed the story without any problems, but it was a little weird when a conversation including the main character was told as a narrative.

ADDENDUM, 2011: I reread this in August 2011. the stuff about switching from first person to third person didn't bother me at all this time. But what's weird is that although I said I LOVED the book, I didn't remember that much about it 4 years later. Hmmm.

If I were to rate it today I'd give it a 4 perhaps. But since I originally gave it a 5 I will keep it that way.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating story is a wake-up call to all Christians that we are not to be so preoccupied with looking for Jesus to come back that we forget to see our Savior as He really is in our lives today. Plenty of plot twists and surprises, lots of suspense, and Hunt's way of drawing the reader into the story make The Immortal a must-read. Angela Hunt is one of my favorite author.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Freud's Nightmare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting 'what if' take on the legend of the Wandering Jew that also manages to beautifully address multiple issues of faith; most obviously the grace versus works debate. Hunt does an excellent job illustrating the sometimes confusing concept of the spirit of antichrist and the Antichrist, as well as exploring the importance of maintaining balance when studying prophetic events. She communicates multi-layered lessons to the reader throughout withour compromising the storyline, creating characters and situations so vivid that they sufficiently compensate for a writing style I found to be a bit too simplistic for my taste. Overall, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction.

[Anna Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising and surprisingly good story, about a woman who can read people so well she's practically a mind reader. Claudia is a jury consultant, who is hired by attorneys to handpick jurors. She doesn't know her heart though, and her life is derailed when she accepts a job for an charismatic international "peace ambassador" who uses his money and connections to force his own brand of peace on the world. I really loved this part, although I disagreed with some of the main points. Well written and well researched, the story flowed and the pace and dialogue were great. Definitely a must read, for anyone