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Godhead #2
Abaddon
Il precedente romanzo di James Morrow, "L'ultimo viaggio di Dio", si concludeva con Dio che riposava, apparentemente morto, nella sua tomba tra i ghiacci dell'Artico. In questo nuovo romanzo la Santa Sede ha deciso di vendere il corpus dei alla Confederazione battista americana. I nuovi proprietari, convinti che un resto di vita spiri ancora nelle divine membra, hanno collegato il corpo a una gigantesca macchina cuore-polmoni e ne hanno fatto l'attrazione principale di un parco giochi a tema biblico. Ma Martin Candle, giudice di pace di Abaddon, Pennsylvania, ha deciso di portare Dio davanti alla Corte internazionale dell'Aia e di processarlo per tutte le ingiustizie e le catastrofi che hanno colpito nei secoli il genere umano.
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
20 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
James K. Morrow
102 books328 followersBorn in 1947, James Kenneth Morrow has been writing fiction ever since he, as a seven-year-old living in the Philadelphia suburbs, dictated “The Story of the Dog Family” to his mother, who dutifully typed it up and bound the pages with yarn. This three-page, six-chapter fantasy is still in the author’s private archives. Upon reaching adulthood, Jim produced nine novels of speculative fiction, including the critically acclaimed Godhead Trilogy. He has won the World Fantasy Award (for Only Begotten Daughter and Towing Jehovah), the Nebula Award (for “Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge” and the novella City of Truth), and the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award (for the novella Shambling Towards Hiroshima). A fulltime fiction writer, Jim makes his home in State College, Pennsylvania, with his wife, his son, an enigmatic sheepdog, and a loopy beagle. He is hard at work on a novel about Darwinism and its discontents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 6, 2007
I found Blameless in Abbadon for $4.00 at Half-Price Books (brand-new trade PB version) a month or two ago & finally got to read it.
It's a sequel to Towing Jehovah, taking place a few years later when an Arctic earthquake shakes the body of God loose from its icy tomb. It is determined that God is comatose, not dead - and the body is taken to Orlando, where it become the centerpiece of Celestial City USA.
However, the story primarily revolves around Martin Candle, a Justice of the Peace in Abbadon Township, Pennsylvania, whose personal losses drive him to to put God on trial at the Hague, to answer for all the injustices in the world. In the process, Martin meets Jonathan Sarkos (aka the Devil) and takes a tour through the brain and mind of the comatose Deity.
The theodices that Martin and his team of Jobians investigate went a little over my head - but I found the story very moving and, like its predecessor, it made me question and reason out some of my own beliefs. I found the following quotes (right near the end of the book) rather illuminating:
"When Yahweh was operational, humanity's obligation wasn't to worship him, for crissakes. It was to celebrate His creativity and stand forevermore opposed to His malice."
"Dogs are experts at love, and yet they know nothing of God"
Recommended if you've already read Towing Jehovah - which I also highly recommend.
It's a sequel to Towing Jehovah, taking place a few years later when an Arctic earthquake shakes the body of God loose from its icy tomb. It is determined that God is comatose, not dead - and the body is taken to Orlando, where it become the centerpiece of Celestial City USA.
However, the story primarily revolves around Martin Candle, a Justice of the Peace in Abbadon Township, Pennsylvania, whose personal losses drive him to to put God on trial at the Hague, to answer for all the injustices in the world. In the process, Martin meets Jonathan Sarkos (aka the Devil) and takes a tour through the brain and mind of the comatose Deity.
The theodices that Martin and his team of Jobians investigate went a little over my head - but I found the story very moving and, like its predecessor, it made me question and reason out some of my own beliefs. I found the following quotes (right near the end of the book) rather illuminating:
"When Yahweh was operational, humanity's obligation wasn't to worship him, for crissakes. It was to celebrate His creativity and stand forevermore opposed to His malice."
"Dogs are experts at love, and yet they know nothing of God"
Recommended if you've already read Towing Jehovah - which I also highly recommend.
June 16, 2014
So, interested in reading a 400+ page comedy on the subject of Theodicy? Interested in venturing literally into God's skull? Do you ever feel you've been slapped upside the head by the Ontological argument? This book is for you. Never has the problem of evil been more fun.
For those of you who aren't into the fun branch of theology known as theodicy, it deals with the paradox of if god is all knowing, all powerful and all good, why is there evil in the world? This has been debated by theologians and philosophers for millennia, and Morrow doesn't really dumb down the subject here. All of the popular defenses and theologians from Anselm, Aquinas, and most memorably Augustine are all here, Augustine again literally. Job, the legendary sufferer also plays his part, along with Lot, Adam and Eve, Noah, and a bunch of other prominent figures from the bible.
Morrow does come up with a solution, and it won't really please anyone. He knows this too, and that makes it all the better. All in all a great read. Technically it's a sequel to Towing Jehovah, but works just fine as a stand alone read.
For those of you who aren't into the fun branch of theology known as theodicy, it deals with the paradox of if god is all knowing, all powerful and all good, why is there evil in the world? This has been debated by theologians and philosophers for millennia, and Morrow doesn't really dumb down the subject here. All of the popular defenses and theologians from Anselm, Aquinas, and most memorably Augustine are all here, Augustine again literally. Job, the legendary sufferer also plays his part, along with Lot, Adam and Eve, Noah, and a bunch of other prominent figures from the bible.
Morrow does come up with a solution, and it won't really please anyone. He knows this too, and that makes it all the better. All in all a great read. Technically it's a sequel to Towing Jehovah, but works just fine as a stand alone read.
July 21, 2021
I couldn't wait for this to be released, and I was not disappointed.
October 9, 2016
From suburban Philadelphia (with references both to TLA on South Street and to Lower Merion (I lived 3 blocks from the border at City Line when I lived in Phila)) to The Hague for a "Trial of all Existence" (also noted: a Hostetler farm in central PA (the author lives in State College), and Olean NY (only 70 miles from where I live now)), the author pulls few punches in this novelized analysis of theodicy and the intellectual gymnastics undertaken to support the innocence or guilt of Jehovah in the question of aspects of evil or negative events befalling humanity throughout history.
As a satire, Abaddon did not let me down... this novel sits well within some of my views of society and theistic (or a-theistic) sentiment.
I bought this book prior to attending a book-signing back in January 2015 in State College PA for Morrow's newest novel Galapagos Regained. I was able to speak with the Mr. Morrow, and relayed that I'd enjoyed two other of his novels (The Philospher's Apprentice, and The Last Witchfinder), had just purchased his God-head trilogy (and read the first, Towing Jehovah, the week before), and was anxiously looking forward to Galapagos. I'll be following this in a few weeks and will read The Eternal Footman.
As a satire, Abaddon did not let me down... this novel sits well within some of my views of society and theistic (or a-theistic) sentiment.
I bought this book prior to attending a book-signing back in January 2015 in State College PA for Morrow's newest novel Galapagos Regained. I was able to speak with the Mr. Morrow, and relayed that I'd enjoyed two other of his novels (The Philospher's Apprentice, and The Last Witchfinder), had just purchased his God-head trilogy (and read the first, Towing Jehovah, the week before), and was anxiously looking forward to Galapagos. I'll be following this in a few weeks and will read The Eternal Footman.
July 11, 2015
One of the funniest books I have ever read in my life. If I had underlined every phrase I thought was funny, there would be ink on every page, in almost every paragraph.
The second part of a trilogy that began with “Towing Jehovah.” Exploring a world where God’s dead body is the hot topic. Incredibly funny, culturally aware, poking fun at every race, age, religion, and stance.
Particularly loved the bits written from the Devil’s point of view: The one thing he got wrong was my age. While poets commonly produce their best work in their thirties, and mathematicians typically tend to burn out in their twenties, miscreants tend to be late bloomers. Hitler didn’t get around to invading Poland until he was fifty. Ceausescu got the hang of atrocity only after turning sixty-four. I am an eternal seventy-two.
Highly recommended.
The second part of a trilogy that began with “Towing Jehovah.” Exploring a world where God’s dead body is the hot topic. Incredibly funny, culturally aware, poking fun at every race, age, religion, and stance.
Particularly loved the bits written from the Devil’s point of view: The one thing he got wrong was my age. While poets commonly produce their best work in their thirties, and mathematicians typically tend to burn out in their twenties, miscreants tend to be late bloomers. Hitler didn’t get around to invading Poland until he was fifty. Ceausescu got the hang of atrocity only after turning sixty-four. I am an eternal seventy-two.
Highly recommended.
August 22, 2011
A dense but engaging read about the unlikely topic of theodicy, Blameless in Abaddon is equal parts serious theological examination and snarky comedy. In other words, classic Morrow. Blameless in Abaddon is technically a sequel to Towing Jehovah, but it could easily be read independently. I also think it's a much stronger book and wrestles with more interesting issues than its predecessor. Morrow is not religious, and I'm consistently impressed with his ability to address the problems within organized religion in an academically serious (yet occasionally hilarious) way without painting all religious people as unenlightened luddites. His books definitely aren't for everyone, but this liberal Christian enjoys them very much. 4 1/2 stars.
May 26, 2025
I loved Towing Jehovah, and Blameless in Abaddon is just as good. It takes place after the events in Towing Jehovah, but God's corpse has been moved to Florida as the prime attraction in an evangelical theme park. It has been discovered that God's brain is still active, so therefore He is not nearly as dead as assumed in the previous novel. Our protagonist is a county judge whose wife dies in a tragic accident, and who has just been diagnosed with cancer. Thus Blameless in Abaddon plays out like a more (or less?) insane version of the Book of Job, where God is put on trial for crimes against humanity and our protagonist must valiantly take up the prosecution against the accused.
Morrow is not only a great writer, he is hilarious too, and Blameless in Abaddon is no exception. The middle section of this novel consists of an expedition sent into God's brain, and inside our protagonist meets some of the greatest victims of all time, Lot, Eve, and, of course, Job. Perhaps what I enjoyed most about this novel though was that behind the wacky adventures and irreverent humor lies a deep exploration of Theodicy, also known as the problem of evil in a world created by a benevolent, omnipotent, and omnipresent God. Seemingly Blameless in Abaddon is a giant lesson in theology masquerading as a work of speculative fiction, and Morrow pulls no punches.
For those like myself who enjoy speculative fiction that combines philosophy and religion Blameless in Abaddon is a book that should leave you intellectually stimulated and entertained.
Morrow is not only a great writer, he is hilarious too, and Blameless in Abaddon is no exception. The middle section of this novel consists of an expedition sent into God's brain, and inside our protagonist meets some of the greatest victims of all time, Lot, Eve, and, of course, Job. Perhaps what I enjoyed most about this novel though was that behind the wacky adventures and irreverent humor lies a deep exploration of Theodicy, also known as the problem of evil in a world created by a benevolent, omnipotent, and omnipresent God. Seemingly Blameless in Abaddon is a giant lesson in theology masquerading as a work of speculative fiction, and Morrow pulls no punches.
For those like myself who enjoy speculative fiction that combines philosophy and religion Blameless in Abaddon is a book that should leave you intellectually stimulated and entertained.
August 18, 2023
"Was God dead, as the nihilists and the New York Times believed? Only in a coma, as the Vatican and Orthodox Judaism dearly hoped? Or – the Protestant consensus – was the Almighty as spiritually alive as ever, having merely shed His fleshly form as a molting mayfly sheds its husk?" (3)
"Above all loomed the question of causality. Assuming that the object was in fact a corpse, by what means and for what purpose did God die, and why now? Had He been murdered by a force even greater than Himself? Taken a good, hard look at His favorite species and forthwith succumbed to despair?" (21)
"An organization has been formed. Our name: the Job Society. Our claim: in fashioning a world where deadly viruses thrive, defective genes prosper, earthquakes kill, droughts destroy, and wars lay waste, the Main Attraction at Celestial City USA acted in a manner that can only be called murderous. Our mission: to bring this matter before the International Court of Justice in The Hague." (77)
"Once the Defendant set the universe in motion, should He have impressed His will directly on its workings for the sake of reducing His creatures' pain?" (367)
"Consider the alternative: a universe devoid of gratuitous catastrophe.... Only by building random annihilation into the scheme of things could the Defendant have secured a world containing charity, compassion, courage, patience, self-sacrifice, and ingenuity." (367-8)
"Above all loomed the question of causality. Assuming that the object was in fact a corpse, by what means and for what purpose did God die, and why now? Had He been murdered by a force even greater than Himself? Taken a good, hard look at His favorite species and forthwith succumbed to despair?" (21)
"An organization has been formed. Our name: the Job Society. Our claim: in fashioning a world where deadly viruses thrive, defective genes prosper, earthquakes kill, droughts destroy, and wars lay waste, the Main Attraction at Celestial City USA acted in a manner that can only be called murderous. Our mission: to bring this matter before the International Court of Justice in The Hague." (77)
"Once the Defendant set the universe in motion, should He have impressed His will directly on its workings for the sake of reducing His creatures' pain?" (367)
"Consider the alternative: a universe devoid of gratuitous catastrophe.... Only by building random annihilation into the scheme of things could the Defendant have secured a world containing charity, compassion, courage, patience, self-sacrifice, and ingenuity." (367-8)
March 21, 2024
I loved the first 250 (of 404) pages of this novel. Morrow's dark humor suffused every page. And then, sadly, came the trial and its aftermath; 120 pages of detailed "testimony" about human suffering that even the characters in the book characterized as "overkill." Why didn't the author listen to them? Then we come to the bizarre conclusion in which the protagonist takes "justice" into his own hands using the axe that Noah employed in building his ark . . . really?
The premise of the novel, that a man, suffering from cancer, whose wife died in a car accident enlists a group of fellow "Jobians" to file suit against God in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. is a fantastical take on Elie Wiesel's play, The Trial of God, tackling tough questions about the problem of evil: whether or not the deity is responsible for the pain and suffering of the innocent. Can such a topic be addressed with humor? Yes, Morrow does it; well, at least for two-thirds of his book.
The premise of the novel, that a man, suffering from cancer, whose wife died in a car accident enlists a group of fellow "Jobians" to file suit against God in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. is a fantastical take on Elie Wiesel's play, The Trial of God, tackling tough questions about the problem of evil: whether or not the deity is responsible for the pain and suffering of the innocent. Can such a topic be addressed with humor? Yes, Morrow does it; well, at least for two-thirds of his book.
June 24, 2020
A fantastic follow-up to "Towing Jehovah," in which God is revealed not to have died, but to have been in a self-induced coma. The human protagonist of this story, a judge of faith in need less of redemption than of a break from punishing tragedies, is a great foil for the disgraced atheistic sea captain of the first book. God goes on trial in the Hague for crimes against humanity, spurred on by narrator Satan. More top-notch outrageous satire here, coupled with heady debate on the question of God's goodness in presence of evil. Morrow also extends on characters and scenarios from "Bible Stories for Adults" and "Only Begotten Daughter," which are quite rewarding to encounter here.
August 27, 2025
Enjoyed this, although not quite as much as Towing Jehovah. Judge Candle is not a particularly sympathetic main character, even though I agreed with his action lowered him greatly in my view.
The parts inside god's brain with the "ideas" of key personnel in the bible stories were my favorite sections.
I don't think biblical arguments should be taken seriously in a court of international law, but it's a fiction story and the whole book depends on that, so I'll live with it.
I'll almost certainly look at the third book in the series sometime in the future.
The parts inside god's brain with the "ideas" of key personnel in the bible stories were my favorite sections.
I don't think biblical arguments should be taken seriously in a court of international law, but it's a fiction story and the whole book depends on that, so I'll live with it.
I'll almost certainly look at the third book in the series sometime in the future.
June 4, 2023
This second in the Godhead series is quite different from the first. While the first was satirical, it could be read for amusement. This book has humor but the satire is so blatant as to become more outright criticism. Heavy discussions of philosophy and theodicy can make this a slog but also presented in terms that are easily understood. Nothing in religion or philosophy is spared the skewer. Quite often brutal in its descriptions of life's atrocities and disasters not to mention the protagonist's cancer progression, this is at times difficult to read.
January 21, 2019
This was not exactly what I expected as a sequel to Towing Jehovah. It was, however, very engaging and thought provoking. I had a hard time putting it down. I am looking forward to what author Morrow delivers in the 3rd book.
March 16, 2020
Irreverent, thought provoking and very funny. While I identify as a Christian I found thus book a compelling satire on theodicy that makes some good points without being polemic. It makes me want to check out the rest of the Godhead trilogy.
November 19, 2019
This is philosophy and religion couched in a wonderful novel. I loved everything but the ending - which I didn't like, but I would read it again and skip the end.
December 31, 2021
3.5 of 5 stars
April 23, 2022
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The trial is epic, I would suggest the reading of this book to everyone curious about life’s mysteries.
July 17, 2022
Much more conceptual than its predecessor. I was disappointed by the retconning!
August 24, 2023
WARNING for sad animal stuff. It doesn’t overwhelm the story but it is there.
The rest, though? An an affirmed and furious atheist? 👩🍳 💋
The rest, though? An an affirmed and furious atheist? 👩🍳 💋
May 30, 2024
“If everything was rational, nothing would happen.”
-Fyodor Dostoyevsky & Martin Candle, JP
-Fyodor Dostoyevsky & Martin Candle, JP
September 8, 2024
A good book about theodacy.
September 29, 2024
Putting God on trial. What an incredibly great idea. I loved this task of Job and this novel.
January 26, 2025
Heretic and hilarious at the same moment; the end is a bit of a bummer, but who knew that a book centred on theodicy and theological argumentation would be so funny and interesting
February 19, 2025
Yet another novel that is theologically astute and darkly humorous. It isn’t upbeat, though, as human suffering is the theme.
Does the author pander to Christians seeking a fix of evangelical declarations of God’s benevolence? Not really. Like Towing Jehova, this is about ideas. You’ll enjoy this more if you’ve read a bit of theodicy. If not, you’ll learn while you go.
It seemed to go on, at times, the additional material unnecessary to the tale. Still, I think Morrow’s style engaging throughout.
This is inventive work.
Does the author pander to Christians seeking a fix of evangelical declarations of God’s benevolence? Not really. Like Towing Jehova, this is about ideas. You’ll enjoy this more if you’ve read a bit of theodicy. If not, you’ll learn while you go.
It seemed to go on, at times, the additional material unnecessary to the tale. Still, I think Morrow’s style engaging throughout.
This is inventive work.
December 1, 2018
This book loosely follows the action in "Towing Jehovah." In "Towing", the body of God falls from the sky and lands in the ocean, sparking a worldwide crisis of faith. In "Abaddon," we find that God's body is comatose, not dead, and its hauled to Florida where a theme park about miracles is built around his body.
Our main character, Martin Candle, is a Job-like character who is an upright, Republican judge who loses his wife, his house, and his health, and decides he wants to bring a lawsuit against God in the world court and request that God's body be taken off life support. The rest of the book is a trip through the arguments about theodicy, or the problem of evil - how can an all-good, all-powerful God allow evil and suffering in the world?
The book does get bogged down a bit in theological and philosophical arguments, but it's also leavened with humor. If you didn't know much about what the various arguments are in the area of "the problem of evil," you'll be well-versed in them after reading this book. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular book to other readers unless you enjoyed "Towing Jehovah," but I do love James Morrow's blasphemous books in general.
Our main character, Martin Candle, is a Job-like character who is an upright, Republican judge who loses his wife, his house, and his health, and decides he wants to bring a lawsuit against God in the world court and request that God's body be taken off life support. The rest of the book is a trip through the arguments about theodicy, or the problem of evil - how can an all-good, all-powerful God allow evil and suffering in the world?
The book does get bogged down a bit in theological and philosophical arguments, but it's also leavened with humor. If you didn't know much about what the various arguments are in the area of "the problem of evil," you'll be well-versed in them after reading this book. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular book to other readers unless you enjoyed "Towing Jehovah," but I do love James Morrow's blasphemous books in general.
November 30, 2023
dualism as answer to theodicy...not sure if it's completely satisfying but journey was decent
December 11, 2017
Se ne “l’ultimo viaggio di Dio” è l’avventura la protagonista, in questo secondo romanzo della “trilogia di Dio” di Morrow è più l’aspetto teologico e biblico che viene sottolineato. La prima parte del libro in cui per vari motivi il corpo di Dio viene posto al centro di un enorme parco “divertimenti “ a tema e organizzato per redditizi pellegrinaggi ( il corpo di Dio è collegato a una specie di grande macchina per la rianimazione in quanto si sospetta che sia solo in coma e non definitivamente spirato) è stata per me un vero peso, stavo decidendo di abbandonare questa lettura. Ma non l’ho fatto, perché quando finalmente si arriva al succo della storia ( ossia il protagonista, un giudice di pace, in seguito a tragiche vicende personali decide di fare causa a Dio per crimini contro l’umanità chiedendo la condanna a morte definitiva staccando “la spina” della macchina che lo tiene in vita) si apre tutto un diverso interesse. Notevole il viaggio che il protagonista fa all’interno del cervello di Dio per avere le prove da portare al processo, dove si scopre che il pensiero divino è platonico e vi si ritrovano “le idee”, gli archetipi, di tutte le cose create. Con i compagni di viaggio (tra cui S. Agostino come se fosse il Virgilio dantesco, ma più somigliante a una moderna guida turistica per viaggi organizzati ) l’incontro con Noè, Abramo e Isacco ( questo brano è memorabile) il Behemoth, Lot a Sodoma, Jeshua sul Golgota (come non ripensare al Pilato de il “Maestro e Margherita”?) . E i bellisssimi capitoli del Diavolo ( Jonathan Sarkos di professione sarto ) inseriti come monologhi di una delle più sfolgoranti idee di Dio, il male. Meno coinvolgente la parte del processo.
ps: Abaddon oltre ad essere il nome del paese della Pennsylvania in cui vive e lavora il protagonista, è uno dei nomi più evocativi dell’inferno: è il nome ebreo sia di un angelo caduto sia del pozzo senza fondo dal quale l’angelo lancia i suoi richiami.
ps: Abaddon oltre ad essere il nome del paese della Pennsylvania in cui vive e lavora il protagonista, è uno dei nomi più evocativi dell’inferno: è il nome ebreo sia di un angelo caduto sia del pozzo senza fondo dal quale l’angelo lancia i suoi richiami.
April 5, 2016
Storyline: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Writing Style: 2/5
World: 1/5
I'm sure Morrow is deserving of some appellation: "king of small ironies," or perhaps "wizard of the quip," but, ultimately, this wasn't enough to turn Blameless in Abaddon into an engaging novel. The book is divided into three parts. The first is chock full of witty observations that entertain for a short time. Most of them, however, would have fit just as neatly into another book Morrow was writing and did not appear to uniquely build up this world. In the second part we get what is undoubtedly the funniest and quirkiest contribution, but it isn't used for anything constructive. It was a wasted novelty. The book really gets to its point with the third part, and here Morrow not only manages to sneak in a little drama, but also lays out a theological debate. If the goal of the novel were simply to relate the sides of said debate in a entertaining way, then Morrow can claim success. If you were looking for either a quality novel or a convincing argument, then be ready for disappointment. As to the former, the book reads as if Parts I and II were penciled in so Part III would have a plot. As to Morrow's main argument (?point, ?thesis, ?observation), the two pages he gives near the end to wrap up the previous 100 pages of argument was both hasty and unsatisfactory. I don't know enough about the author to know what he really believes or why he writes, but I'd conclude from this book that it was simply to dabble in and disrupt others' attempts at coherent theories or theologies.
Characters: 2/5
Writing Style: 2/5
World: 1/5
I'm sure Morrow is deserving of some appellation: "king of small ironies," or perhaps "wizard of the quip," but, ultimately, this wasn't enough to turn Blameless in Abaddon into an engaging novel. The book is divided into three parts. The first is chock full of witty observations that entertain for a short time. Most of them, however, would have fit just as neatly into another book Morrow was writing and did not appear to uniquely build up this world. In the second part we get what is undoubtedly the funniest and quirkiest contribution, but it isn't used for anything constructive. It was a wasted novelty. The book really gets to its point with the third part, and here Morrow not only manages to sneak in a little drama, but also lays out a theological debate. If the goal of the novel were simply to relate the sides of said debate in a entertaining way, then Morrow can claim success. If you were looking for either a quality novel or a convincing argument, then be ready for disappointment. As to the former, the book reads as if Parts I and II were penciled in so Part III would have a plot. As to Morrow's main argument (?point, ?thesis, ?observation), the two pages he gives near the end to wrap up the previous 100 pages of argument was both hasty and unsatisfactory. I don't know enough about the author to know what he really believes or why he writes, but I'd conclude from this book that it was simply to dabble in and disrupt others' attempts at coherent theories or theologies.
July 20, 2022
This is the first Morrow novel to disappoint me. It starts off well, with a judge becoming a modern day Job and putting God on trial. Very good satire for the first one hundred pages or so. I didn't even mind that he retconned Towing Jehovah.
The middle portion of the book is a big snooze, and exercise in dorm room theology. I was very familiar with these arguments, because I have a background in philosophy and religious studies, but there is nothing new here. It would have been much more interesting to have explored this world where God is comatose, or spent more time with the defense in the case, who is based on C. S. Lewis.
The book becomes riveting again when we get to the court scenes, but then Morrow doesn't know how to end it. This book felt like a waste of some good ideas, which I have never thought of anything else by Morrow.
The middle portion of the book is a big snooze, and exercise in dorm room theology. I was very familiar with these arguments, because I have a background in philosophy and religious studies, but there is nothing new here. It would have been much more interesting to have explored this world where God is comatose, or spent more time with the defense in the case, who is based on C. S. Lewis.
The book becomes riveting again when we get to the court scenes, but then Morrow doesn't know how to end it. This book felt like a waste of some good ideas, which I have never thought of anything else by Morrow.
March 3, 2009
The second in a loose trilogy by Morrow, the book continues the story of what we, as humans, want to do with the physical body of God which, presumed dead in the first book "Towing Jehovah" , is in fact merely in a coma. The main character is a modern-day Job and has decided to bring suit against God in the World Court in The Hague, The Netherlands for all the suffering He has caused or criminally failed to stop.
Like Neil Gaiman, Morrow combines snappy dialogue, well-honed satire, awesome research, and moments of beauty equal to the moments of horror or despair. As a Christian, I think this series should be required reading for other Christians across the spectrum. It's not that this book nails hypocritical hides to the wall (I mean it does, but not just that) it's that the book will make you think and reflect on what you believe and why. It doesn't challenge one's belief so much as it examines everything in the same precise light.
Like Neil Gaiman, Morrow combines snappy dialogue, well-honed satire, awesome research, and moments of beauty equal to the moments of horror or despair. As a Christian, I think this series should be required reading for other Christians across the spectrum. It's not that this book nails hypocritical hides to the wall (I mean it does, but not just that) it's that the book will make you think and reflect on what you believe and why. It doesn't challenge one's belief so much as it examines everything in the same precise light.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews