I, Saul

I, Saul #1

by Jerry B. Jenkins, James S. MacDonald

A modern-day Biblical scholar finds himself in a deadly race to locate the ancient parchments written by Saul of Tarsus before they are seized by nefarious antiquities thieves.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Mystery, Book Club

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[JoJo Sutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is well after 1am and I am completely enthralled in “I, Saul”.
How do I possibly begin to put into words the pure epic-ness of this story?
I have traveled from modern day Texas… back in time to the Holy Land.
I have climb Petra and glimpsed a spectacularly breathtaking view.
I have been imprisoned with Paul, down in the dark dungeon of despair.
It has been quite a journey!!!
I Saul, is unlike anything I have read before.
Adventure, danger, intrigue, mystery are just a few descriptive words that I pray will somehow explain to you what to expect when you read this book. It’s more than a book… You must experience it for yourself!!!
BEST READS OF 2013!!!

[Sandra Noel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I originally thought this was a biography of Saul/Paul when I first requested the book. I was somewhat disappointed to find out it was a mix of modern day and a fictionalized time that we know little about, but decided to keep an open mind. It started out fairly well, and I was enjoying it. I was taken aback that Scriptures set in Paul's time weren't from the King James Version. The modern language did NOT fit with the time and their way of speaking. Unfortunately, it got a lot worse after that. The modern day times were okay, but I definitely enjoyed the sections from Paul's time less and less. Originally, even though it was a fictionalized account, I felt that the character shown could very well fit with what we know of Saul/Paul. I had a definite issue with the whole issue of Naomi and Paul years and years later ending a day of preaching and service for God with tears over a lost love given what the Scriptures teach us, especially having Paul call them his "adulterous yearning". That frankly made me sick and--honestly--somewhat angry with the author. When they started changing the Bible I was ready to pitch the whole book and only finished it as I was so near the end.

This book has Paul being with (though not an actual member)of the Sanhedrin during Christ's time and the sole person to bring about the death of Stephen. The Bible says "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord..." but the book has only Saul crying out and giving all the instructions on how to kill him instead of just laying their clothes at his feet However, the Bible clearly calls Saul a "young man" at the time of Stephen's death. According to the book he would be well over 30, and at 30 he would be considered a "man" and lose the distinction of "young man". There is no way the Sanhedrin would follow a young man in such weighty matters.

I can deal with a poorly written book, a book that just isn't my cup of tea, or even a character or characters I don't care for. Call me a fanatic, purist, Bible-believer (I'll thank you for the compliment!), but DON'T mess with God's Word!! I try to be generous in my reviews even with books I don't care for or actively dislike, but I will not be gentle with someone twisting or changing the Bible. That alone dropped this from a probably 3 star to a 1 star (I can't give it no stars) review.

I received a copy of this book from Worthy Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jay Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, Saul - historical novel from the co-author of Left Behind series.



The apostle Paul has been imprisoned in Rome, awaiting execution. Nero has burned down much of the city in order to be able to rebuild it to his liking, and has blamed the growing sect of Christians now living in Rome and worshiping secretly in small "church" groups so as to avoid persecution. Not allowed even the smallest bit of sunlight, living on scant servings of daily gruel, Paul struggles to stay alive long enough to be able to deliver a message of hope, the Gospel, seconds before his planned decapitation.

Paul is visited by Luke, the doctor and Paul's trusted fellow apostle, who has traveled across the Mediterranean to be with his old friend in his time of need. Luke learns that Paul has written another of his devotees, Timothy, asking him to bring Paul his lifetime memoirs (which he calls his "parchments") in order to be able to record his final days on earth. Luke will help Paul with this last great task.

Fast forward to today's world, Augie, an American biblical expert is contacted by an old Greek friend who pleads with Augie to drop everything and fly to Rome, say nothing to anyone, and bring a firearm. No explanation - just come quick. What unfolds is a race to recover the lost memoirs of Paul, which have been recently found in ruins of the prison.

I didn't have particularly high exceptions for this book, but was pleasantly surprised. For me anyway, adding "color" to the life of Paul was just what I craved. The book's tie-in with the modern day world was also nicely done. It's interesting that I found the multi-volume Left Behind series, co-authored by Jenkins, to be a bit slow. But, not so with this book. I really enjoyed it.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I give it two stars because there were parts of it that were marginally interesting and readable.

Despite the blurb, the pacing is very, very slow. The only urgency I felt was to finish the book so I could start something else. The characters are weak and underdeveloped, the book contains inaccuracies that shouldn't be present in a project this big, and the plot is incredibly predictable.

Every character speaks in the same voice, from Augie to Paul himself. It was as if the authors didn't quite have the hang of each of their characters yet.

This book reads like a first draft. There are some interesting ideas that need to be developed by the red pen of a keen editor. The mystery and intrigue component to me was much ado about nothing.

I wanted to love this book. I really wanted to. The idea of a Christian DaVinci code was quite appealing. It did not deliver.

[Aistė Šopa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praklausiau jau prieš kelis mėn., tik nėjo parašyt atsiliepimo (kai pakeičiau knygos leidimą - pavyko). Man labai patinka romanai atvaizduojantys istorijas iš Biblijos ir ypač kai tai daro Jerry B. Jenkins (beje, jo sūnus yra serialo Chosen direktorius ir režisierius). Būtent ši istorija apipasakoja apaštalo Pauliaus gyvenimą (nuo gimimo, virsmo iš Sauliaus į Paulių, iki gyvenimo galo, kai kalėjime rašė laiškus ir savo prisiminimus). Taip pat knygoje yra ir šių dienų laiko linija, kur Pauliaus raštai atrandami ir kaip kovojama dėl jų. Vietomis buvo panašu net į trilerį. Įtraukiantis ir daug vertingos informacijos apie krikščionybę duodantis romanas.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two stories in one.
In the first story the Apostle Paul is writing his memoirs while in prison in Rome.

The second story years later was when Dr. Augustine Knox was called to Rome by a close friend to help find the memoirs that Paul had written while in Prison.

In a typical mystery that are key clues to find an object. This was no exception.

The story was full of intrigue, mystery.romance and historical detail.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready for your time-machine to transport you back in time to first century Rome, visit its dank dungeons, walk its street, see its culture and people? Are you ready to follow the life of Saul from childhood up until his final moments as Paul, the apostle? And yet, this is not just about Rome, Romans, dark dungeons or boisterous amphitheaters; it is also about present day United States and Italy with a seminary professor who races against time to save a friend and a priceless ancient manuscripts. Name it, you have it: friendship, mystery, danger, action, intrigue, history, culture with a good dose of romance thrown in!

Every once in a while, I come across a book that will not only grip and stir the heart but also has the power to alter how I view a person and history, and helps to see things in a new perspective. A book with a plot that is compelling enough to keep me glued to the very end!

Jerry B. Jenkins is no stranger to Christian fiction. Having read several of his books, I'm always in awe of his imaginative skills and his ability to translate those images into words. But I never expect such a magnum opus from this particular choice of subject. What was there to explore about Saul? How wrong I was! I, SAUL far exceeded my expectations as I finished reading it non-stop which took me just about 9 hours. It's a roller-coaster ride back and forth across time to first century Rome and present day United States and Italy.

I, SAUL is the story of Dr. Augustine Aquinas Knox, a young struggling seminary professor, who receives a text message from a friend in Italy for help. He travels the globe and, by a quirk turn of fate, is drawn into the search for a manuscript believed to be the personal, handwritten secret memoirs of the Apostle Paul. In the process, Augie not only jeopardizes his career and his own life but the life of his dear ones as well.

Interwoven into I, SAUL is the life story of Saul of Tarsus, and his astounding conversion to Christianity, along with his remarkable transformation from being the chief persecutor of the followers of Jesus Christ into one of the most faithful apostles of the first century: the Apostle Paul. The transformation of Saul into Paul is a story that affirms God can turn anyone's life around, and that He can level even with the hardest of men.

More than 2000 years ago as Paul awaits his final moments, he hides his life in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Did he manage to hide something else? What will become of Augie and his friends? Will their quest for the priceless antiquities succeed? And who are the other people after it?

I, SAUL is one story with two plots or two stories with a single plot. You can take your pick!

I, SAUL is one of the most riveting religious-historical fiction I have ever read! It is a compelling story of loyalty, friendship and love that knows no geographical boundaries. It is a story that will linger in your heart long after you turn the final page. It is an utterly enjoyable work from the master story-teller.

Reading I, SAUL, for me, is a life-changing experience!

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading the book I really got transformed in to the sun blazing Texas, visited the Holy Sites of Israel and got to visit Rome and see the fires burning , the tall rock walls, the dark and wet and inescapable underground prison, with dungeons that showed no mercy to the imprisoned. What made these places all over the world come to life was the point of view of main two characters in the book, who are Augie and Luke.

First I met , Dr. Augie Knox, by all accounts he appears to be a very fictional modern day professor at Arlington Theological Seminary who could be a very real man that we could meet or already possibly know in real life!. A second character in the book that we meet in the book and from who’s point of view we get to see Rome and get to know Paul (Saul) is Luke the Doctor, the Physician.

The book touches on a lot of subjects that Augie and Luke live through and talk about as their friends and family surround them. We get to see Augie more then just a professor, he is a devoted son with a unique relationship that he has with his mom and a somewhat complicated relationship with his dad, Augie is a man of God who tries to walk the right path in word and in action, he is a well traveled man who seem to always run in to adventures both suspenseful and life changing. He truly lives by faith, and gives away money to help someone in need while not knowing how he will get that money to provide for his own needs. What I really liked is the example that faith in the end is all that we have going for us, trust in God, to know that he will provide when all the facts show that no help is in sight. He is a loving and caring man that respects and loves his fiancé in every sense of the word!

We meet Luke who is very real person that lived and walked on our very earth and is the author of the Gospel of Luke in the Bible. Luke in the I, Saul book, is shown to us from a human point of view, as being a caring person, very selfless, willing to do anything and go to any lengths for his friend Paul (Saul) who is imprisoned and shackled for his faith in to Jesus Christ and is awaiting his end, but is still very high in Spirit and with Luke’s skills in writing, Luke writes down everything that Paul asks him to. Luke and Paul enjoyed a time of laughter, humor, priceless friendship and good, simple, gourmet food of apples, cheese and nuts, and parchment paper and writing tools were the most desired possessions. For most accurate account of Paul’s life and death I recommend you read the Bible.

With that I would like to say It has been an immerse pleasure and honor to be chosen to receive a free copy of the book I, Saul from Worthy Publishing for me to review. This is a first time for me posting a book review, I am both exited and nervous. I am a mom to a one year old, so finding the time to read anything is always a challenge, but it’s a challenge that worth every minute, for it’s that little nugget of that special time that I can have to my-self through out the day beside everything else that comes my way.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Saul, is a wonderful blend of the "Here and Now" with the "Then and There". History and Mystery, brought together by master storyteller Jerry Jenkins.
It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I was there, oh my goodness, there is so much about this book to love. You'll see special relationships and some great character development, and I flat out guarantee that by the end of the book, you will be wanting more.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know that good Christian fiction can be written - I've had the pleasure of reading some. However, this is not that. Wooden characters, stilted dialogue, thin plot, odd proto-Protestant theology in Apostolic times.

[F.B. Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

For at least the past two years, I have been in a serious funk when it comes to books. I have picked books from every genre and books that have received high praise and won many accolades. But, despite that, I just haven’t been able to find anything that truly resonates with me. More times than not, I’ll close the book after a hundred pages simply because I don’t care one bit about the characters or what might happen to them. I’ve lost count of the number of books I haven’t finished in the last two years. To be honest, it’s been frustrating. But that changed with ‘I, Saul.’ Not only did I finish the book, but I did so in one afternoon.

So, what kept the book from getting a 5-star rating? Well, I wasn’t really captivated by the modern-day timeline or the characters within it. There were a couple of plot-contrivances that I didn’t find believable at all. I also thought that the pacing dragged in a couple of places, and I, therefore, found myself quickly skimming through a few sections. Nor did the characters truly ‘grab’ me. However, I didn’t hate those chapters and those characters. I thought that they were simply serviceable.

What kept me reading were the chapters set in first-century Rome. I very much liked the overall concept of the book – that the apostle Paul may have written a memoir of his life and that it had been hidden away for the last two thousand years. I found the scenes describing Paul and Luke’s lives in Rome – and how they interacted with the various citizens – quite interesting. But what I enjoyed most was reading the excerpts from Paul’s memoir - the fictionalized account of his formative years. I, obviously, don’t know how accurate the account was, but I thought that Mr. Jenkins’ version was, at least, plausible. It was fascinating to imagine what Paul was like as a boy, as a teenager, and then as a young man. To imagine what people and events shaped him to become the Saul that we’re first introduced to in Acts chapter 8. With Paul – and Luke, Timothy, and the others – I finally found a book in which I actually cared about the ‘characters.’

Initially, I was going to give this book a 3-star rating, but I gave it an extra star because of how it reached my soul. Mr. Jenkins – through his characters – shared the gospel of Jesus, and that’s something I never tire of hearing. In fact, the ‘good news’ of God’s love for me is something my soul constantly needs to hear. There were even two or three times when I was brought to tears when Paul recounted his interactions with Jesus and spoke of his thoughts about his Savior. It was a great reminder of the beauty of Jesus and of His atoning sacrifice for us on the cross. It was a reminder of the miraculous, life-changing power of being indwelt with the Holy Spirit and having a relationship with Christ. And the last scenes with Paul – when he realized that his race was finally finished and that he was finally going to be with Jesus – were very moving. It was a reminder that, for those of us who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, to die truly is ‘gain.’ For in Heaven, my intimacy with Him will be perfect – for my sin will no longer be present to interfere with it. How wonderful that will be.

I’ve never met Mr. Jenkins or heard him speak about this book, but I’ve got to believe that he intended the underlying theme of the story to be that Jesus is worthy of praise and that a loving, obedient relationship with Him is worth whatever suffering we may face in this present world. I’ve also got to believe that his primary purpose for writing this book was to bring glory to God and to exalt His Son. And, ultimately, despite its flaws, I enjoyed this book because that theme and that purpose resonated with me deeply. I pray that they will be the theme and purpose of my life, as well.

[Sheila Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars.

This was simply outstanding. The author wove two stories together flawlessly. One contemporary, the other in New Testament times.

I am still reeling from both the story and the effect it's had on me.

[Blossom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult to get into at the start but hard to put down until the end. I will admit I had to make myself stick with this book for the first 5 or so chapters. The pace was agonizingly slow for me. I expected more from the start because there is a sense of urgency in the first chapter. But it really drags on for quite awhile. I am not a 'read the last page of a book' type, but this one I was tempted. If I'd read the last page though, I would have missed the best of this book.
I give it 3 stars because, after it finally got me into the story, I couldn't put it down until the end. Also the characters are really not well developed but personally by the end, I cared about what happened to them.
In the 'present day' there are a few primary characters: Augustine (referred to as Augie, August, Dr. Knox, Aug- the inconsistent name was a little annoying to me), Roger Michaels (or Rog), Sofia Trikoupis (Augie's fiance) and her parents Malfees (her dad) and Mrs. Trikoupis. Edsel Knox, Augie's father, and his mother ('Mom'; she has a name but it escapes me). There are other characters that personally their names were insignificant to remember, and their roles were not front and center for majority of the book.
In the days of AD 67, the characters are Paul (Saul), Luke, Primus Paternius Panthera (Roman guard at the prison where Paul is kept), and a few tertiary characters. Briefly portayed are Timothy and Mark from the New Testament. There are also references to characters from history and the Bible, such as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Peter, and Stephen.
I really think I enjoyed the "first century" portions of the book more than present day. Since I can't really say what would have happened back then, it was easier to not focus on the details that may have been out of place. The present-day portions weren't as easy to ignore things that possibly could not have happened as written. Knowing it is fiction helps some, but who doesn't want to 'believe' the story they are reading.
It was a fairly good book; could have been better in some places but some were done quite well.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In it Jenkins goes back and forth between a first century Jerusalem and modern day life to craft a pretty cohesive thriller. We start in a Roman prison. The Apostle Paul is in his last imprisonment before his impending death. Luke is going back and forth between helping him and treating victims of a great fire in Rome, a fire ostensibly started by the Emperor Nero but blamed on the Christians as a way to crush the movement. Paul is requesting his parchments, which contain his memoir, his life story. In modern day, seminary professor Augie Knox gets pulled into a case of intrigue trying to find that memoir, which was stolen during an archaeological dig.

The juxtaposition of chapters is part of what makes this a great story. There are two concurrent storylines that each keep those pages turning. The Pauline memoir is fleshed out scripture which while taking liberties to fill in the story do not seem to take away from the biblical narrative. If I had one complaint about this book, and it is a small one, I would have liked to see the final struggle in the modern day storyline expanded upon a bit more. The conclusion comes a little too easily, but again that is a small complaint, and over all I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jenkins leaves the story a little open ended, leaving the possibility of a sequel on the table. That is a book I would love to read.

[Clark Goble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Jerry Jenkins (of Left Behind fame) alternates between the modern adventures of theology professor Augustine Knox and the Apostle Paul during the first century. Eventually, the two stories collide as Knox gets caught up in the discovery of Paul's memoirs and the illicit activities of those who seek to profit from the find.

I enjoyed this book, however, Jenkins seemed to have a much better handle on the first century timeline than its modern counterpart. The characters of Paul and Luke (along with Timothy and Mark in bit parts) seem very believable and I found myself drawn into their story. However, it took me awhile to warm up to the modern timeline. The characters were less real and harder to like. By the latter stages of the story, however, I found myself fully engaged.

In my opinion, the writing in this book far surpasses that found in the majority of the Left Behind books and it was a fun read.

[KEVIN Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing was bad. Couldn't even finish the book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual-timeline novel was like Biblical fiction meets Bourne.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book essentially has three -ahem - 'story' lines. None are good.

Two of the lines centre on Saul/Paul.

1) P/S's autobiography of himself as a child and youth. Nutshell:
>'I am a very special boy. I am smarter and better and more pious than anyone else. Even the most learned scholars come to me for advice, steal my ideas and pass them off as their own. But that's OK because I am very, very special and even those guys know that I am more special than them. My beliefs are better and more important than anyone else's and I will ram them down everyone else's throats, even if it means I must kill them all to (somehow) ensure that they follow God's laws exactly as I interpret them. I am very special and so God will have to notice me more than anyone else because I am more right than anyone else about God and God's laws.'

P/S in this part of the book really reads like a sociopath though Jenkins writes it as if this is all normal behaviour. And yes, I know that part of this portrayal is to try and show the later transition but really...

2) P/S's time in the dungeon awaiting his own execution. Nutshell:
>I am very special. God has noticed me and loved me more than anyone else. I am the person who has The Truth. My conversion was more special than anyone else's. My beliefs are better and more important than anyone else's and I will ram them down everyone else's throats to my very last breath. I am very, very special and I am more right than anyone else about God and God's laws

So yeah, not really any change there at all. And, he still reads like a sociopath right to the end.

3) Augie's supposedly 'suspenseful' quest to save his friends and P/S's manuscript from the bad guys. Nutshell:
>I am a very special boy. I am smart, personable, good-looking, and athletic. But wah! daddy doesn't love me. But, that's OK because I am mommy's special boy. And I am a believer, which I will tell people every few pages, so that makes me even more special. I will take every possible opportunity including many the author creates just for this moment, to ram my beliefs down other people's throats. Because even though daddy doesn't love me, I am a very special boy, and I am good enough, and smart enough, and doggone it! People like me!*

The 'story' lines were flat. The characters were flat and largely stupid despite Jenkins insistence that all were highly educated and special. There was no suspense at all.

On top of that the messages about women are disgusting, and NO I do not mean from the ancient-times part of the book but those from supposed current time. In one place, Sofia's father calls her, in so many words, his most 'precious possession' ?!? Because yeah, women are property. But worse, Augie has heart to heart talks where he learns and seems to endorse the idea that his mother never went to seminary school to become a reverend, because of course, as a woman, she would not have done so. But on top of that, his mother explains that she stayed and continues to stay in an abusive relationship with his father because it is 'her godly duty' to do so?!? Blech!

After that there were the glaring historical inaccuracies:
>despite Jenkins' attempts to twist the facts, most credible biblical scholars agree that the writers of the gospels NEVER met Jesus. They lived, and wrote, decades after Jesus died

>at one point Augie says the supposed writings of P/S "the most important document since the New Testament".
-how does a supposed biblical and religious scholar like Augie not know that the New Testament was not, originally 'a document'
-we know that this 'document' is, in fact, a collection of writings done by different people at different times and in different places (again none of whom actually met Jesus). These writings were selected and compiled by the Council of Nicea who cherry picked only those writings that served the Council's agenda while rejecting all other documents that said something other than what the Council wished to ram down everyone's throats.

Aside from all of that, the book contradicts itself in many places. Three big, important to the 'plots' examples:
>P/S wrote his autobiography in his own writing which he insisted on his friends bringing to him
-he asks Luke to rewrite the document in neater hand and edited/smoothed out by Luke
-later, Luke decides that P/S must rewrite Luke's rewriting so that it is in P/S's handwriting rather than Luke's... because the whole process didn't start with a document in P/S's own writing to begin with?!??

>a wrapped package which might or might not even be a document is found in an ancient dungeon. One of Augie's friends steals it and tells no one about it until he must, and then only tells another friend
-and yet, somehow, the guy 2nd in charge of Italy's art police knows for certain: that the package contains a document (something even the friend didn't know for sure when he took it), what that document is, and that the document is authentic despite the odds against such a document having even survived for all of that time, if it were possible for it to have existed in the first place (because ESP?)

>Augie repeatedly notes how super duper trained, technologically equipped, and skilled the Art Squad in Italy are.
-then he is sure they cannot crack the encryption on a phone he got from a local university?
-then he is certain that none of them know what he or Sofia look like?
-then he is surprised to learn that these same police know which hotel he is staying in, you know, after he rented a car in his own name, drove it to the hotel, checked in under his own name, and paid for it with a credit card in his own name?
-Oh and even knowing that he is reluctant to give out his super-secret phone number because it might be used to track him back to his hotel, where said he would be, where he is headed, and where they already know that he is staying at?

Smaller examples:
>Augie was able to activate a credit card that had never been used before even after it had been kept in a box for years?!?
>Augie has a top-secret-hide-his-identity phone but his girlfriend's mother answers his call by greeting him by name because he showed up on her call display, with his name attached to this super-secret-never-been-used number?
>Augie discards his students' exam books after marking them? Because no student ever challenged a grade and no prof or dean ever had to look over the exam book to see if the evaluation was fair?
>5'8" is short?
>Europeans are using miles and pounds as units of measurement?
>People of ancient times were using miles and pounds as units of measurement?
>why are they driving from Napoli to Rome would it not be Naples to Rome or Napoli to Roma?
>a male and a female teenager, who are known to be courting each other romantically, are frequently allowed to be alone enough to 'share kisses' while living in Ancient Jerusalem and having super-religious parents?
>Augie has an appointment to meet someone at a specific place and time but ignores the driver's horn honk to alert him because he 'doesn't want to appear overeager'?
>the friends are whispering quietly to prevent others nearby from hearing them but still Sofia's father hears them while on his way to (not at) their table?
>Augie calls Lydia 'the first female convert to Christianity' (because women didn't exist in the Mid-East and/or in times before then? I know women are very rarely mentioned in his holy book, but surely he had to know that they existed - where does he think the men came from?, or does it only count for him if the woman is also white?)

And many more. But, this review is already too long for most people to have made it this far. I would shorten it but i) I don't care enough about the book to do so, and ii) I don't want to waste any more time on this book.

I am happy to send this book back to the library and move on to other reads. I will not be looking up other work by this author.

---

*with apologies to SNL for bringing their words into this drivel of a book. Also, it is unlikely Augie wold say doggone it! since it is likely derived from damn it! and Augie would never say anything like that. He is a special boy and a believer.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spanning the ages, from the present all the way back to when the Biblical Saul was a child, "I, Saul" is a masterfully told tale that held me in its grip from beginning to end. The book is well-written, with vivid scenes, true-to-life descriptions, and characters that you will quickly grow to care about. Although I enjoyed getting to know the present day characters of Augie, Sofia, and Roger, and enjoyed the suspense and mystery surrounding them, I most enjoyed the character of Saul himself. Saul has long fascinated me as a historical figure, with his transformation of one who hunted down Christians to one who arguably became the greatest missionary of all time. His letters to the church continue to be some of my favourite places to turn to in the Bible. Jenkins and MacDonald have succeeded at bringing Saul to life in a new way, giving me a glimpse of what his childhood may have been like and how he became the man that he did, transforming into the man we now know as Paul. As I read the scenes of Paul in prison, for the first time I really contemplated what he must have suffered over the years, and I marveled anew at the strength of his faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain Paul until the end. I love the concept of a lost manuscript that details Paul's childhood experiences, and I found the book ended too soon as I wanted to read even more! I am very pleased to find that another addition to series is on the way.

If readers are looking for an entertaining novel with scenes of suspense, betrayal, and romance, then they will certainly find that in "I, Saul". But they will also be blessed with a book that will challenge their own faith and encourage their own boldness for Jesus even in the face of adversity. I highly recommend this book and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher and FIRST Wildcard Blog Tours, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Y'all, Indiana Jones was a great movie. Several great movies even. There was a dashing young college professor and mysterious paths to important ancient artifacts. There was swashbuckling! Quipping! One time there was quicksand and there was also that one time with that huge tunnel of horrible bugs. Yow. That one guy's whole face melted right off! Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that if you pick up this book and see a blurb or a review or something (or page 380-ish where they just straight up say it) and you're like, "Dude, it's a Christian Indiana Jones book!" Just put it down and go watch Indiana Jones. This is rotten, despite its dual metanarrative pretenions.

It's half the story of Augie Knox (doesn't quite have the ring, does it) and his Divinity Professor pursuit of the "Gospel of Paul" and half the story of Luke visiting the apostle Paul in prison in Rome in the weeks leading up to his execution. Half of that plus half that other thing wants to be Indiana Jones and comes off, and honestly, I didn't think this was humanly possible, like a lamer, more predictable version of The DaVinci Code.

Imma just let that sit there for a moment. A LAMER, MORE PREDICTABLE DAVINCI CODE.

Probably I should have just written that but, as usual, I want there to be good, Christian worldview fiction out there. I want it so bad. I find enough crumbs to keep my hopes up. I took the book off the shelf and said, "Jenkins." Like somehow this was going to be his really good combo breaker and not another drop in the James-Patterson-of-Christian-Fiction bottomless pit.

One star for the story. One star for Jesus.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This theological thriller/mystery is a slow burn that jumps from present day to Paul in the first century. The set-up is interesting in the present day tale but it takes an awful long time to reveal what's actual going on. As to Paul's story - you have Luke visiting him in jail, as the epistle-writer awaits his execution. We then get pulled into a third direction with Paul's memoirs. I enjoyed the first century story -- you get Mark, Luke, Timothy and other "cameos." The present-day thriller/mystery does get a bit complicated at times - as the characters figure out who can and can't be trusted, how to find out the mystery related to St. Paul's memoirs, etc. My critique, however, rests mostly on Paul's memoirs. I'm certainly no ancient Judaic expert, but I have several qualms with the picture that is painted -- it does not seem historically accurate (the prevalence of synagogues in the first century seems quite overstated). And the clunky way the book creates an opportunity for sequel, after "wrapping things up" seems contrived. All in all, it's not a terrible book, but if you're looking for a Christian theological mystery, it's not the worst one.

[Mary Chrapliwy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book. I've read other biblical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed it, for example. Daughter of Jerusalem: a novel was 5 stars and one of the best biblical books I've ever read.

I, Saul was painful to read, had to keep forcing myself along. I kept pushing myself to see if it would improve, see if the teasers came true. None did. All the characters had the same voice and were predictable with their actions, or lack of actions. There was a decided lack of emotion and the characters were not developed well.

Normally I stop reading at 50-100 pages if I'm not captivated by the story, but I pushed myself to continue reading this one. I had high hopes that it would get better and it did not.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's great to have a fictional autobiography of Paul, but, I didn't care for the way the book was presented. It goes back and forth between Bible times and the present day, which is annoying, and the story of Saul's early days are told in flashback form. I can't help but think I'm not the only one disappointed by this book.

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book to read while on vacation...an historical, Biblical novel. It did not disappoint! Loved the interweaving of Saul's early life along with a modern day story. Quite clever by the author! Enjoyed the depiction of the Pharisaical sect that Saul grew up in and its adherence on outward conformity versus knowing God. Looking forward to reading the sequel...maybe on my next vacation!

[Sherry Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out and it has stuck with me since. I really enjoyed the two stories in one combo. I know it was a fictionalized account of Saul/Paul and Luke, but it was entirely plausible. I wish I could put into words how this book touched me but alas, I fail. I just highly recommend it.

[AMLR · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where on earth are all the 4 & 5 star ratings coming from on this book???! The writing is HORRENDOUS. I’ve read middle school book reports with better sentence structure. This one clearly got published on author recognition and subject matter alone. There’s no way writing this bad would ever make it past an editor’s desk from an unknown author.

SMH....

[Valeria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love "Left behind" series and have been thinking just recently about it. Jerry B. Jenkins has good imagination and can tell an interesting story for certain.
Even when it has it's faults I enjoyed the book because it's Christian fiction and while it was good pass time it also made me think about some fundamental truths.

[Lisa Piazza]

Sorry JJ, I'm bored!

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry B. Jenkins has written so many books I’ve loved, it doesn’t surprise me to find another¬—if older¬—title. I, Saul is a dual-time line thriller/suspense novel that straddles modern day and ancient Rome.

Dr. Augustine “Augie” Knox is a young seminary professor who becomes caught up in a dangerous race to save ancient parchments from antiquities thieves. Augie is drawn to Rome by Roger, a close friend who has been entrusted with an extraordinary find of historical significance.

But Roger and Augie aren’t the only ones who know of the documents. Written in Paul’s own hand, the pages are an account of his life from early childhood. Augie and Roger (along with Augie’s fiancée, Sofia) become entangled in an escalating game of cat-and-mouse, uncertain who to trust, all the while dodging bullets amid narrow escapes.

The timeline shifts between Augie, Roger, and Sofia in the present, with the past focused on Paul, in Roman prison, awaiting execution. He is visited by the physician, Luke (author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts), and attended by a Roman guard, Primus. Jenkins conveys Paul’s remarkable, faith-filled spirit in a manner that grabs you by the heart. The descriptions of the apostle confined in total darkness are particularly moving, especially in his eager willingness to suffer for his faith.
Luke is also intricately drawn, a compassionate man who offers what solace he can, risking capture by sneaking food to Paul under the nose of the guards. Primus, who starts his relationship with the two by looking the other way, quickly becomes a strong supporting character, torn between his growing friendship with the men and his allegiance to Rome.

A third, smaller plot line has to do with Augie’s distant relationship with his father, a renowned Doctor of Theology, whose undisclosed past plays out over a portion of the book. Chapters alternate between these three situations and Paul’s written memoir, which ends with his conversion. The writing is tight, and chapters are short with cliff-hanger hooks. If you enjoy Biblical settings combined with contemporary suspense, this novel offers a stellar blend of both.