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Christ on a Bike
Cerys receives an unexpected inheritance but there are rules attached. Three simple rules that must be followed.
As she settles into her new life, she begins to feel trapped: the past is ever-present. She convinces herself that the villagers are watching her and, desperate to control her own future, she tries to break free…
As she settles into her new life, she begins to feel trapped: the past is ever-present. She convinces herself that the villagers are watching her and, desperate to control her own future, she tries to break free…
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2024
22 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Orla Owen
3 books56 followersOrla Owen's latest book, Christ On A Bike, was published by the award winning Bluemoose Books in January 2024, and has been longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award 2025.
Her writing focuses on the darker side of family life, the parts that go on behind closed doors.
Before she became a writer, she was an actress and drama practitioner, studying Theatre at Bretton Hall College of the Arts.
In 2016 she was picked to be mentored by Sarah Savitt at Virago, and in 2020 she won second place in the Sandstone Press Short fiction competition.
The Lost Thumb was published in March 2019, and PAH was published in July 2021.
Her writing focuses on the darker side of family life, the parts that go on behind closed doors.
Before she became a writer, she was an actress and drama practitioner, studying Theatre at Bretton Hall College of the Arts.
In 2016 she was picked to be mentored by Sarah Savitt at Virago, and in 2020 she won second place in the Sandstone Press Short fiction competition.
The Lost Thumb was published in March 2019, and PAH was published in July 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 21, 2025
25th January 2024 is Publication Day for Orla Owen, Queen of the quirky page-turner! 🥳
When award-winning indie publisher, Bluemoose Books announce their new releases, I always know I’m in for a treat, they habitually publish top-drawer lit. What I have read to date from Bluemoose is far, far better than your average ‘bestseller’. They discover tales with ‘edge’ that the big corps don’t want to know about, or are too blinkered to see. Good. I’m glad. Bluemoose have a niche position in the tough world of publishing. I like what they do, how they do it, and what they stand for.
Discovering their latest signing was none other than the BRILLIANT Orla Owen filled me with such exuberance. I knew I needed her latest novel in my life ASAP. I’ve read Orla’s other two books, The Lost Thumb and PAH so I had a feeling it would be to my taste.
I was right.
Two sisters. A death. The windswept Welsh coast. A bloke on a pushbike who just keeps… appearing? All wrapped up in a life-changing offer that must be too good to be true, surely.
Give me the ‘unexpected inheritance’ trope in a book, and I’ll push to the front of the queue for it!
So, this ‘edge’. Did ‘Christ on a Bike’ have it? Yes it did. Shed loads. Complex characters. Baggage. Oh Christ, the baggage…! A clipped dialogue and inner monologues running through that felt kind of detached? It felt odd at times. But I like that. I lapped it up. Did it get to a point where I was in some kind of fever-dream, an of out-of-body experience? Yep! Turning those final twenty or so pages like a woman possessed, I was.
What. A. Ride.
This has been such a thrilling reading experience, not only thanks to Orla and her story and character ingenuity, (no one writes female rage like she does) but also, to my husband, who exclaimed ‘CHRIST ON A BIKE!!’ unnecessarily loudly every single time he spotted me with the book in my hand! Oh, how we’ve laughed over the title! He says he loves my ‘wacky’ taste, and asked for regular updates of my reading progress.
‘I need to know what the f*** is going on just as much as you do!’
Christ.
Thank you kindly to Kevin at Bluemoose for my early copy.
When award-winning indie publisher, Bluemoose Books announce their new releases, I always know I’m in for a treat, they habitually publish top-drawer lit. What I have read to date from Bluemoose is far, far better than your average ‘bestseller’. They discover tales with ‘edge’ that the big corps don’t want to know about, or are too blinkered to see. Good. I’m glad. Bluemoose have a niche position in the tough world of publishing. I like what they do, how they do it, and what they stand for.
Discovering their latest signing was none other than the BRILLIANT Orla Owen filled me with such exuberance. I knew I needed her latest novel in my life ASAP. I’ve read Orla’s other two books, The Lost Thumb and PAH so I had a feeling it would be to my taste.
I was right.
Two sisters. A death. The windswept Welsh coast. A bloke on a pushbike who just keeps… appearing? All wrapped up in a life-changing offer that must be too good to be true, surely.
Give me the ‘unexpected inheritance’ trope in a book, and I’ll push to the front of the queue for it!
So, this ‘edge’. Did ‘Christ on a Bike’ have it? Yes it did. Shed loads. Complex characters. Baggage. Oh Christ, the baggage…! A clipped dialogue and inner monologues running through that felt kind of detached? It felt odd at times. But I like that. I lapped it up. Did it get to a point where I was in some kind of fever-dream, an of out-of-body experience? Yep! Turning those final twenty or so pages like a woman possessed, I was.
What. A. Ride.
This has been such a thrilling reading experience, not only thanks to Orla and her story and character ingenuity, (no one writes female rage like she does) but also, to my husband, who exclaimed ‘CHRIST ON A BIKE!!’ unnecessarily loudly every single time he spotted me with the book in my hand! Oh, how we’ve laughed over the title! He says he loves my ‘wacky’ taste, and asked for regular updates of my reading progress.
‘I need to know what the f*** is going on just as much as you do!’
Christ.
Thank you kindly to Kevin at Bluemoose for my early copy.
January 13, 2024
I knew absolutely nothing about this book before diving in, though I’ve read Orla’s previous books (The Lost Thumb and PAH) so I knew it was going to be good. I’m therefore going to keep this review brief because if you can read it without knowing much about it, it will grip you hard!
Orla weaves greed and jealousy into a cleverly plotted novel. If you’re anything like me (an introverted bookworm who loves the sea) then, at first, you’ll be very envious of Cerys. But almost immediately you’ll sense the trepidation of the well known mantra - if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
I absolutely loved Christ on a Bike. It is clever, well thought out, had characters you’ll both love and hate, and you’ll finish it wondering whether or not it would be a good idea to pay a visit to a small church in Wales. I was glued to it from the very first page. Highly, highly recommended!
Orla weaves greed and jealousy into a cleverly plotted novel. If you’re anything like me (an introverted bookworm who loves the sea) then, at first, you’ll be very envious of Cerys. But almost immediately you’ll sense the trepidation of the well known mantra - if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
I absolutely loved Christ on a Bike. It is clever, well thought out, had characters you’ll both love and hate, and you’ll finish it wondering whether or not it would be a good idea to pay a visit to a small church in Wales. I was glued to it from the very first page. Highly, highly recommended!
June 30, 2024
Orla Owen's "Christ on a Bike" is a dark and intriguing exploration of human nature, focusing on the impact of sudden wealth on individuals and their relationships. The story revolves around Cerys, a meek and humble protagonist who unexpectedly inherits a fortune. However, this windfall comes with a strict set of rules: Cerys cannot share her wealth with anyone under any circumstances, and her finances are closely monitored by a specially-appointed financial adviser. The keepers of the estate have an uncanny ability to detect any breaches of compliance, adding an element of constant tension to the narrative.
The novel delves deep into themes of greed, jealousy, and resentment, portraying how people often blame others for their own life circumstances. It is not a happy or comforting read by any means. Owen's portrayal of friends and families winning big on the lottery and the subsequent extreme changes in their personal wealth is both compelling and disturbing. The author takes this concept further by incorporating a uniquely selfish legal agreement that governs the inheritance, highlighting how wealth can possess individuals and alter their behavior in unexpected ways.
Cerys’s sister, Seren, serves as a stark contrast to the protagonist. Struggling to run a family home, Seren cannot even dream of the excess wealth that her sister has inherited by chance. While Cerys remains empathetic, Seren becomes increasingly volatile. The disparity between the sisters creates an uncomfortable mix of guilt and envy, illustrating how money can amplify existing character traits and exacerbate familial tensions.
One of the strengths of "Christ on a Bike" is Owen’s ability to create a sense of unease and moral ambiguity. The narrative keeps readers guessing and questioning the motivations of the characters. The wealth comes with a price, and the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Cerys are thought-provoking and unsettling.
However, the novel does leave some areas underexplored. The enigmatic figures who enforce the inheritance rules and monitor Cerys’s compliance are a fascinating aspect of the story. A deeper dive into the backgrounds and motivations of these individuals would have added another layer of intrigue to the plot. This slight missed opportunity notwithstanding, the novel remains engaging and thought-provoking.
"Christ on a Bike" is a unique and darkly tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy mysterious fiction with a psychological edge. Owen has crafted a narrative that is both compelling and disturbing, with a keen insight into the darker aspects of human nature.
The novel delves deep into themes of greed, jealousy, and resentment, portraying how people often blame others for their own life circumstances. It is not a happy or comforting read by any means. Owen's portrayal of friends and families winning big on the lottery and the subsequent extreme changes in their personal wealth is both compelling and disturbing. The author takes this concept further by incorporating a uniquely selfish legal agreement that governs the inheritance, highlighting how wealth can possess individuals and alter their behavior in unexpected ways.
Cerys’s sister, Seren, serves as a stark contrast to the protagonist. Struggling to run a family home, Seren cannot even dream of the excess wealth that her sister has inherited by chance. While Cerys remains empathetic, Seren becomes increasingly volatile. The disparity between the sisters creates an uncomfortable mix of guilt and envy, illustrating how money can amplify existing character traits and exacerbate familial tensions.
One of the strengths of "Christ on a Bike" is Owen’s ability to create a sense of unease and moral ambiguity. The narrative keeps readers guessing and questioning the motivations of the characters. The wealth comes with a price, and the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Cerys are thought-provoking and unsettling.
However, the novel does leave some areas underexplored. The enigmatic figures who enforce the inheritance rules and monitor Cerys’s compliance are a fascinating aspect of the story. A deeper dive into the backgrounds and motivations of these individuals would have added another layer of intrigue to the plot. This slight missed opportunity notwithstanding, the novel remains engaging and thought-provoking.
"Christ on a Bike" is a unique and darkly tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy mysterious fiction with a psychological edge. Owen has crafted a narrative that is both compelling and disturbing, with a keen insight into the darker aspects of human nature.
December 28, 2023
I went in blind to this one and I’m glad I did and would recommend you do too.
All I'll say is it’s a story about two sisters, an unexpected inheritance and a possible Christ who keeps popping up on his bike.
This is another great book from Orla. I was immediately pulled into the story and I thought the two characters of Cerys and Seren were utterly brilliant.
Cerys is the much kinder of the two and a much nicer person all round. (loved her love of hand soaps!) I found Seren though to be much more interesting. With her jealous and spiteful attitude to the situation, she comes across as a much more honest character, perhaps saying what many of us would be too polite to say in her situation.
We’ve all thought about winning a large amount of money and the opportunities it would bring but I liked that this book showed the downsides to that too. A reminder that the grass isn’t always greener!
Loved the lush Welsh setting too. All in all a hugely enjoyable read.
Huge thanks to Bluemoose for an early copy of this one.
All I'll say is it’s a story about two sisters, an unexpected inheritance and a possible Christ who keeps popping up on his bike.
This is another great book from Orla. I was immediately pulled into the story and I thought the two characters of Cerys and Seren were utterly brilliant.
Cerys is the much kinder of the two and a much nicer person all round. (loved her love of hand soaps!) I found Seren though to be much more interesting. With her jealous and spiteful attitude to the situation, she comes across as a much more honest character, perhaps saying what many of us would be too polite to say in her situation.
We’ve all thought about winning a large amount of money and the opportunities it would bring but I liked that this book showed the downsides to that too. A reminder that the grass isn’t always greener!
Loved the lush Welsh setting too. All in all a hugely enjoyable read.
Huge thanks to Bluemoose for an early copy of this one.
April 9, 2025
I feel the MC could have had a much better time had she simply filled the entire house with cats. Or literally one dog.
July 5, 2024
It is an interesting concept, wonderfully written, about two sisters, Cerys and Seren. Cerys unexpectedly inherits, but there're strict rules that are required in order to keep the inheritance and people who know if you break those rules. Cerys is loveable and empathetic. All the things her sister isn't. Seren is so very jealous of her sisters newfound wealth. It's a story of greed, grief, and people's reactions to money. It's left me thinking, which I love in a book. It's best not to know too much about the book before you read it, so I'll leave it there. It's unexpectedly brilliant and well worth the read x
March 18, 2024
I picked this up on a whim at work -mainly as I was intrigued by the comparisons to my queen, a miss Shirley H Jackson, which, I have to say, I did NOT (personally) pick up on …
Though that doesn’t mean there weren’t elements of the surreal, and darkly sinister at play here. It’s just that they weren’t nearly as memorable, or indeed creepily -and ominously, written as the gothic literary legend herself.
My one piece of advice (though no one’s asked lol) for approaching this book, go in “blind” -as the kids these days say, and brace yourself for a somewhat biblically (or at least morally challenging) modern day fable, that (most certainly) uniquely explores the cruelly constructed contraptions (say that five times fast) of living in a capitalistic and consumerist lead society.
Materialism, murder(?), and mysticism abound, “Christ on a bike” (though I personally prefer the exclamation of “holy crap on a cracker” myself) will this book have you morals well and truly stumped by the end.
3.5 stars
Though that doesn’t mean there weren’t elements of the surreal, and darkly sinister at play here. It’s just that they weren’t nearly as memorable, or indeed creepily -and ominously, written as the gothic literary legend herself.
My one piece of advice (though no one’s asked lol) for approaching this book, go in “blind” -as the kids these days say, and brace yourself for a somewhat biblically (or at least morally challenging) modern day fable, that (most certainly) uniquely explores the cruelly constructed contraptions (say that five times fast) of living in a capitalistic and consumerist lead society.
Materialism, murder(?), and mysticism abound, “Christ on a bike” (though I personally prefer the exclamation of “holy crap on a cracker” myself) will this book have you morals well and truly stumped by the end.
3.5 stars
February 12, 2024
I always thought Stephen King was the master of taking something mundane and turning it sinister, Orla Owen has thrown down the gauntlet with Christ On A Bike, with something as simple as a set of rules she has weaved a tale that leaves the reader on edge for the whole book.
Cerys is a lovely lady, such a generous person and easily likeable and due to her unselfish nature she inherits something truly magnificent…the sort of thing you day-dream about, all worries gone and a bright future ahead. But there is a catch, a strict set of rules that cannot be broken for any reason, the sort of rules you wave away at first with a “pfft no worries mate”, but soon they come to eat at you. Whilst reading this book I felt an unbearable pressure, I knew this wasn’t going to be a happy ending type book, as the story progressed and it became obvious what outcome was on it’s way that pressure intensified so much it almost became something you could touch, I so desperately wanted a different ending but as they say “Rulez is Rulez”.
The setting was wonderful, on the coast of Wales, plenty of expected rain and wind but still Owen was able to paint us a picture of paradise. The plot was tight, the sort of story the Twilight Zone was made for. Fantastic characters, the adorable Cerys, the team working to make her life blissful, the real actual Jesus Christ and his bike (I’ve no idea what strings Owen had to pull to get him onside but kudos to her) and Cerys’ sister Seren…I was enraptured by this masterpiece.
This is another fabulous book published by Bluemoose, they must have some giant magnet at their HQ for attracting brilliant book after brilliant book.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2024...
Cerys is a lovely lady, such a generous person and easily likeable and due to her unselfish nature she inherits something truly magnificent…the sort of thing you day-dream about, all worries gone and a bright future ahead. But there is a catch, a strict set of rules that cannot be broken for any reason, the sort of rules you wave away at first with a “pfft no worries mate”, but soon they come to eat at you. Whilst reading this book I felt an unbearable pressure, I knew this wasn’t going to be a happy ending type book, as the story progressed and it became obvious what outcome was on it’s way that pressure intensified so much it almost became something you could touch, I so desperately wanted a different ending but as they say “Rulez is Rulez”.
The setting was wonderful, on the coast of Wales, plenty of expected rain and wind but still Owen was able to paint us a picture of paradise. The plot was tight, the sort of story the Twilight Zone was made for. Fantastic characters, the adorable Cerys, the team working to make her life blissful, the real actual Jesus Christ and his bike (I’ve no idea what strings Owen had to pull to get him onside but kudos to her) and Cerys’ sister Seren…I was enraptured by this masterpiece.
This is another fabulous book published by Bluemoose, they must have some giant magnet at their HQ for attracting brilliant book after brilliant book.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2024...
January 22, 2025
2.5⭐️
Why’s every contemporary author obsessed with writing Black-Mirror-ish books?
Just stop. Please.
Why’s every contemporary author obsessed with writing Black-Mirror-ish books?
Just stop. Please.
March 21, 2024
Ordered this because of the feature in the bookshop newsletter! A good, fast paced read. Another review said it reminded them of Black Mirror which is absolutely the vibe. I found the characters really well developed and the concept really interesting. I felt it could have been longer and given more description of the origins of the experiment and the people runnings the show. Overall really enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who likes a thriller/dystopia and some good commentary on wealth and greed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
I must now read all of Orla Owen’s novels
January 30, 2025
Is it me or is this book flawed? Supposedly it’s a book with a moral tale about the corrupting influence of money and wealth except that the particular set up in this story is itself corrupted such that it’s not at all comparable to ‘what if I suddenly won the lottery’. It’s a flawed study from the get go. I don’t understand what the point of adding all the extra rules and weirdness was.
Moreover, I ‘d say the real themes of this book are childhood trauma, grief, and mental health, thus the money part just feels like an unnecessary distraction. It’s a shame because the writing (needless repetition aside) is good. I wish the author had just written either a purer ‘someone gets unexpectedly wealthy and this is how it played out’ book OR ‘this is a family dealing with a tragedy and it’s after effects’.
Also, I kept getting The Truman Show vibes which was distracting because that’s not what this book was. Or was it? Tbh I’m not even sure. If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be ‘warped’, and not in a good way.
Moreover, I ‘d say the real themes of this book are childhood trauma, grief, and mental health, thus the money part just feels like an unnecessary distraction. It’s a shame because the writing (needless repetition aside) is good. I wish the author had just written either a purer ‘someone gets unexpectedly wealthy and this is how it played out’ book OR ‘this is a family dealing with a tragedy and it’s after effects’.
Also, I kept getting The Truman Show vibes which was distracting because that’s not what this book was. Or was it? Tbh I’m not even sure. If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be ‘warped’, and not in a good way.
September 14, 2024
I can’t do it. Im sorry I can’t finish it.
It’s so repetitive. The whole premise of the book is that our main character, Cerys, signs a prayer book and gets gifted a random very wealthy man’s inheritance. It includes a house in the middle of nowhere in Wales, the house has no curtains and also comes with a yearly salary of £60,000.
Sounds great at first but paranoia kicks in, has no support system there, gets wrapt up in her new money and now cannot leave because she would have to pay it back! Oh no! The general concept of the book I do like, but oh my god it’s the same chapter over and over again.
The worst part is, is that I can TELL that there will be some twist ending? Like Cerys will be killed, or she will find a loophole or some other actual climactic ending but oh my god I can’t make it.
Maybe I’ll pick it up again one day if I have finished every book ever. Or knowing me I will just skip to the last 10 pages.
It’s so repetitive. The whole premise of the book is that our main character, Cerys, signs a prayer book and gets gifted a random very wealthy man’s inheritance. It includes a house in the middle of nowhere in Wales, the house has no curtains and also comes with a yearly salary of £60,000.
Sounds great at first but paranoia kicks in, has no support system there, gets wrapt up in her new money and now cannot leave because she would have to pay it back! Oh no! The general concept of the book I do like, but oh my god it’s the same chapter over and over again.
The worst part is, is that I can TELL that there will be some twist ending? Like Cerys will be killed, or she will find a loophole or some other actual climactic ending but oh my god I can’t make it.
Maybe I’ll pick it up again one day if I have finished every book ever. Or knowing me I will just skip to the last 10 pages.
July 16, 2025
I found this book supremely annoying. I must admit it spun around my head for the whole night after I finished it, so I guess that speaks for its effectiveness. But it started off as lighthearted chick lit, which is not my thing, and then it veered off into psychological thriller / dystopian territory, which is absolutely not my thing, so I suppose I was just the wrong audience for it. I found the whole premise really silly, but once it was there I would have hoped for a bit of a deeper psychological exploration of motives and backgrounds. As it was, it felt like the author came up with a premise and a conclusion, but wasn't really sure how to fill in the bits in between. Or perhaps she just came up with the catchy title and fleshed it all out based on that.
As for the chatty writing style, I enjoyed it at the beginning but later it didn't feel right for the story, and ended up repetitive and a bit sloppy.
As for the chatty writing style, I enjoyed it at the beginning but later it didn't feel right for the story, and ended up repetitive and a bit sloppy.
September 29, 2024
I think I might have gone with 2.5 stars - I’m really not sure what to say about this book - and I’m not sure I actually enjoyed it but I didn’t hate it either - a lot of the story just didn’t make much sense and I didn’t find anything to line about the characters either.
August 5, 2024
This is a fascinating book whose summary premise quoted for selling purposes could easily put potential readers off.
Unexpected inheritances are nothing new in literature, and in this case the author doesn’t go into much detail to justify such an unlikely occurrence.
Cerys Jones, a single middle-aged office worker in London, seems to be just in the right place at the right time. Visiting her native Pembrokeshire, she shelters from rain in a church where an open coffin is resting. She is alone, and out of respect, though she is not religious, signs the visitor book. Hers is the only signature in the book, which leads to her unlikely inheritance, a magnificently designed house, car, and allowance; though there are rules as to what she can do and how she must live.
I was actually put off by the premise, but Owens’s skill is in creating a gradual atmosphere that something isn’t right.
Is it a reward or a punishment? And just exactly who are the overseers? It is best thought of as a sort of fable, with a dusting of folk horror. Rather than contemporary domestic bliss, there’s more of a Shirley Jackson type feel to the writing. Though any of the characters are difficult to warm to, they are not the problem, rather it is the dangers of a capitalist society.
Unexpected inheritances are nothing new in literature, and in this case the author doesn’t go into much detail to justify such an unlikely occurrence.
Cerys Jones, a single middle-aged office worker in London, seems to be just in the right place at the right time. Visiting her native Pembrokeshire, she shelters from rain in a church where an open coffin is resting. She is alone, and out of respect, though she is not religious, signs the visitor book. Hers is the only signature in the book, which leads to her unlikely inheritance, a magnificently designed house, car, and allowance; though there are rules as to what she can do and how she must live.
I was actually put off by the premise, but Owens’s skill is in creating a gradual atmosphere that something isn’t right.
Is it a reward or a punishment? And just exactly who are the overseers? It is best thought of as a sort of fable, with a dusting of folk horror. Rather than contemporary domestic bliss, there’s more of a Shirley Jackson type feel to the writing. Though any of the characters are difficult to warm to, they are not the problem, rather it is the dangers of a capitalist society.
October 20, 2024
This book could have been 100 pages longer to give more detail about the benefactor, the legacy and the “guardians”. I appreciate that wouldn’t suit all readers, but I wanted more background on how it all came about. I thought the jealousy and greed, on an already fragile mind, was well pitched and relatable. 3.5*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2024
Big fan of this book! It's dark and quirky in a very Shirley Jackson way.
January 20, 2025
I have personal cabin fever from reading about this house
March 14, 2024
The book is very well written, and the story hooked me to it. There is some darkness and mystery in this fiction. Also, questions about rules and what money can actually buy. I really enjoyed reading Christ on a Bike.
June 25, 2025
There's a wonderful sense of dread that builds throughout this story of greed, jealousy, consumerism and loneliness. Good stuff. I'd love to know more of the backstory but at the same time I think that would not improve the book. The ambiguity makes it much more fun.
January 28, 2024
an incredibly breezy read. wonderful writing, a gripping narrative, and beautiful pacing. so ready to be a movie, this one.
a short and thrilling read with lots to teach about who we are as people and how too much of everything, especially money, is cruel.
a short and thrilling read with lots to teach about who we are as people and how too much of everything, especially money, is cruel.
September 11, 2024
4.5 stars
Read
June 29, 2024Cerys, the protagonist in Orla Owen's novel "Christ on a Bike," has had her share of misfortunes in life. She was a child when her parents died falling off a collapsing cliff in Wales. Growing up, she struggled to find belonging, companionship, and happiness. But her life of unearned woe seems to be rewarded when, in a rainstorm, she stumbles into a church funeral and, being the sole mourner, recites a prayer for a deceased stranger. Then, through a surreal twist of fate, she becomes the inheritor of that stranger's Welsh vacation estate, which includes a contingent of estate-servicing employees at her beck and call. But the compensation for Cerys's selflessness, in forms of a luxury allowance, fine furnishings, a diet of chocolate truffles, and unlimited leisure time comes with a bizarre stipulation–she's prohibited from sharing any of her new capital. This rule does not sit well with Cerys sister Seren who, despite having her own family and living in middle-class breakeven purgatory, rationalizes an ethical entitlement to half of Cerys's unmerited property. The would-be-generous Cerys feels guilty she cannot share a fortune she does not deserve with Seren, and the covetous Seren thinks it is karmically unjust she be condemned to a life of working for a paycheck. Neither sister is particularly religious, but both are behaviorally and psychologically engaged in a kind of long-contemplated philosophy regarding God's participation in rewarding beneficence and punishing greed. Cerys's ethical quagmire is particularly manifest in her path crossings around the Welsh countryside with a bicyclist she believes might be Jesus Christ himself, cometh again, to monitor how she's spending her lottery. The German sociologist Max Weber wrote on concepts of "theodicy," philosophical defenses reconciling the omnipotence of God with the world's suffering, injustice, poverty, and, like in "Christ on a Bike," selfishness. Weber addressed what he called the "theodicy of good fortune." In various world religions, people have sought to interpret the connection between religious ethics and materialism in ways the former appear as a function of the latter. In "Christ on a Bike," strata of religious ethics are determined by class. On one platform of the theory we find Seren, who believes in morally-justified revolt and vengeance by those like her who seem otherwise fated to economic disadvantage, what Weber calls banausic occupations. On another platform, Cerys represents fortunate people without duties to work, but dissatisfied with the facts of their successes or fortunes, desiring good fortune to feel morally legitimate, wanting to be convinced she deserves her wealth in comparison to others. Cerys's fatal conflict is that the rules of the class she's accidentally crossed up to restrict her from wild generosity, from giving any of her sudden unearned success back to her now lesser-class sister. Ironically, Cerys feels no choice but to be greedy. Despite what remains of her middle-class values, the middle-class employees who maintain the dividends of Cerys's good fortune are her bosses, and the money, the root of all evil, comes to control her ethics, not the other way around. Outside a sunny seaside cafe, Cerys confronts the stalker on a bicycle she's recognized as Christ. "Pardon me, are you Jesus?" The man replies, ‘And who are you, lady? Are you who you’d like to be, or are you behaving how you think you should? Would you have become someone different if your life had been less tragic? It’s what’s on the outside that shows up, but the inside of you, could it be that it doesn’t match your exterior?"
January 13, 2024
A startling good read. A bit spooky and very unsettling. Opens up lots of moral questions about wealth and lifestyle.
What would you do!?
What would you do!?
November 2, 2025
I wish there was even more of this! sequel, prequel, spin-off ...
can't really say more about it without spoiling and better to dive in without expectations
big society subjects touched on
also now I want to visit Wales
can't really say more about it without spoiling and better to dive in without expectations
big society subjects touched on
also now I want to visit Wales
January 16, 2024
This is Orla Owen's third novel, and, having loved the first two, was really looking forward to this and it lived up to my hopes and then some. Christ On A Bike is such a good novel. A completely unique plot that will leave you wondering what you would do if you found yourself in the situation. Can't say much about the story without giving any spoilers, but the story will grip you straight away and keep you turning the pages to find out where it's heading till you reach the terrific end. This will certainly be one of my favourite reads of the year. Can't recommend it highly enough. Another absolute winner from Bluemoose, a trademark of quality.
April 8, 2024
Any review of seen of ‘Christ on a Bike’ has mentioned going in cold. So I did. And you should too. Stop reading this review now and just pick it up.
So let’s go for a ride…
I really enjoyed this. It's 260 pages of wonderful writing that delves into a "What if" scenario. It tackles the pain of death and the pain of life – as Cerys inherits something that essentially she can't share. Because there are rules. Imagine winning big on the lottery and having terms and conditions attached to how you could use that money. Which starts off a struggle for Cerys.
She wants to share with her friends and her family but as she continues to be unable to the novelty of the inheritance wears off. Plus she believes she is being watched and followed by who she thinks is Jesus on a Bike. So, what began as enjoying the greener grass ends in her being a doubting Thomas and questioning if she wanted it all in the first place. Which doesn't please sister Seren.
This has been likened to Black Mirror and Tales of the Unexpected – but for me it screams Inside No.9.
The closing chapters will leave you with more questions than answers, and scratch your head you will. But as with INN, the payoff is pure brilliance and really gets you thinking. About the cycle of life, and death, and what people do for love and how far they will go to get what they want.
Man, I want to know more about this scenario and surely there must be scope for a prequel/sequel.
I raced through this in 2 days and I'll gladly read more tales from Orla's dark and twisted mind.
So let’s go for a ride…
I really enjoyed this. It's 260 pages of wonderful writing that delves into a "What if" scenario. It tackles the pain of death and the pain of life – as Cerys inherits something that essentially she can't share. Because there are rules. Imagine winning big on the lottery and having terms and conditions attached to how you could use that money. Which starts off a struggle for Cerys.
She wants to share with her friends and her family but as she continues to be unable to the novelty of the inheritance wears off. Plus she believes she is being watched and followed by who she thinks is Jesus on a Bike. So, what began as enjoying the greener grass ends in her being a doubting Thomas and questioning if she wanted it all in the first place. Which doesn't please sister Seren.
This has been likened to Black Mirror and Tales of the Unexpected – but for me it screams Inside No.9.
The closing chapters will leave you with more questions than answers, and scratch your head you will. But as with INN, the payoff is pure brilliance and really gets you thinking. About the cycle of life, and death, and what people do for love and how far they will go to get what they want.
Man, I want to know more about this scenario and surely there must be scope for a prequel/sequel.
I raced through this in 2 days and I'll gladly read more tales from Orla's dark and twisted mind.
April 15, 2025
Loved this, really enjoy Orla Owen books, raced through this, but slightly disappointed by the lack of explanation in regards to the reason for this experiment, how did it all start, who are the Solicitor / Accountant really, why are they recording every little detail. How long did Thomas Morgan manage?
I know the point of the story is to leave us wondering and it didn’t stop me loving it, I just want more!
I could keep reading this. I need a sequel or prequel!
I know the point of the story is to leave us wondering and it didn’t stop me loving it, I just want more!
I could keep reading this. I need a sequel or prequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2024
An odd little book. Not sure what the point of it was. Deep and meaningful? Don’t be kind to strangers because your sister will push you off a cliff? The grass is always greener? Be careful what you wish for? A gal needs handcream? Not sure I really got it.
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