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Trouble in Paradise: or When God Got Really Mad
Things are not going so good in Heaven. God has been away for a couple of thousand years, busying Himself creating billions of galaxies, and son Jesus has been left to handle the goings on down on Earth. Unfortunately it hasn’t gone too well. The humans have messed everything up. Big time. Jesus is in a state of despair. God returns, finally, to discover His human experiment has fallen apart. To top it all He finds a motley bunch of protesters outside the Pearly Gates demanding His head. And everyone waits, with bated breath, to see what The Almighty is going to do about it.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 11, 2015
A funny tongue and cheek short read, that might offend some but you would really want to take a chill pill if that's how you perceive this book. Irreverent and taking a few pot shots at conventional Christian teaching for sure, put that's largely the point. This is a clever book and it is very well constructed. I liked the writers logic and how he has gone through in some detail, despite the shortness of this one, a lot of Church teachings and unravelled the logic or lack thereof within. Of course none of it is not real and it is a funny, fast paced, stylised and clever concoction. I really enjoyed reading this. Read it in one sitting and that's a rarity for me. I will go again for Alan Hughes. Pick this up it will make you smile.
March 1, 2015
God had been away for 2000 years building galaxies, meanwhile humans had been up to all sorts of things on Earth. There are even protestors outside the pearly gates.
When God returns he’s determined to punish the human race and sends Jesus down to Earth to implement Armageddon.
This is an irreverent story about Christianity, told cleverly and with gentle humour. There are little touches that will make you smile, such as Jesus reading an M & S catalogue to get the right image for his return to Earth.
This is not a full sized novel, more a long story, but the author manages to pack in a good tale into a small space. There are thirty bite-sized chapters that move the story on in a snappy pace.
I like the way the author has used the sub title to inform the reader what the story is about, so that anyone who might be offended can choose not to read.
I would recommend this humorous story and look forward to reading more from this author
February 26, 2015
Writing humour, as I’ve said before is difficult, but with the right tone the author can get away with a lot, and on different levels. I was delighted to find that this book was not only funny, but was written with an eye for detail in the writing which impressed me.
I tried to imagine how this story could have evolved. I created my own scenario. You’re out for a few drinks with a couple of friends who are not necessarily writers. It’s half-way through the evening and you’ve all reached that stage where you’re putting the world to rights, but having a laugh whilst doing so. The mood is light.
“Tell you what,” one of the assembled company suggests, “imagine writing a story where you’ve got the Holy Trinity thing going on, but the characters see themselves as separate entities.”
Everybody else at the table hesitates with glasses half-raised to lips, waiting for the punch-line.
The speaker goes on, “God the Father comes back for the first time in about 2000 years of the modern Earth and finds out how things have been going ... and he’s not happy.”
This book could be the result of that unlikely suggestion. Only one or two mentions of our own barbarity stopped me smiling, but it was only briefly. For the most part this book is funny in the extreme. Congratulations Alan Hughes, on not only the humour, but the excellent dialogue. It would be remiss of me not to mention the timely reminders of what it says in the Holy Bible, and how those quotes have been ignored, or taken out of context by mankind.
On a serious note, I fear for the damage we’ve done to this world of ours, and for what we are going to leave to those who are yet to be born, if we leave anything. This story gives reminders of how we’ve mistreated our planet and each other over the time since records began. Skilfully blended with the humour, are snippets of how pathetic we, the human race really are.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of work and cannot recommend it highly enough. I’ll be watching for more from this author.
I tried to imagine how this story could have evolved. I created my own scenario. You’re out for a few drinks with a couple of friends who are not necessarily writers. It’s half-way through the evening and you’ve all reached that stage where you’re putting the world to rights, but having a laugh whilst doing so. The mood is light.
“Tell you what,” one of the assembled company suggests, “imagine writing a story where you’ve got the Holy Trinity thing going on, but the characters see themselves as separate entities.”
Everybody else at the table hesitates with glasses half-raised to lips, waiting for the punch-line.
The speaker goes on, “God the Father comes back for the first time in about 2000 years of the modern Earth and finds out how things have been going ... and he’s not happy.”
This book could be the result of that unlikely suggestion. Only one or two mentions of our own barbarity stopped me smiling, but it was only briefly. For the most part this book is funny in the extreme. Congratulations Alan Hughes, on not only the humour, but the excellent dialogue. It would be remiss of me not to mention the timely reminders of what it says in the Holy Bible, and how those quotes have been ignored, or taken out of context by mankind.
On a serious note, I fear for the damage we’ve done to this world of ours, and for what we are going to leave to those who are yet to be born, if we leave anything. This story gives reminders of how we’ve mistreated our planet and each other over the time since records began. Skilfully blended with the humour, are snippets of how pathetic we, the human race really are.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of work and cannot recommend it highly enough. I’ll be watching for more from this author.
April 3, 2015
I read this based on the fabulous reviews but was unsure whether I'd like a book with a religious theme. I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a hilarious take on religion and Man's interpretation of it. God comes home after 2000 years to find out what's been going on in his absence and quite rightly he is not happy! For all that this could be deemed a risqué subject for a humorous book, it's written tongue in cheek and is far from offensive in my opinion.
I loved how the characters had been brought into modern day and yet remained true to their biblical roots. The idea of Jesus texting his mum and checking an M&S catalogue for a suitable return to Earth outfit, had me giggling. A lot is packed into this short story, every character is clearly described by the clever dialogue and the totally believable situations they find themselves in.
This book is clever, witty and extremely funny but it does deliver a serious message through the humour. I often found myself nodding in agreement as I read Heaven's take on how we've made a mess of the World. Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to other books by the author.
I loved how the characters had been brought into modern day and yet remained true to their biblical roots. The idea of Jesus texting his mum and checking an M&S catalogue for a suitable return to Earth outfit, had me giggling. A lot is packed into this short story, every character is clearly described by the clever dialogue and the totally believable situations they find themselves in.
This book is clever, witty and extremely funny but it does deliver a serious message through the humour. I often found myself nodding in agreement as I read Heaven's take on how we've made a mess of the World. Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to other books by the author.
February 28, 2015
I was sent a review copy of this to read, and simply couldn't put it down! I love the author's wry tongue-in-cheek style and the way he manages to get quite a few serious points across by using dark humour. It reminded me a little of Andy Hamilton's radio comedy 'Old Harry's Game' - poking fun at the Almighty with a mostly gentle and persuasive wit. Alan Hughes is clearly someone who has plenty to say about the political as well as the spiritual confusion of those of us managing somehow to keep a foothold on our sanity on planet Earth, with or without God's intervention. For all that he describes himself as an atheist, I was struck by how the author depicts Jesus as an all-round decent nice guy with Buddha-like calm compassion, who really just wants a peaceful outcome for everyone. I was kept guessing right to the end as to how the story would turn out, and although it wasn't quite what I expected, I wasn't disappointed. It was an immensely enjoyable and uplifting read.
March 26, 2015
WARNING - Do not read this book in public places as it is likely to induce bouts of laughter that people nearby might find distressing.
The humour in this book really did appeal to me.
So, what is the book about? It is a short (62 pages) well-written look at modern day heaven. God has been away for two thousand years, leaving Jesus in charge, and he is not at all happy about events on earth. The situation in heaven isn't much better with protestors outside the Pearly Gates demanding Heaven should be for all, not just Christians and that God should stand trial for crimes against humanity.
I enjoyed the book for the humour but it does ask the more serious question, 'Where has God been during all the wars and atrocities on earth?'
Personally I didn't find the gentle humour offensive but a staunch Christian may not find this book to their taste.
If you enjoy intelligent funny books, I highly recommend this one.
The humour in this book really did appeal to me.
So, what is the book about? It is a short (62 pages) well-written look at modern day heaven. God has been away for two thousand years, leaving Jesus in charge, and he is not at all happy about events on earth. The situation in heaven isn't much better with protestors outside the Pearly Gates demanding Heaven should be for all, not just Christians and that God should stand trial for crimes against humanity.
I enjoyed the book for the humour but it does ask the more serious question, 'Where has God been during all the wars and atrocities on earth?'
Personally I didn't find the gentle humour offensive but a staunch Christian may not find this book to their taste.
If you enjoy intelligent funny books, I highly recommend this one.
February 23, 2015
“Trouble in Paradise – or When God Got Really Mad” by Alan Hughes is a very witty and humorous story that takes biblical themes and characters into a modern setting and asks great questions about our world and faith.
As the title gives away, God is not happy with the way Earth has developed. The author does a great job at playing out the scenario without offending believers or atheists. When the lovable Jesus sends texts and Joe, the carpenter, impersonates Humphrey Bogart for his wife you just can’t help smiling.
What can be done when the Almighty gets mad? Find out in this really vastly entertaining book. Highly recommended.
As the title gives away, God is not happy with the way Earth has developed. The author does a great job at playing out the scenario without offending believers or atheists. When the lovable Jesus sends texts and Joe, the carpenter, impersonates Humphrey Bogart for his wife you just can’t help smiling.
What can be done when the Almighty gets mad? Find out in this really vastly entertaining book. Highly recommended.
May 18, 2015
Fun read until the ending.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews