Suddenly One Morning: The Shopkeeper's Story: An Easter Narrative

by Charles R. Swindoll

Through the eyes of a shopkeeper on the main street of Jerusalem, "readers" experience the life-changing events of a week that begins with a parade and ends with an empty grave. This Easter gift book combines with an original Swindoll story with beautiful full-color art.

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 1998

About the author

Charles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable fictionalized account of that first easter from the eyes of a shopkeeper. While some of the story is a little over dramatized, for the most part I really enjoyed it. A couple things that did bother me were that it was written supposedly from a shopkeeper's perspective during Jesus' time yet tried to incorporate some modern words. For example, one of the disciples prays using the word "troubador" which is a word from hundreds of years later. Also, the shopkeeper refers to "J&J carpentry, definitely a modern take on Jesus and Joseph's humble business. But other than these few small quibbles, an enjoyable read and not just around Easter time.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have 5 starred this except it needed a better editor. I found it broke the flow of the story whenever they had an illustration... And not because of the illustrations but because they put them right in the middle of a sentence. I would turn the page expecting to finish a thought and there would be a beautiful piece of art that I wanted to linger on, but then I would have to flip back because suddenly the next page made no sense because I forgot what I had just read. And this happened multiple times. I read this on holy saturday and it was a perfect read for the day.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing it gives you an insight to the Shopkeeper's reaction to the truth of what he just finished witnessing. It also pulls together the strands of the old testament with the prophetic words of Isaiah and the completion of the Easter Story.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, but Weeping Chamber was more impactful for me. Both are good reads for the Easter season.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical fiction set around the last week of Christ's life. It was just "there". However, it is very short and can be read in less than 30 minutes.

[Abram · Rating 1 out of 5]

Propaganda

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fixtionalized account of Jesus' last week on earth. Praise the Lord, He lives!

[Lacey Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little Easter read. I’ll be putting this little gem in the local little Library.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting telling of the Easter story. Beautiful illustrations. This is at least the 2nd time I have read this book, although I may not have ever recorded it as read before.