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The Transmigrant
What if Jesus was just an ordinary boy searching for enlightenment? This award-winning novel reimagines Jesus's epic life, and in particular, the eighteen years not mentioned in the Bible.
In the year 8 AD, five-year-old Yeshua receives a visit from two mysterious strangers who predict he will bring a message of peace to the world. Oblivious of the prophecy, Yeshua grows up yearning to be a rabbi, but soon learns that it’s his duty and destiny to become a carpenter like his father.
One day, when a Buddhist pilgrim tells Yeshua about a country called Sindh where anyone can be a monk, his hope is kindled. He joins a camel caravan and sets off on a thousand-mile journey across the Silk Road into the unknown. Along the way, he studies the teachings of the Buddha and Krishna and loses his virginity to a beautiful young widow in a secluded convent. Upon returning to Palestine after nearly twenty years, he finds a country tormented by the Romans who perceive him as a dangerous rebel.
THE TRANSMIGRANT is a spiritual, alternative novel about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Inspired both by ancient scriptures and relatively new findings, such as Russian traveler Nicolas Notovitch's 1894 book "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ." It is a remarkable tale of self-discovery and a reflection on the lengths to which a man will go to be admired, accepted, and, ultimately, loved.
In the year 8 AD, five-year-old Yeshua receives a visit from two mysterious strangers who predict he will bring a message of peace to the world. Oblivious of the prophecy, Yeshua grows up yearning to be a rabbi, but soon learns that it’s his duty and destiny to become a carpenter like his father.
One day, when a Buddhist pilgrim tells Yeshua about a country called Sindh where anyone can be a monk, his hope is kindled. He joins a camel caravan and sets off on a thousand-mile journey across the Silk Road into the unknown. Along the way, he studies the teachings of the Buddha and Krishna and loses his virginity to a beautiful young widow in a secluded convent. Upon returning to Palestine after nearly twenty years, he finds a country tormented by the Romans who perceive him as a dangerous rebel.
THE TRANSMIGRANT is a spiritual, alternative novel about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Inspired both by ancient scriptures and relatively new findings, such as Russian traveler Nicolas Notovitch's 1894 book "The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ." It is a remarkable tale of self-discovery and a reflection on the lengths to which a man will go to be admired, accepted, and, ultimately, loved.
312 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2017
52 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Saare Duarte
3 books35 followersKristi Saare Duarte is an award-winning author of spiritual novels THE TRANSMIGRANT and THE HOLY CONSPIRACY. She developed her expertise on Jesus and the disciples by studying ancient scrolls and historical scriptures, including the Nag Hammadi Library and Josephus Flavius’s Antiquities of the Jews. . A true cosmopolitan, Kristi is Estonian by origin, Swedish by birth, has lived in six countries on three continents, and currently lives in New York City. She is also a healer and a spiritual channel and believes that all religions stem from the same universal message: love your neighbor as yourself and be kind to all.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 31, 2017
The Transmigrant is an alternative take on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Inspired both by ancient scriptures and relatively new findings, such as Russian traveller Nicolas Notovitch's book “The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ,” this book explores Jesus's life during the years before his public life and his apprenticeship, which will enable him to become a convincing “preacher,” well-educated about the many religious foundations of his time.
It’s a book that the authors of Siddhartha (Herman Hesse), The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran) and The Last Temptation of Christ (Nikos Kazantzakis) would not have denied, for Duarte created a convincing, sensible, perceptive and very sympathetic Yeshua, a truly human character. But you don’t need to have read these books or to have travelled across the countries Yeshua visited to understand this novel.
This book could be considered as a travel log and a story about self-awareness, self- and spiritual discovery by someone whose deepest motivation was to be loved and to help others in the most fundamental ways.
The author did extensive research to be able to give her novel the necessary foundations for its realism. She also showed a great deal of depth in her reflections. Yet it is an easy and enjoyable read that I recommend to anyone who loves intellectually and spiritually enriching as well as entertaining books.
Note: There are parts of this book that might shock some not so open-minded readers. If you can’t bear to think of a fictional Jesus having kissed a woman, forget it.
It’s a book that the authors of Siddhartha (Herman Hesse), The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran) and The Last Temptation of Christ (Nikos Kazantzakis) would not have denied, for Duarte created a convincing, sensible, perceptive and very sympathetic Yeshua, a truly human character. But you don’t need to have read these books or to have travelled across the countries Yeshua visited to understand this novel.
This book could be considered as a travel log and a story about self-awareness, self- and spiritual discovery by someone whose deepest motivation was to be loved and to help others in the most fundamental ways.
The author did extensive research to be able to give her novel the necessary foundations for its realism. She also showed a great deal of depth in her reflections. Yet it is an easy and enjoyable read that I recommend to anyone who loves intellectually and spiritually enriching as well as entertaining books.
Note: There are parts of this book that might shock some not so open-minded readers. If you can’t bear to think of a fictional Jesus having kissed a woman, forget it.
September 3, 2018
The Transmigrant, by Kristi Saare Duarte, is an historical fiction, depicting the life of Yeshua, the son of a Palestinian carpenter, destined by the ways of his culture, to follow in the footsteps of his father. Yeshua, however, has no such plan – he wants to follow another path and learn the secrets of life – and ultimately to teach a new spiritual path that does not necessarily hold to the rituals and conventions of strict Judaism. Pressured by family and peers to obey his father and get married on the threshold of his teens, Yeshua runs away with another novice, a monk, also a seeker of truth, and begins his journey. His travels take him to the far reaches of India, to the foothills of the Himalayas, through lands where he meets followers of Buddhism and Hinduism and begins to see that not everyone shares the same god, nor faith, nor beliefs. He finds solace in meeting common folk; the workers, the farmers, the poor, and he starts to realize that his calling in life is to bring the message of God to all people, not just “the chosen ones” or those who are faithfully loyal to “their one true God”. Over years, he learns bits and pieces of spiritual truths, finds love, loses love, but he never stops teaching the common folk, and word spreads of a different kind of teacher, one who professes that God loves everyone equally, and in turn, that everyone should love and respect others as equals. The obvious parallels are drawn to the early life of Jesus Christ and his eventual return to the Holy Land where he eventually faced his fate at the hands of Rome. This is not a tragic tale, however, it is a fascinating perspective about a man whose name became synonomous with one of the largest religious movements in the known history of Earth. One sees the journey from a very young boy’s eyes, a boy who challenges the status quo, the “you must believe or else” mantra of the culture around him; a boy, who, as he grows older, grows wiser and sees that the only true God can be one that respects all people as equals. There are plenty of adventures, twists and turns, near-death episodes, not to mention the threads of spiritual insights which the author weaves into the plot. This is not an evangelical presentation, far from it. It is, quite possibly, a more accurate rendering of the journey that Jesus Christ undertook, an invitation to the reader to see a different perspective than that presented by conventional biblical texts. A very worthwhile read and recommended.
August 15, 2017
Goodreads Win.
A brilliantly written book which takes you back in time, quite an enjoyable read.
A brilliantly written book which takes you back in time, quite an enjoyable read.
April 13, 2018
See raamat on nagu nn eneseabiõpiku ja piibli segu. Lugu sellest, et Jeesus oli ka kõigest tavaline inimene, kes saavutas valgustumise. Ja eks ta ilmselt pidigi olema tavalne inimene, kuna Jumal lõi inimese endanäolise ju.
Päris põnev oli lugeda, mida Jeesus võis teha perioodil, mille kohta piiblis igasugune info puudub.
Üldkokkuvõttes mulle meeldis.
Päris põnev oli lugeda, mida Jeesus võis teha perioodil, mille kohta piiblis igasugune info puudub.
Üldkokkuvõttes mulle meeldis.
August 16, 2017
I was given a copy of The Transmigrant by Kristi Saare Duarte in exchange for an honest review.
After a few pages, Duarte made me stop and think about everything I knew about Jesus and challenge it with: what if Jesus was just an ordinary, down-to-earth boy on a religious quest?
Duarte has taken the story of Jesus and woven it into a captivating story of Yeshua who leaves his home and future as a carpenter, setting out to cross the strict caste laws and become a rabbi. His love of God and his passion to share the Word of God is present in his day to day travels and struggles to find the inner peace and presence of mind that others before him had found – Lord Buddha, Krishna and the White Brahmins. Yeshua wants only to teach the word of a loving God but is challenged to wait patiently and teach only when he is deemed worthy and learns to only teach to those “more appropriate.” Yeshua breaks with tradition and begins teaching peasants and farmers and women.
The story of Yeshua mirrors the life of Jesus closely but with significant changes that are likely closer to reality than not; Duarte invites you to see the story of Jesus in a different light. Duarte’s telling of the story of Yeshua flows smoothly, weaving naturally in with stories from the Bible and history and reported experiences of Jesus. Duarte snags the imagination of her audience and challenges them. She encourages questions and further examination of one’s beliefs.
The life of Jesus is widely known but with her research of ancient scriptures and reported new findings by others, Duarte creates another version that could have happened. One that leaves room for thought.
Duarte’s writing style and vivid use of imagery captured me and held my attention. Her use of inner dialog allows the reader to experience the same questions and emotions as Yeshua. The reader cannot help but become enmeshed in his struggles and ultimate sacrifice. Her writing is calming and subtle – it is not forceful nor over powering. She simply offers a different scenario.
WordsAPlenty highly recommends this book; Duarte is an accomplished writer who questions and challenges the norm with a passion of other possibilities.
After a few pages, Duarte made me stop and think about everything I knew about Jesus and challenge it with: what if Jesus was just an ordinary, down-to-earth boy on a religious quest?
Duarte has taken the story of Jesus and woven it into a captivating story of Yeshua who leaves his home and future as a carpenter, setting out to cross the strict caste laws and become a rabbi. His love of God and his passion to share the Word of God is present in his day to day travels and struggles to find the inner peace and presence of mind that others before him had found – Lord Buddha, Krishna and the White Brahmins. Yeshua wants only to teach the word of a loving God but is challenged to wait patiently and teach only when he is deemed worthy and learns to only teach to those “more appropriate.” Yeshua breaks with tradition and begins teaching peasants and farmers and women.
The story of Yeshua mirrors the life of Jesus closely but with significant changes that are likely closer to reality than not; Duarte invites you to see the story of Jesus in a different light. Duarte’s telling of the story of Yeshua flows smoothly, weaving naturally in with stories from the Bible and history and reported experiences of Jesus. Duarte snags the imagination of her audience and challenges them. She encourages questions and further examination of one’s beliefs.
The life of Jesus is widely known but with her research of ancient scriptures and reported new findings by others, Duarte creates another version that could have happened. One that leaves room for thought.
Duarte’s writing style and vivid use of imagery captured me and held my attention. Her use of inner dialog allows the reader to experience the same questions and emotions as Yeshua. The reader cannot help but become enmeshed in his struggles and ultimate sacrifice. Her writing is calming and subtle – it is not forceful nor over powering. She simply offers a different scenario.
WordsAPlenty highly recommends this book; Duarte is an accomplished writer who questions and challenges the norm with a passion of other possibilities.
March 25, 2018
I am really disappointed with this book. After mostly positive reviews of this book and an average rating of over 4 stars had raised my hopes I suppose a bit too high. I had read this book hoping it was historical fiction. This is not historical fiction. The writing style is very bland and ordinary hence no literary classic. So what genre does this book belong to?
This book is for the believers, especially those who are a bit tired with the orthodox beliefs. The book's nature is evangelical and you can feel Christ is preaching to you rather than his followers. If you are an atheist or agnostic, this book will seem very childish, naive and innocent.
The missing years of Christ is mostly spent in India and by the end of it he is more of a Vedantist than Jewish (Hebrew). There is a hodge podge of different Indian religions and philosophies including Vedanta, Jainism, Buddhism (But cautiously stays away from those that are agnostic or atheist beliefs except for Buddhism and those that maybe a bit sensitive and controversial like tantra). He does not venture into South India.
If you are a believer but want a more modern universal interpretation of Christianity (Or Buddhism/ Vedanta wrapped and dressed in Western clothes) then this book is for YOU!
This book is for the believers, especially those who are a bit tired with the orthodox beliefs. The book's nature is evangelical and you can feel Christ is preaching to you rather than his followers. If you are an atheist or agnostic, this book will seem very childish, naive and innocent.
The missing years of Christ is mostly spent in India and by the end of it he is more of a Vedantist than Jewish (Hebrew). There is a hodge podge of different Indian religions and philosophies including Vedanta, Jainism, Buddhism (But cautiously stays away from those that are agnostic or atheist beliefs except for Buddhism and those that maybe a bit sensitive and controversial like tantra). He does not venture into South India.
If you are a believer but want a more modern universal interpretation of Christianity (Or Buddhism/ Vedanta wrapped and dressed in Western clothes) then this book is for YOU!
November 1, 2020
A talented author. An exciting, evocative book that leaves you sad when you finish reading it. Kristi's writing comes to the heart, I find both a high-level writer who painstakingly takes care of the dialogues, as well as the historical context. I wish her tremendous luck. I am sure she will go a long way.
December 31, 2017
I received The Transmigrant in a giveaway, and while I generally enjoyed the book it was one that I had to take breaks from to read something else for a while. Kristi Saare Duarte did an excellent job with geographical and cultural detail throughout the novel, making it very easy to picture the alternative reality she created for the missing bible years of Jesus’ life. Each different religion and philosophy he encountered was vividly explained and easy to visualize, it almost felt enjoyably educational. However, I found the pacing of her story to be inconsistent and difficult to get through. The shaping events and adventures experienced by Yeshua were either long and drawn out, or given too short of a description to match the magnitude of their importance.
I appreciated the humanity the author brought to Jesus but found that sometimes the connections to bible stories and parables that Jesus told throughout were a stretch; like an afterthought to align her story with events as laid out in the bible.
Overall a refreshing and relatable take on what the real man could have likely been like.
I appreciated the humanity the author brought to Jesus but found that sometimes the connections to bible stories and parables that Jesus told throughout were a stretch; like an afterthought to align her story with events as laid out in the bible.
Overall a refreshing and relatable take on what the real man could have likely been like.
March 7, 2018
Something prompted me to read the author's notes at the back of the book first, and I'm glad I did because she explains which texts she has drawn inspiration from and why she feels others, including the four gospels, are not the authentic story of Jesus but written to promote the Pauline view of Christianity. The book is a fictionalised life of Jesus, but unlike anything you were taught in Sunday school. There is nothing miraculous about Jesus, he's just a boy in an ordinary family, not wealthy or high ranking, but not poverty stricken either. But he feels god is calling him to serve, and his position as a carpenter's son doesn't give him any chance of fulfilling his dream. He also has a strong intuition that the priests and rabbis don't truly understand what god wants for humanity.
A chance meeting with a young Buddhist monk in the marketplace makes him realise that there are places where your position in society doesn't bar you from study and practice, and he sets off on a trek across Asia, encountering a variety of religions and philosophies, staying a while to study with each one. As he approaches the end of his twenties, he feels the call to return home and teach the insights he has acquired to his own people. Although there's a bit in the middle where I found it difficult to relate to the main character (maybe because I've never been a teenage boy!) I did find it got very moving towards the end, and the author's interpretation of many of the parables and teachings more satisfying than much of what we were taught at school.
A chance meeting with a young Buddhist monk in the marketplace makes him realise that there are places where your position in society doesn't bar you from study and practice, and he sets off on a trek across Asia, encountering a variety of religions and philosophies, staying a while to study with each one. As he approaches the end of his twenties, he feels the call to return home and teach the insights he has acquired to his own people. Although there's a bit in the middle where I found it difficult to relate to the main character (maybe because I've never been a teenage boy!) I did find it got very moving towards the end, and the author's interpretation of many of the parables and teachings more satisfying than much of what we were taught at school.
September 16, 2017
This is a beautifully written fictional account of the missing years of Jesus. It transports you to the biblical times and areas of Jesus. I found this book a real page-turner and somewhat controversial in the actions of Jesus. The book is extremely well researched and the pages are beautifully written. I recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the life of Jesus or the biblical era.
March 2, 2018
Believable and Mind-altering
As I read this book of fiction I realized that it was more realistic and much more believable than what the ancients decided we should see in the Bible. The teachings are what I believe God would want us to know. Read to discover a Jesus who was indeed a common man who walked with God and lived and died to express and teach God's love.
As I read this book of fiction I realized that it was more realistic and much more believable than what the ancients decided we should see in the Bible. The teachings are what I believe God would want us to know. Read to discover a Jesus who was indeed a common man who walked with God and lived and died to express and teach God's love.
July 26, 2018
What do we really know about the life of Jesus, other than a handful of stories about his ministry in the final year or two of his life? Nothing. The Gospels in the New Testament were written decades after the events described, and the Evangelists elaborated on the basic story with magical myths in their attempts to put this messiah on equal footing with Moses, Caesar and Zeus. We have almost no direct information about the real man Jesus.
But hey—that’s the story that’s been handed down to us in the past 2,000 years, so we work with what we’ve got.
In The Transmigrant Kristi Saare Duarte explores possible influences that could have helped develop the mindset of the Jewish man Yeshua who would attract a large following in Galilee and Judah and eventually suffer crucifixion at Jerusalem. Rather than portray him (as the usual story does) as a lifelong laborer in an unknown backwater called Nazareth, she lets the reader follow him on a trek over the Silk Road and south into India, where he spends years studying Buddhism. Later he travels east on the subcontinent and learns the ways of Hinduism. Finally, he goes north into the Himalayas and experiences more of a raw connection to God.
Upon his return to Galilee after many years of absence, Yeshua tries to blend what he has learned in the East into terms that his countrymen can understand. He’s often unsuccessful, but through trial and error eventually becomes a teacher revered in the countryside. There are some reasonable but nevertheless major departures from the familiar biblical story, but Duarte’s tale leads to the same place. Spoiler alert: It ends with nails and a cross.
Duarte’s story offers believable tales of events that could have later grown into the myths of Christianity that have been handed down to us. Also, rather than proclaiming that his is the only path and that only through him can anyone find salvation, Duarte’s Yeshua tells his followers, “All you have seen me do, you can do too. All I am, you can be. God’s gifts belong to us all, every people in every land.”
As the author notes in her postscript, we will never know the complete story of the Galilean preacher who, years after his death, became known as the Christ. But The Transmigrant gives us a valuable peek into one possible—and plausible—sequence of events that could shed light on a religion that has shaped world events for 2,000 years.
Patrick W. Andersen is the author of Second Born.
But hey—that’s the story that’s been handed down to us in the past 2,000 years, so we work with what we’ve got.
In The Transmigrant Kristi Saare Duarte explores possible influences that could have helped develop the mindset of the Jewish man Yeshua who would attract a large following in Galilee and Judah and eventually suffer crucifixion at Jerusalem. Rather than portray him (as the usual story does) as a lifelong laborer in an unknown backwater called Nazareth, she lets the reader follow him on a trek over the Silk Road and south into India, where he spends years studying Buddhism. Later he travels east on the subcontinent and learns the ways of Hinduism. Finally, he goes north into the Himalayas and experiences more of a raw connection to God.
Upon his return to Galilee after many years of absence, Yeshua tries to blend what he has learned in the East into terms that his countrymen can understand. He’s often unsuccessful, but through trial and error eventually becomes a teacher revered in the countryside. There are some reasonable but nevertheless major departures from the familiar biblical story, but Duarte’s tale leads to the same place. Spoiler alert: It ends with nails and a cross.
Duarte’s story offers believable tales of events that could have later grown into the myths of Christianity that have been handed down to us. Also, rather than proclaiming that his is the only path and that only through him can anyone find salvation, Duarte’s Yeshua tells his followers, “All you have seen me do, you can do too. All I am, you can be. God’s gifts belong to us all, every people in every land.”
As the author notes in her postscript, we will never know the complete story of the Galilean preacher who, years after his death, became known as the Christ. But The Transmigrant gives us a valuable peek into one possible—and plausible—sequence of events that could shed light on a religion that has shaped world events for 2,000 years.
Patrick W. Andersen is the author of Second Born.
February 25, 2018
A logical look at the "lost years"
This was a believable look at a "possible" biography of Jesus life. I enjoy this version of the life of Christ so much more. It rings of truth.
This was a believable look at a "possible" biography of Jesus life. I enjoy this version of the life of Christ so much more. It rings of truth.
May 13, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book I am not a believer in the bible, this book made me think of how the Christian religion may well have been started, thank you for a really enlighten fresh view of the Christian religion.
October 25, 2017
The Transmigrant is an incredibly moving depiction of the lost years of Jesus. Duarte paints a beautifully woven picture through her dazzling prose of Jesus as an ordinary inspired young boy with an immense amount of longing for wisdom and truth and will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about this son of a God son of a carpenter. Duarte’s extensive research and passion is heartfelt and detailed throughout the whole journey. Her pristine description is captivating and her elegant ease of writing will have you feeling his every emotion. This inspiring piece of literature humanizes Jesus and depicts how one’s spiritual insight and enlightenment is truly up to them. We create our own reality. Refreshing for all the beauty humans possess and frustrating for the ruthless, cold and prideful side. By story’s end tears were streamlining down my face for it connected to the deepest aspect of my own personal spiritual journey for all its wants, desires and frustrations. A perfectly timed novel for all ears and souls to taste an incredibly moving journey of young Yeshua whose soul is called to search out the wisdom of God in the simplest most profound of statements, the kingdom of God is within you. As Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz, The Transmigrant is to the New Testament.
July 22, 2017
The Transmigrant by Kristi Saare Duarte is a unique historical tale. It takes readers back in time. A lot of research has gone into making this one of the best reads yet. I haven't read anything quite this good. The Transmigrant is a journey of man. Searching constantly for what he needs. Easy to follow, relate to, and understand. The pages are full of deep meaning. Engaging, well-developed, and stunning. Kristi Saare Duarte showed me the depths of what humans are and will go to....it was amazing. Physically and emotionally. I highly recommend readers to open this book and explore the most famous of all men, Jesus. His life unravels here.
Read
July 22, 2017this is a very deep and great book, through the chapters and lines, there are powerful and valuable information.
January 19, 2018
Kristi Saare Duarte’s “The Transmigrant” focuses on the missing years of Jesus (Yeshua—in his native Aramaic tongue) and the notion that, as a young lad at 12-years-old, he left his native home in Galilee and traveled to the Far East where he spent nearly 20-years accumulating the wisdom of the Buddhists, Hindis, Zoroastrians, and other eastern philosophies which he incorporated into his later teachings.
Duarte’s “The Transmigrant” invites one to confront the actual humanity of the man who would be called “The Christ”. And although what truly happened to him during the missing years may never be proven by historical documentation, the author connects with Jesus/Yeshua on such a deep and personal level, any reader will be left wondering just how accurate her portrayal of the young Lord may be. A mountain of research (the standard Synoptic Gospels, the “Forbidden” Gospels, the Nag Hammadi library, the writings of Josephus, and other biblical and historical sources) is expertly combined to create a provocative and compelling take on Jesus that, in many ways, rings of truth. Her writing vividly brings to life the exotic people and places the young Yeshua encounters, as well as the many tough lessons he learns, the loneliness of being alone in a faraway land, and the disappointments and joys of a life lived in service to others. In “The Transmigrant”, Yeshua is a palpable, humorous, and engaging character, and Duarte’s depiction of him as an oftentimes bold and cocky young man hungry for knowledge of the spiritual, yet flawed by human nature, ensures this tale will be astonishingly eye-opening and memorable.
This is an unsolicited review. I purchased this novel as part of my personal/professional library on the life and times of young Yeshua, and as a fellow historian/author who has extensively researched this same genre, and an expert on the Roman occupation of Palestine, the missing years of Jesus, and the forbidden gospels, I highly recommend this alternative history novel to any open-minded individual willing to explore the life of a truly amazing and resilient young man.
Duarte’s “The Transmigrant” invites one to confront the actual humanity of the man who would be called “The Christ”. And although what truly happened to him during the missing years may never be proven by historical documentation, the author connects with Jesus/Yeshua on such a deep and personal level, any reader will be left wondering just how accurate her portrayal of the young Lord may be. A mountain of research (the standard Synoptic Gospels, the “Forbidden” Gospels, the Nag Hammadi library, the writings of Josephus, and other biblical and historical sources) is expertly combined to create a provocative and compelling take on Jesus that, in many ways, rings of truth. Her writing vividly brings to life the exotic people and places the young Yeshua encounters, as well as the many tough lessons he learns, the loneliness of being alone in a faraway land, and the disappointments and joys of a life lived in service to others. In “The Transmigrant”, Yeshua is a palpable, humorous, and engaging character, and Duarte’s depiction of him as an oftentimes bold and cocky young man hungry for knowledge of the spiritual, yet flawed by human nature, ensures this tale will be astonishingly eye-opening and memorable.
This is an unsolicited review. I purchased this novel as part of my personal/professional library on the life and times of young Yeshua, and as a fellow historian/author who has extensively researched this same genre, and an expert on the Roman occupation of Palestine, the missing years of Jesus, and the forbidden gospels, I highly recommend this alternative history novel to any open-minded individual willing to explore the life of a truly amazing and resilient young man.
March 24, 2018
"The Transmigrant", beautifully written and extensively researched by Kristi Saare Duarte, is a novel that makes you stop and think about the possibility that the teachings of Christ may have been born of a foundation influenced by Eastern thought. Though this book may be shelved in the Religion section of the bookstore, I wouldn't necessarily categorize it so. The protagonist is Jesus (Yeshua) but Saare Duarte weaves a rich and engaging story humanizing Jesus' life as an ordinary young man who once just wanted to become a Rabbi. When his dreams are thwarted, he sets out on a thousand-mile trek through Asia and a journey of self-discovery. What is exceptional about this vividly spun novel is that it makes you stop and think about our own humanity with all our wondrous failings and triumphs and establishes perhaps a more comfortable relationship with the concept of spirituality, even religion. The book poses the possibility that Jesus did in fact travel to Asia in his later years and though we will likely never know that for sure, Saare Duarte has done enough research to have the right to make that case.
Did I mention that this was an excellent read and that I highly recommend it?
Did I mention that this was an excellent read and that I highly recommend it?
March 4, 2022
What did Jesus do between the ages of 12 and 30? Mrs. Duarte, unravels the mystery through Yeshua, with ancient scrolls, historical sources and traveling the world chasing adventure. Much the same way Jesus may have sought and developed his faith. The power of love shines throughout, thoughtful and thought provoking. It brings us on a journey of discovery to the place we know. Nevertheless, on the way we begin to understand who Jesus was as a man, what, where, who, why and how he learned what he subsequently taught. It also shows what the churches wove in and where they both collected their contributions.
Jesus was an astounding man who found his calling in life. He wanted to discover and share Gods message with everyone; not just the chosen ones, it was for the world - the untouchables included and it's essence is that ever-lasting love. It's intriguing, touching and literally astounding. Along the way you may just find the truth you were searching for.
Jesus was an astounding man who found his calling in life. He wanted to discover and share Gods message with everyone; not just the chosen ones, it was for the world - the untouchables included and it's essence is that ever-lasting love. It's intriguing, touching and literally astounding. Along the way you may just find the truth you were searching for.
December 10, 2023
An inspired story that offers to readers an enjoyable and illluminating journey throughout a fascinating era and part of the world during the 18 missing years of Jesus. This incredible, vibrant tale gives to Judas a beautiful and heartbreaking redemption
While reading we only want to see different perspective, feel what jesus lives, smells, loves... a must read to every Jesus inconditionnal.
While reading we only want to see different perspective, feel what jesus lives, smells, loves... a must read to every Jesus inconditionnal.
October 3, 2019
If you're lucky, there are times in your life when a book arrives exactly when it's most needed. That was my experience with Kristin Duarte's, THE TRANSMIGRANT.
What a gift.
Ms. Duarte instills her characters with unapologetic flaws and endearingly human charm. She takes us an unforgettable adventure; a travelogue of an ancient map to Enlightenment.
If you're on the path to self-discovery this book could be a welcome and insightful post along the way.
What a gift.
Ms. Duarte instills her characters with unapologetic flaws and endearingly human charm. She takes us an unforgettable adventure; a travelogue of an ancient map to Enlightenment.
If you're on the path to self-discovery this book could be a welcome and insightful post along the way.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews