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Resurrection
A lost past. A hidden Gospel. A shocking discovery.
It's 1948, and British nurse Gemma Bastian travels to Cairo to close the affairs of her late father, staying at the home of David Lazar, her father's oldest friend, and his enigmatic sons. While she's there she stumbles across her father's last and most closely guarded archaeological project, one that could change the Christian world the discovery of the legendary Lost Gospels. Torn between two brothers and beset by ominous warnings, Gemma finds herself caught in an intricate web of love and betrayal where she fights to resurrect her own shattered life and a faith that was lost to all of humanity.
It's 1948, and British nurse Gemma Bastian travels to Cairo to close the affairs of her late father, staying at the home of David Lazar, her father's oldest friend, and his enigmatic sons. While she's there she stumbles across her father's last and most closely guarded archaeological project, one that could change the Christian world the discovery of the legendary Lost Gospels. Torn between two brothers and beset by ominous warnings, Gemma finds herself caught in an intricate web of love and betrayal where she fights to resurrect her own shattered life and a faith that was lost to all of humanity.
374 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
15 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Tucker Malarkey
8 books78 followersTucker Malarkey was raised in San Francisco. She attended Georgetown University and was then hired by the Washington Post where she spent the next four years working on the Foreign Desk and then with columnist Haynes Johnson on the book, SLEEPWALKING THROUGH HISTORY, a best-selling account of the Reagan years. Before accepting a magazine job in New York, she decided to go to Africa for three months, visiting an island off the coast of Kenya where there were no cars and only the occasional phone; a place that seemed ideal for figuring out a life plan. The trip that was to last three months lasted two years. Upon returning to America, she was admitted to the Iowa Writers Workshop.
Tucker is the author of the critically acclaimed and national bestselling novels An Obvious Enchantment and Resurrection. her love of human culture and wilderness have since taken her all over the world, where she has worked on various film and writing projects. Stronghold is her first major work of non-fiction.
Tucker is the author of the critically acclaimed and national bestselling novels An Obvious Enchantment and Resurrection. her love of human culture and wilderness have since taken her all over the world, where she has worked on various film and writing projects. Stronghold is her first major work of non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 9, 2015
This is the second time I have read Resurrection. The first time I would have given it five stars solely based on content. I've said it to many people and I will say it again: This book completely changed my way of thinking. I honestly had no idea that any other gospels existed until I read Resurrection and I think that is a complete shame. Even though this is a novel and a work of fiction, it changed my faith and made it so much stronger. As far as the actual story, it is intriguing and made me eager to find out what would happen next. I will say, though, that I had a hard time believing that Gemma would find anyway to be attracted to Michael because he was a complete jerk all the time. I understand that Gemma was a nurse and so she was trying to help a man who was dying but I could find no charm in Michael whatsoever and I think that if the author wanted Gemma and Michael to have a connection she could have made it more believable. It just seemed forced to me. I did love the relationship that Gemma and Anthony had and even though there was always distance between them there was also something you could believe in. With that being said, I do think that this is a great book and I will, I'm sure, read it countless times in the future and continue to recommend it to my family and friends whenever the situation presents itself. As for me, I have gotten my hands on a published and translated book containing the Dead Sea Scrolls and am planning on buying the Nag Hammadi texts as well so I can gain some more knowledge of what the full picture of Christianity is.
October 30, 2013
Growing up in an Irish Catholic family in the 1960s and 70s was an experience steeped in church-every-Sunday, frilly white communion dresses, tiny silver crucifixes on delicate little chains, nuns enveloped in billowing habits, and don’t-you-dare-lean-your-behind-on-the-pew-when-you’re-kneeling instructions from Mom & Dad. I can tell you with much certainty that the Catholic Catechism I used in Sr. Paul Regina’s religion class sure didn’t have anything in it about the Gnostic Gospels.
As I’ve aged, I, like many of my contemporaries, have lost a little faith in the teachings of the Catholic Church. It’s not so much a loss of faith but a real questioning of the things I was taught so many years ago. So I naturally gravitate to books that deal with themes that question the same things I question. In this case, that questioning involves the authority of the four gospels of the New Testament, and the place in history and faith of the Gnostic Gospels, or New Testament apocrypha.
Resurrection is a fictionalized account of the discovery of the Nag Hammadi gospels in post World War II Egypt. Gemma Bastian, our intrepid heroine, is a war-damaged nurse who lived through the Blitz in London which killed her mother and destroyed her home. Shortly after the war ends, her father, a Biblical archaeologist, is found in his Cairo office, dead of an apparent heart attack. Shortly after being informed of his death, Gemma receives a mysterious letter from him that sends her to Cairo on a mission. As she discovers more about her father’s work, it becomes clear that he had discovered something that would rewrite the history of Christianity. The story follows Gemma as she slowly pieces together the last days of her father’s life and culminates in her possession of the Nag Hammadi gospels.
This reminded me very much of early Elizabeth Peters fiction, which owes a lot to the gothic romances so popular in the 1960s and 70s, and which evolved into the inimitable Amelia Peabody series. The three primary characters — Gemma, Michael and Anthony (the two brothers who vie for her attention) are colorful and well drawn, but the real action in the story involves the discovery of the gospels, what they contain, and what happens to them. Malarkey’s story whet my appetite enough that I’m currently reading the scholarly works on the Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. I realize that my father, who spent the first part of his young adulthood in the seminary, is probably spinning in his grave, but I have to say that what I’m reading is making me re-connect with the basis of my Christian belief. And that’s not a bad thing.
As I’ve aged, I, like many of my contemporaries, have lost a little faith in the teachings of the Catholic Church. It’s not so much a loss of faith but a real questioning of the things I was taught so many years ago. So I naturally gravitate to books that deal with themes that question the same things I question. In this case, that questioning involves the authority of the four gospels of the New Testament, and the place in history and faith of the Gnostic Gospels, or New Testament apocrypha.
Resurrection is a fictionalized account of the discovery of the Nag Hammadi gospels in post World War II Egypt. Gemma Bastian, our intrepid heroine, is a war-damaged nurse who lived through the Blitz in London which killed her mother and destroyed her home. Shortly after the war ends, her father, a Biblical archaeologist, is found in his Cairo office, dead of an apparent heart attack. Shortly after being informed of his death, Gemma receives a mysterious letter from him that sends her to Cairo on a mission. As she discovers more about her father’s work, it becomes clear that he had discovered something that would rewrite the history of Christianity. The story follows Gemma as she slowly pieces together the last days of her father’s life and culminates in her possession of the Nag Hammadi gospels.
This reminded me very much of early Elizabeth Peters fiction, which owes a lot to the gothic romances so popular in the 1960s and 70s, and which evolved into the inimitable Amelia Peabody series. The three primary characters — Gemma, Michael and Anthony (the two brothers who vie for her attention) are colorful and well drawn, but the real action in the story involves the discovery of the gospels, what they contain, and what happens to them. Malarkey’s story whet my appetite enough that I’m currently reading the scholarly works on the Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. I realize that my father, who spent the first part of his young adulthood in the seminary, is probably spinning in his grave, but I have to say that what I’m reading is making me re-connect with the basis of my Christian belief. And that’s not a bad thing.
November 5, 2009
This book has been described as "The Thinking person's DaVinci Code" and I would concur. Both novels deal with the suppression of the feminine within the teachings of the Christian Church. Resurrection deals directly with the discover of the gnostic gospels in Nag Hammadi and incorporates historical material. It's a fascinating read as a novel and educational as well. I love the combination of the two!
February 28, 2022
What an excellent novel! Enigmatic, full of intrigue, mystery, turmoil, and betrayal. Tucker Malarkey has taken the discovery of the lost gospels found near Nag Hammadi, Egypt in the 1940's and woven this story with fictional characters that interact with real people involved in this discovery and attempts to bring the gospels to light.
The story begins in 1947 when British nurse Gemma Bastian, struggling with her own demons from WWII, is summoned to join her archaeologist father in Cairo. However, before Gemma can arrive, she receives word that her father has died. Welcomed to Cairo by one of her father's oldest friends, David Lazar, Gemma searches her father's office in the Cairo Museum and becomes certain that he was murdered. Thus begins her journey to seek the truth, taking her into an intriguing and dangerous world of a Cairo that has many different sides.
Malarkey describes the world of Muslims, Coptic Christians, Expat Europeans, the city, and deserts, with a vividness that makes her story come alive. Amidst the search for truth, a picture of the struggles within the Lazar family is revealed as well as a more thorough understanding of Gemma's father and his personal journey to uncover the Gnostic Gospels and their meaning for the world. This is not a book to be missed!
The story begins in 1947 when British nurse Gemma Bastian, struggling with her own demons from WWII, is summoned to join her archaeologist father in Cairo. However, before Gemma can arrive, she receives word that her father has died. Welcomed to Cairo by one of her father's oldest friends, David Lazar, Gemma searches her father's office in the Cairo Museum and becomes certain that he was murdered. Thus begins her journey to seek the truth, taking her into an intriguing and dangerous world of a Cairo that has many different sides.
Malarkey describes the world of Muslims, Coptic Christians, Expat Europeans, the city, and deserts, with a vividness that makes her story come alive. Amidst the search for truth, a picture of the struggles within the Lazar family is revealed as well as a more thorough understanding of Gemma's father and his personal journey to uncover the Gnostic Gospels and their meaning for the world. This is not a book to be missed!
August 16, 2015
"Uskrsnuće", T. Malarkey; prava je avanturistička knjiga, kakve ja volim povremeno pročitati.. Egzotične lokacije, tajni artefakti, vožnje Nilom pa devom kroz pustinju... baš mi je pasalo... noćas... u iščekivanju kiše.. :)
Malo o radnji; neposredno nakon 2.svj. rata Emma Bastian leti iz Londona u Egipat saznavši da joj je otac, arheolog, pronađen mrtav. Naravno, tata je za sobom ostavio razne tragove, sakrivene poruke, a sve s ciljem da se izgubljena evanđelja iz Nag Hamadija objave svijetu, budući da bi to poprilično uzdrmalo dogme katoličke crkve.. Jedno je evanđelje bilo čak po Mariji Magdaleni!? Što je najbolje, knjiga je temeljena na istinitim događajima, jer su ti spisi nestali odlukom rane crkve prije skoro 2 tis. godina, da bi onda bili ponovno pronađeni 40-ih god. prošlog stoljeća. Naravno, oko tih je događaja autorica ispreplela priču o ratu, vjeri, ljubavi koja se baš lagano i sa zanimanjem, čita. Pa eto, ako ste se poželjeli malo avanture, makar ove fiktivne, Uskrsnuće je dobar izbor štiva.
Malo o radnji; neposredno nakon 2.svj. rata Emma Bastian leti iz Londona u Egipat saznavši da joj je otac, arheolog, pronađen mrtav. Naravno, tata je za sobom ostavio razne tragove, sakrivene poruke, a sve s ciljem da se izgubljena evanđelja iz Nag Hamadija objave svijetu, budući da bi to poprilično uzdrmalo dogme katoličke crkve.. Jedno je evanđelje bilo čak po Mariji Magdaleni!? Što je najbolje, knjiga je temeljena na istinitim događajima, jer su ti spisi nestali odlukom rane crkve prije skoro 2 tis. godina, da bi onda bili ponovno pronađeni 40-ih god. prošlog stoljeća. Naravno, oko tih je događaja autorica ispreplela priču o ratu, vjeri, ljubavi koja se baš lagano i sa zanimanjem, čita. Pa eto, ako ste se poželjeli malo avanture, makar ove fiktivne, Uskrsnuće je dobar izbor štiva.
January 10, 2008
I REALLY enjoyed this book, I don't know why I wouldn't put it as a 5 actually, probably a 4.5. Great writing, though I had a tough time with the 1940s thing most of the time because the main character is such an independent woman. I think its supposed to be because of the war, and actually reminds me of my grandmother a bit. Either way a great read about Egypt and the concepts of Christ's origins. Of course I don't agree with all the theology here but very interesting none the less. One of the reviewers described it as a "thinking man's DaVinci Code" I would go with that. But expect it to be more thinking, less action thriller. Great read.
June 6, 2008
Reminded me a bit of a Dan Brown novel, but slower paced. I found myself always waiting for a climax but never getting it. Still, I am fascinated by the subject matter of a Gnostic-based Christianity that has been buried by the church. And Egypt was a great setting for the story.
October 14, 2018
Resurrection is a fictionalized look at the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library. The library was Gnostic text that had been hidden away after Athanasius of Alexandria had called for the destruction of all non-canon texts.They were rediscovered in 1945. Who ever hidden these books saved gospels from the early Christian Church. Perhaps written even earlier that the gospels that are part of the current bible.
Gemma Bastion flies to Egypt after receiving a telex telling her that her father had died. Gemma thought she was in Egypt to take care of her father's affairs, but began to suspect that her father might have been murdered. Perhaps a clue is the last letter she received from her father that enclosed an ancient papyrus with a strange language written on it. Also, the priests that seem interested in what her father had found.
Putting the pieces together of her father's life in Egypt, Gemma discovers parts of ancient Gnostic text. Several that give a different look at women's place in the early church, especially the significance of Mary Magdalene. As Gemma looks for the rest of the text the mystery gets deeper. Who has the library and why does the church want to hide it away.
I was hoping for a meatier story on the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library. She didn't go into a lot of detail. Resurrection did wet my appetite to do some more research.
Gemma Bastion flies to Egypt after receiving a telex telling her that her father had died. Gemma thought she was in Egypt to take care of her father's affairs, but began to suspect that her father might have been murdered. Perhaps a clue is the last letter she received from her father that enclosed an ancient papyrus with a strange language written on it. Also, the priests that seem interested in what her father had found.
Putting the pieces together of her father's life in Egypt, Gemma discovers parts of ancient Gnostic text. Several that give a different look at women's place in the early church, especially the significance of Mary Magdalene. As Gemma looks for the rest of the text the mystery gets deeper. Who has the library and why does the church want to hide it away.
I was hoping for a meatier story on the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library. She didn't go into a lot of detail. Resurrection did wet my appetite to do some more research.
July 24, 2023
Story about the other gospels that werent accepted in the Bible.
March 13, 2009
Okay I hated DaVinci code. It was mindless, contrived, silly, and anyone who knows any history would find it absurd. I needed to say that because the idiotic blurb on Resurrection calls this a thinking person's DaVinci code. Which misses the point on so many levels it hurts my brain. Suffice to say that people will be led to expect a quick-paced novel (DaVinci Code) that actually understands history and has a plot that holds together. But Resurrection is NOT that book. So many people will be disappointed by Resurrection based on that blurb.
In fact, that blurb almost made me avoid Resurrection, but I decided it was stupid publishing house tricks and happily got past it. Thank goodness I did.
I really loved this book a lot. It's got a quiet feeling, but it moves the way a river flows. I read it quickly and found myself not wanting it to end. But it is not a thriller.
It certainly stimulated my interest in the Nag Hammadi gospels and has led me off on another book-buying research trip to find out more. I like books that do that. I also admit that I adore Egypt and books on Egypt. If you really liked this book, I highly recommend Ahdaf Souief, particularly her book "In the Eye of the Sun", which takes place in a similar time (earlier in the century if I remember correctly) but has a similar feel. It's not about Christianity however.
I had 2 thoughts about this book. One is a nit. These are supposed to be British characters, and yet one character describes baba ghanoush to another as being made with eggplant. Eggplant is an American word. The Brits use the French word, aubergine. That just stuck out to me and irritated me, but it's a nit and the editors' fault really.
The other thing that bothered me was the relationship between Gemma and Michael. It wasn't that I didn't believe it, but I personally have no patience/time for wounded/broken men. I don't have the co-dependent caretaker mentality, so I mostly wanted to smack Michael through the book.
SPOILER here (don't read further) - It is Anthony that runs off into the desert to save Gemma, not Michael, and I pretty much thought that said all that needed to be said about the character of the 2 men. I didn't think there was a choice between Michael and Anthony, it was obvious as day is long to me. END SPOILER
One last thought, I tried to recommend this to a friend (she is Catholic, but I was raised Catholic as well) as I thought she'd be interested but the minute I mentioned the Nag Hammadi gospels she shut down and said it was all nonsense. That surprised me in 2009. However, it just reinforced the actions of some of the characters in the book.
In fact, that blurb almost made me avoid Resurrection, but I decided it was stupid publishing house tricks and happily got past it. Thank goodness I did.
I really loved this book a lot. It's got a quiet feeling, but it moves the way a river flows. I read it quickly and found myself not wanting it to end. But it is not a thriller.
It certainly stimulated my interest in the Nag Hammadi gospels and has led me off on another book-buying research trip to find out more. I like books that do that. I also admit that I adore Egypt and books on Egypt. If you really liked this book, I highly recommend Ahdaf Souief, particularly her book "In the Eye of the Sun", which takes place in a similar time (earlier in the century if I remember correctly) but has a similar feel. It's not about Christianity however.
I had 2 thoughts about this book. One is a nit. These are supposed to be British characters, and yet one character describes baba ghanoush to another as being made with eggplant. Eggplant is an American word. The Brits use the French word, aubergine. That just stuck out to me and irritated me, but it's a nit and the editors' fault really.
The other thing that bothered me was the relationship between Gemma and Michael. It wasn't that I didn't believe it, but I personally have no patience/time for wounded/broken men. I don't have the co-dependent caretaker mentality, so I mostly wanted to smack Michael through the book.
SPOILER here (don't read further) - It is Anthony that runs off into the desert to save Gemma, not Michael, and I pretty much thought that said all that needed to be said about the character of the 2 men. I didn't think there was a choice between Michael and Anthony, it was obvious as day is long to me. END SPOILER
One last thought, I tried to recommend this to a friend (she is Catholic, but I was raised Catholic as well) as I thought she'd be interested but the minute I mentioned the Nag Hammadi gospels she shut down and said it was all nonsense. That surprised me in 2009. However, it just reinforced the actions of some of the characters in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2009
I picked this book up because I'm fascinated by early Christianity and it's myth, and antiquity in general, and I love novels where educated people couch their story in the frame of history - I found it to be overall not an un-enjoyable read, but a bit disappointing.
Perhaps my perspective of Malarkey's effort at the novel is askew since I've read many of the Nag-Hammadi texts (and find them not as mysterious as she tries to make them) and many of the acknowledged sources for her book (which sometimes tell a better story, though that may be unfair since commentaries & histories are not burdened with contrivance and plot and the need for overt creativity).
I felt her conclusions about the texts in the story were manufactured and reaching, and thus weakened the novel in general. As a result the tension felt forced and feigned throughout, which was frustrating. I'm willing to concede though that it maybe part of the point and reflects the broader reality of the Nag-Hammadi find: the Gnostic Gospels as a concept should be at least a little bit ground breaking to most people of faith, but still to this day elicit mostly a briefly raised eyebrow followed by a yawn. Read the actual texts if you have the chance. A bit obtuse, but lovely as verse.
The novel is entertainment, but ultimately not lost to me is the irony that I may have more enjoyed a novel about gnosticism if I knew less.
Perhaps my perspective of Malarkey's effort at the novel is askew since I've read many of the Nag-Hammadi texts (and find them not as mysterious as she tries to make them) and many of the acknowledged sources for her book (which sometimes tell a better story, though that may be unfair since commentaries & histories are not burdened with contrivance and plot and the need for overt creativity).
I felt her conclusions about the texts in the story were manufactured and reaching, and thus weakened the novel in general. As a result the tension felt forced and feigned throughout, which was frustrating. I'm willing to concede though that it maybe part of the point and reflects the broader reality of the Nag-Hammadi find: the Gnostic Gospels as a concept should be at least a little bit ground breaking to most people of faith, but still to this day elicit mostly a briefly raised eyebrow followed by a yawn. Read the actual texts if you have the chance. A bit obtuse, but lovely as verse.
The novel is entertainment, but ultimately not lost to me is the irony that I may have more enjoyed a novel about gnosticism if I knew less.
July 26, 2014
I ended up enjoying Resurrection despite its slow start. The book follows Gemma Bastin as she travels to Egypt to settle the affairs of her recently deceased father. Upon arriving in Cario, Gemma is taken in by her father's friend, David Lazar. Gemma stays at the Lazar's home getting to know the family, including David's two son's Michael and Anthony. While clearing her father's office, Gemma begins to discover what her father, an archaeologist, was working on; the location of lost scriptures that would change the face of Christianity. Gemma becomes as immersed in this mystery as her father, despite Anthony attempts to dissuade her from looking deeper (it seems her father's death may not have been an accident). However, Gemma follows the clues and finds the answers that she is looking for.
While I was expecting this book to be more along the lines of the movie, The Mummy and got something more like The DaVinci Code, I still really enjoyed the novel once Gemma really started to delve into the mystery of what her father was working on when he died. I thought the novel was very well-written and had an extremely atmospheric tone to it. I would recommend this novel to those that like the questioning of history and how history, like something like Christianity, has been shaped by those that write it - a very interesting concept in the novel.
While I was expecting this book to be more along the lines of the movie, The Mummy and got something more like The DaVinci Code, I still really enjoyed the novel once Gemma really started to delve into the mystery of what her father was working on when he died. I thought the novel was very well-written and had an extremely atmospheric tone to it. I would recommend this novel to those that like the questioning of history and how history, like something like Christianity, has been shaped by those that write it - a very interesting concept in the novel.
May 15, 2021
This book really did not live up to my expectations. It has been in my sitting on TBR-shelf for a long time, probably because of the previous opinions about it that I read.
To be honest, I have to say that I used it as a 'bedside table book', so that the trouble I had getting fascinated by the story, I initially blamed on the time of reading. But even when I read at a different time, things didn't really go smoothly.
The romantic storyline could have been deleted as far as I am concerned. I'm generally not a fan of that, but this was really something. Start a relationship with an addict who has mood swings? And if he then commits heroic suicide just move on to his brother, as if they are one and the same? That Anthony Ifound a strange guy.
Anyway, enough about the 'romance'. Much more interesting I would have found a more elaborated story on the Gospels, Gnostics. After reading this book I have the feeling that I have not become much wiser.
And then the thriller part .. Just as half-baked as the romance. Yes, some people are dying, but I never found the book worth the denomination thriller.
To be honest, I have to say that I used it as a 'bedside table book', so that the trouble I had getting fascinated by the story, I initially blamed on the time of reading. But even when I read at a different time, things didn't really go smoothly.
The romantic storyline could have been deleted as far as I am concerned. I'm generally not a fan of that, but this was really something. Start a relationship with an addict who has mood swings? And if he then commits heroic suicide just move on to his brother, as if they are one and the same? That Anthony Ifound a strange guy.
Anyway, enough about the 'romance'. Much more interesting I would have found a more elaborated story on the Gospels, Gnostics. After reading this book I have the feeling that I have not become much wiser.
And then the thriller part .. Just as half-baked as the romance. Yes, some people are dying, but I never found the book worth the denomination thriller.
July 11, 2009
...isolation is not the answer. We must be braver than that...God exists in the space between us, when we reach out for each other. We find him when we seek each other."
A lovely story about haunted, damaged people looking for answers in post WWII Cairo and the true story of the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels. Beautifully written with the sparseness of the desert in which it takes place. All that is superficial is scourched away leaving only the essential. What is God, how do we find him, what is his message to us? Like THE DAVINCI CODE, it seeks the role of women in the founding of Christianity and asks why they disappeared. Will such books change the Catholic Church? Are we witnessing the beginning of a sea change that may take more than our lifetimes to accomplish?
A very thoughtful book, beautifully written.
A lovely story about haunted, damaged people looking for answers in post WWII Cairo and the true story of the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels. Beautifully written with the sparseness of the desert in which it takes place. All that is superficial is scourched away leaving only the essential. What is God, how do we find him, what is his message to us? Like THE DAVINCI CODE, it seeks the role of women in the founding of Christianity and asks why they disappeared. Will such books change the Catholic Church? Are we witnessing the beginning of a sea change that may take more than our lifetimes to accomplish?
A very thoughtful book, beautifully written.
February 10, 2008
Thought provoking historical novel set after WWII in Egypt, dealing with the discovery of the "Lost Gospels" at Nag Hamadi and how they may offer an expanded/controversial view of Christianity that includes women in a central leadership role. Explores the complex and capricious way history is actually written, with "facts" a matter of opinion and arrangement. Will remind you of "Da Vinci Code" but not as much of a page turner. (The love story subplot was secondary for me, but was interesting in exploring how victims(military and non-military) of war try to resume life in "ordinary" times.)
March 13, 2009
A bit slow at times and somewhat contrived. I am reading it because I am going to Egypt next week - a good plane read.
I found this book slow paced and going nowhere plotwise. The last third of the book is a bit better. The romances are quite ridiculous as are other events - contrived and stretching the feminist point. The only part I enjoyed is the history and some of the culture. Not really recommended.
I found this book slow paced and going nowhere plotwise. The last third of the book is a bit better. The romances are quite ridiculous as are other events - contrived and stretching the feminist point. The only part I enjoyed is the history and some of the culture. Not really recommended.
April 9, 2009
The topic was interesting (the lost gospels) and the setting had potential (Cairo) but the heroine and characters were predictable, unbelievable, or stereotypical. I was disappointed, but finished it anyway. Read it if you don't have anything else handy, but don't go out and buy it.
June 28, 2007
Engrossing. It's one of those books that sends me off to read a bunch of others. Starting with the texts of the Gnostic Gospels.
August 1, 2007
A admit - a ridiculous last name - Malarkey!? but wonderful - brings you into a roving tale about Egypt and archaeology during the second WW.
July 14, 2008
Intriguing story along the lines of the DaVinci code but highlighting the gnostic gospels. Piqued my interest to read further.
April 5, 2009
it took a long time to get the story rolling along. Other than that..not too bad.
August 23, 2020
I give this a resounding "pretty good." I finished it a while ago, so my memory might be a little hazy. What I really loved about this one was the setting and the way Malarkey throws us deeply into place. Now, I say this as someone who has never been to Egypt, so I can't vouch for accuracy, but I can vouch for feeling like I had traveled somewhere I've never been. I might not have sand in my shoes, but especially during a pandemic, I felt this book took me somewhere -- and during a time of uncertainty, proving people can survive uncertain times. (Though some don't.)
At first the character of Gemma was a bit off-putting, until I remembered that she was grieving - things then made more sense. She is a strong character, pretty well-developed, as I recall. But that said, there are a lot of grieving people in this book. And given the time and all, that's understandable, but it gets to be too much. It's not tempered by much. I thought this book was going to be more action-adventure. I've read quite a few of those, most of them taking place in current times, and kind of ridiculous (though frequently enjoyable for a one-time go) in the way the heroes subvert danger and come through in the end. I suppose that's part of the genre. This book is far more subtle on the action-adventure part, and not in a good way. There just wasn't enough, given the subject matter. I don't want to read a character who's totally flat, but in this kind of book, I want to read more action. I don't even remember the names of the other characters two and half months after finishing it, but I do remember they felt somewhat flat, and the injured guy felt tedious inside his grief. If I wanted to read a book about grieving people, I would have picked up one about the topic. I don't feel the characters to be fully-formed; the guy missing his leg is like a boring broken record.
I do recall the scene of the riverboat ride, and to me that's where the best of the writing comes into play - more depth to the characters, more intrigue, and more scenery. Malarkey excels at place. Just the rest of it was not as I had hoped. I don't think I would necessarily recommend this book, but I wouldn't say to ignore it if it falls into your lap.
My brief vegan take on this one: besides the camel exploitation, which is gross, the worst part of this book is during the boat ride, when Gemma asks if the hen on board is going to be eaten "soon." If not, she would name the hen. I'm not going to go into the issues of setting and food and location, because I obviously know that people eat and have eaten animals for centuries. But that line was particularly troubling. Of course, it's appropriate to give a human name to an animal for your comfort until you decide it's time to kill and eat them.
At first the character of Gemma was a bit off-putting, until I remembered that she was grieving - things then made more sense. She is a strong character, pretty well-developed, as I recall. But that said, there are a lot of grieving people in this book. And given the time and all, that's understandable, but it gets to be too much. It's not tempered by much. I thought this book was going to be more action-adventure. I've read quite a few of those, most of them taking place in current times, and kind of ridiculous (though frequently enjoyable for a one-time go) in the way the heroes subvert danger and come through in the end. I suppose that's part of the genre. This book is far more subtle on the action-adventure part, and not in a good way. There just wasn't enough, given the subject matter. I don't want to read a character who's totally flat, but in this kind of book, I want to read more action. I don't even remember the names of the other characters two and half months after finishing it, but I do remember they felt somewhat flat, and the injured guy felt tedious inside his grief. If I wanted to read a book about grieving people, I would have picked up one about the topic. I don't feel the characters to be fully-formed; the guy missing his leg is like a boring broken record.
I do recall the scene of the riverboat ride, and to me that's where the best of the writing comes into play - more depth to the characters, more intrigue, and more scenery. Malarkey excels at place. Just the rest of it was not as I had hoped. I don't think I would necessarily recommend this book, but I wouldn't say to ignore it if it falls into your lap.
My brief vegan take on this one: besides the camel exploitation, which is gross, the worst part of this book is during the boat ride, when Gemma asks if the hen on board is going to be eaten "soon." If not, she would name the hen. I'm not going to go into the issues of setting and food and location, because I obviously know that people eat and have eaten animals for centuries. But that line was particularly troubling. Of course, it's appropriate to give a human name to an animal for your comfort until you decide it's time to kill and eat them.
January 4, 2022
I was drawn to this novel because the plot revolves around the gnostic gospels. I had studied them previously on my path to atheism, and I have always wondered if those leaders who moved the young Christian sect away from its roots had not done so, whether the religion would have become a force for peace and good instead for the violence and evil it exhibited through the centuries. A few of the characters in this novel wonder the same thing, and naively think that revealing the suppressed gospels to the world might still bring it about.
This book is a thriller, though without the endless car chases, near misses and other action scenes of the genre, such as The DaVinci Code, which is based on the same gospels. I can’t compare this book to that massive best seller, me being one of those rare creatures who hasn’t read Dan Brown's book or even seen the Tom Hanks movie. Resurrection doesn’t seem to run too close to the cliches and formula of thrillers, though there is the normal ominous shadows of bad guys in slow pursuit throughout, and the story features main characters who are all gorgeous to behold, though only the men seem to know this about themselves, and spend the book convincing the woman that she is also beautiful. Other characters are either older (though formerly gorgeous) or homely in the case of the evildoers.
Because of the philosophical and historical aspects of the story, it held me sufficiently to finish the book. But the people didn’t draw me in enough to really care what happened to them. That may just me, becaus thrillers, as I hinted above, have never been prominent in my reading list. If you enjoy reading a thriller, or in this case, a thriller-lite, I expect you will like Resurrection. It covers a deep subject, but does so in a readable fashion that won’t slow you down.
This book is a thriller, though without the endless car chases, near misses and other action scenes of the genre, such as The DaVinci Code, which is based on the same gospels. I can’t compare this book to that massive best seller, me being one of those rare creatures who hasn’t read Dan Brown's book or even seen the Tom Hanks movie. Resurrection doesn’t seem to run too close to the cliches and formula of thrillers, though there is the normal ominous shadows of bad guys in slow pursuit throughout, and the story features main characters who are all gorgeous to behold, though only the men seem to know this about themselves, and spend the book convincing the woman that she is also beautiful. Other characters are either older (though formerly gorgeous) or homely in the case of the evildoers.
Because of the philosophical and historical aspects of the story, it held me sufficiently to finish the book. But the people didn’t draw me in enough to really care what happened to them. That may just me, becaus thrillers, as I hinted above, have never been prominent in my reading list. If you enjoy reading a thriller, or in this case, a thriller-lite, I expect you will like Resurrection. It covers a deep subject, but does so in a readable fashion that won’t slow you down.
June 9, 2021
Gemma Bastian pleca, fără tragere de inimă, de la spital într-o permisie de două zile, când un stol de vrăbii o făcu să-şi ridice privirile din pământ. Ochii ei urmăriră păsările care săgetau cerul, şi întârziară pe soarele palid ce apunea. Deşi îi era frig, merse încet prin East End, luând-o pe un drum necunoscut care i-ar fi putut întârzia întoarcerea într-un apartament pustiu, dar plin de obiecte care nu erau ale ei, dulapurile cu fantome ale trecutului în care nu putea sălăşlui, dar de care nici nu se putea lipsi. Asemenea lucruri nu se aruncă. Se dau celor nevoiaşi, sau se vând la magazinele de mâna a doua. Dar ea nu putea suporta posibilitatea reîncarnării lor, nu voia ca rochia galbenă a mamei să treacă într-o zi pe lângă ea pe stradă.
Aruncă o privire scurtă către o casă de cărămidă năruită, unde în partea lovită de bombe apăruseră schele. Gemma continuase să ignore hotărâtă slabele încercări ale oraşului de a se reface. Aici, în East End, era o luptă fără sfârşit. Una dintre marile cruzimi ale războiului era că bombele trimise de Luftwaffe provocaseră cele mai mari distrugeri în cea mai săracă parte a Londrei. Acum, pe când se lăsa înserarea, oamenii se întorceau de la slujbele lor acasă, în cartierele lor demolate, şi aprindeau luminile. Iar asta continua să o surprindă. În timpul camuflajului, o pâlpâire de chihlimbar însemnase foc, nu căldura unui cămin în care arde o lampă. Ochii Gemmei trecură de la o fereastră la alta. Pentru unii oameni, viaţa mersese mai departe.
Aruncă o privire scurtă către o casă de cărămidă năruită, unde în partea lovită de bombe apăruseră schele. Gemma continuase să ignore hotărâtă slabele încercări ale oraşului de a se reface. Aici, în East End, era o luptă fără sfârşit. Una dintre marile cruzimi ale războiului era că bombele trimise de Luftwaffe provocaseră cele mai mari distrugeri în cea mai săracă parte a Londrei. Acum, pe când se lăsa înserarea, oamenii se întorceau de la slujbele lor acasă, în cartierele lor demolate, şi aprindeau luminile. Iar asta continua să o surprindă. În timpul camuflajului, o pâlpâire de chihlimbar însemnase foc, nu căldura unui cămin în care arde o lampă. Ochii Gemmei trecură de la o fereastră la alta. Pentru unii oameni, viaţa mersese mai departe.
December 28, 2021
Very thoughtful read. I was a history major and anthropology minor in college, so I did study the Lost Gospels; but I was probably too young to really understand their significance.
This book really helped me make sense of some of my frustration with the established Christian churches. I believe in God, and I believe in Christ and his message. However, I do not believe in organized religion’s exclusive and hateful view of those unlike themselves. It constantly eats at me, and this book made me feel like I wasn’t alone. While I don’t accept this book as truth, I do actually feel more secure in my faith after reading it. I now feel like it’s ok to believe in Christ and still hate what Man has done to his memory. The two are not the same thing.
As for the characters, I adored Gemma’s strength and intelligence. I appreciated that the author could write such complex characters, showing us their faults, while still respecting them. I’ve never been to Egypt and will probably never make it. But I felt like I got to visit a bit through this book.
If you avoid God because of the mess that organized religion has made, I urge you to read this book and find Him again within yourself.
This book really helped me make sense of some of my frustration with the established Christian churches. I believe in God, and I believe in Christ and his message. However, I do not believe in organized religion’s exclusive and hateful view of those unlike themselves. It constantly eats at me, and this book made me feel like I wasn’t alone. While I don’t accept this book as truth, I do actually feel more secure in my faith after reading it. I now feel like it’s ok to believe in Christ and still hate what Man has done to his memory. The two are not the same thing.
As for the characters, I adored Gemma’s strength and intelligence. I appreciated that the author could write such complex characters, showing us their faults, while still respecting them. I’ve never been to Egypt and will probably never make it. But I felt like I got to visit a bit through this book.
If you avoid God because of the mess that organized religion has made, I urge you to read this book and find Him again within yourself.
July 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this fascinating story about the gospels and wondered why I hadn't heard more about them before. The references to 1940s Cairo were wonderful. The story and characters were good. I was a little disappointed by the ending as I think it should have been Anthony who went to her, not her to him, and I wanted more of their relationship developing, since we never really got to know him. But overall a good book - and I wish I'd gotten it on kindle so I could have underlined some of the good writing. The ex-pat condescension toward Egyptians, for example, or the parts about Jesus not wanting to forget about half of humanity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2018
Very, very, VERY thought-provoking!!...as I listened to the audio cd, I could see in my mind's eye the movie version...a la The English Patient...this would be a lovely film...and probably cause as much controversy and protest as The DaVinci Code and several others have from those who may find a fictional novel threatening.
July 25, 2021
Strong female protagonist, good story and interesting setting. Historical fiction tale set in Egypt of finding and fighting for the gnostic gospels, and why Catholic Church didn't want them published. I especially liked reading about the similarities of ancient goddesses and savior myths over the centuries with the story of Jesus.
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July 31, 2024Around the end of WWII, with the discovery and translation of the Lost Gospels of Nag Hammadi (Thomas, Phillip and "Thunder", believed to be Mary Magdalene) in Egypt, those associated with the discoveries began dyeing mysterious deaths. Gemma Bastian goes to Egypt in search of the truth about her father, Charles Bastian's death.
April 18, 2022
Mediocre writing, terrible dialogue, implausible plot. I should have bailed at the first instance of random kissing, but I stayed for the gnostic gospel storyline. Actually, I should bump this down to one star, solely due to the rival brother romance subplot. Uggggg, done waste your time.
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