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John

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About this listen

 In the years following the death of Jesus Christ, John the Apostle, now a frail, blind old man, lives in forced exile on the desolate island of Patmos with a small group of his disciples. Together, the group has endured their banishment, but after years awaiting Christ's return, fissures form within their faith, and, inevitably, one of John's followers disavows Christ's divinity and breaks away from the community, threatening to change the course of Christianity. When the Roman emperor lifts the banishment of Christians, John and his followers are permitted to return to Ephesus, a chaotic world of competing religious sects where Christianity is in danger of vanishing. It is against this turbulent background – and inspired by Jesus's radical message of love and forgiveness – that John comes to dictate his Gospel. Immensely impressive – and based on actual historical events – John is at once an ambitious and provocative reimagining of the last surviving apostle and a powerful look at faith and how it lives and dies in the hearts of men.©2008 Niall Williams. (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt

Editor reviews

A formidable work of scholarship and imagination, this is a beautifully written reimagining of John the Apostle's final years in exile. Old, frail, and blind, John has instructed his small group of followers on the island of Patmos to wait for Christ's return, but he is slow in coming. The faith of the men dwindles, and even John himself is tested. Eventually John and his followers return to Ephesus, where John dictates his Gospel. Performer Nicholas Bell brings beautifully enunciated and rhythmic narration to this richly imagined account of the last surviving apostle.

Critic reviews

'Powerful and moving ... an absorbing and intelligent novel.' (The Times Literary Supplement)
'Irish novelist Williams takes spiritual issues seriously – and continues to write compellingly about them.' (Kirkus Reviews)
'The writing is unfailingly resourceful and strong, able to range from the physical realities of poverty and deprivation to the exaltation of religious faith and the poignancies of memory. And the novel as a whole constitutes an eloquent and moving statement of the power of love and the belief that it will triumph in the end.' (The Guardian)
'Gripping and believable ... In an age where reason and science have shown themselves inadequate to fulfil the human dream of perfection, it is important that serious writers such as Williams face the perennial questions of faith and love.' (The Irish Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Niall Williams what a writer- such a gift to us all . Thank you Niall Williams
The narrator Nicholas Bell - sublime voice such a great narrator

Absolutely wonderful

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Difficult to keep going! Rather unsatisfying. Read it for book group wouldn’t have chosen. Interesting idea to image how John’s life might have unfolded but failed to achieve.

Genre? Fiction with fact , lots of descriptions but didn’t grip or keep attention. Struggled to finish . Book group choice.

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