Last Day Abridged

Rating:
Summary: Riveting At Times
Review: Crude writing and hamhandedness does not prevent this author's message from clobbering the Catholic Church in this longwinded but powerful indictment of the "sacred." Rants at times and often gets silly, but a needed expose of Roman superstition, Vatican evil, and the hateful nature of Catholcism.

Rating:
Summary: Damn good read
Review: What's all the controversy and hubbub about? I don't see anything nasty, insulting or ranting about this book or its message. It's a novel. It's supposed to create tension and discord and strife in its plot. That's why they call these things "suspense thrillers." People who have a problem with the content in this book should constrain themselves to reading non-fiction, where things the authors say are meant to be taken literally. Here, we simply have a story, a bit unconventional, I'll grant you, but an interesting story that touches on a lot of fascinating topics. It's fun, if you just lighten up about it. Besides, if most of the things depicted in this book were to come true, the world would certainly be a far better place for it!

Rating:
Summary: Primo suspense thriller
Review: Sophisticated bit of storytelling. Can't ever second guess this one and can't put it down. Very well done.

Rating:
Summary: Lays it on the line--
Review: This novel tells it like it is, and I'm thrilled there are people in this world like Glenn Klieir with the courage and conviction to brave the bitter zealots and speak these truths. There is no better a novel, nor clearer or more powerful a voice in literature today. "The Last Day" is magnificent, and Klieir is a modern day prophet.

Rating:
Summary: Let's be honest...
Review: The Last Day does not spew venom at organized religion, but rather at the hypocrisy many religions have exhibited throughout the last 2,000 years. Frankly, there's far more damning indictments of organized religion in your local daily newspaper than in this book. Bottom line is if you are not inclined to 'graciously submit'; if you think for yourself and aren't buying the force fed religious doctrine being served up each Sunday, this book has a message of hope and redemption for you. And, that's why it is so highly valued by reviewers...

Rating:
Summary: It's only fiction!
Review: I don't understand what it is in this book that is so upsetting to some readers. This is FICTION! It's a very original and creative story, well researched, and granted, it can seem unnervingly real at times. But the fact of the matter is, it's NOT real! No religion is being maligned here. To write a fictional story that features factual elements (such as corruption and deceit in an institution), is a time honored device. Moreover, THE LAST DAY doesn't discredit any institution that I can see. It does expose very real problems within the hierarchies of certain denominations, hopefully leading to the correction of those problems. The seedy aspects of religion with which THE LAST DAY concerns itself are very important issues, as witnessed in virtually every newspaper across America on an almost daily basis--the Vatican's complicity in the Nazi gold scandal; the sexual abuse of young children by predatory pedophiliacs using religion as a cover (with their deeds often concealed by knowing superiors); the narrow-minded prejudice, exploitation, greed and avarice displayed by many so-called "Christian" organizations. These are very real issues which give THE LAST DAY a surprisingly vivid and believable cast--but it's still FICTION. Some online reviews here are exhibiting a very transparent effort to divert people from reading this message. The novel is beautifully written. Exceptionally and powerfully well written. Those religious folk out there who seem so driven to battle against this book should do their blood pressures a favor and just relax. Obviously from the overwhelming number of rave reviews here, the majority of readers appreciate what THE LAST DAY has to say, and the compelling way in which it says it. This novel is not going to undermine anyone's faith in their relgion. It's only going to call attention to those aspects in bad need of an overhaul. Criticism is healthy. And besides, it's only fiction!

Rating:
Summary: A rare find. . .
Review: Very seldom do I encounter a new novel that combines an exciting, thrilling plot with a sensitive and meaningful message. "The Last Day" is a truly beautiful story, and makes an invaluable contribution to contemporary culture because of the bold truth it conveys. It's revelations are both shocking and eye-opening, and ultimately inspiring. The message packs a power and an emotion that few writers demonstrate these days.

Rating:
Summary: Less Here than Some Reviews
Review: I consider myself an agnostic but I don't share the sheer delight some reviewers (and this author) takes in demeaning the faith of others. Especially disturbing is the way in which these beliefs are treated with such cavalier ignorance. Catholics, which is the only group the author may have a slight knowledge of (and have unresolved issues with from grade school) are treated in the most disturbing manner. This novel is amazingly misinformed, POORLY WRITTEN (other reviews dismiss that) and has so many axes grinding it ends up a personal tirade by the author.

Rating:
Summary: An important novel
Review: I loved it. This novel definitely has something very topical and contemporary to say to the many stodgy, paternalistic religions out there. It should be required reading for every ecclesiast attempting to convey the "word of God" to anyone. An exceptionally well written, prescient and timely work that affected me deeply.

Rating:
Summary: All the Southern Baptists need to read this!
Review: I can see why some people hate this book. It is one of the most damning (also hilarious and frightening!) indictments of religious hypocrisy I've ever read. Intelligently written, devastatingly insightful, and very, very convincing. The research is spectacular. I've been to both Jerusalem and the Vatican, and the accounts given in the story are dead-on accurate, as are the biblical references, which are astonishing. After reading the book, I'm convinced that people who hate this novel will use any trick they can to try and dissuade anyone else from reading it. That's because they fear it will do for others exactly what it did for me--expose the hidden chicanery, arrogance, materialism and self-centeredness of many world religions and their bureaucracies. Proof of this novel's value is displayed right here on this site--over 300 reviewers have felt compelled to share their thoughts on THE LAST DAY! If that's not a record, it's close. No book commands this type of response unless it's hitting some very sensitive nerves! This one does, in a powerful, rivetting, suspenseful and very meaningful manner.