Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good.
Review: It is a shame that Myers doesn't write fiction as well as he does screenplays (notably the wonderful McGee and Me series.) This book was more disappointing than even his religious sci fi. Conrad Davis slips into a parallel universe where Christianity hasn't happened yet and a new messiah named Eli is born in a laundry room in Santa Monica. Somehow the world had evolved as if Christianity had occurred however: hotel rooms have Bibles including only the Old Testament, not Talmudic tracts, the non-Jewish characters do not worship Greek gods but are monotheists, there are crystal cathedrals and evangelical theme parks celebrating Old Testament figures and a monotheist God- but they are certainly not Jewish. Did the Reformation happen anyway? While the idea of a Messiah ploped down in contemporary life has potential, this book doesn't achieve it. The concept is half-baked and the interspersing between realities and memories is confusing. None of the characters is fleshed out- maybe Myers is better when he writes for actors who can add personality. It's a shame. In religious fiction Myers is certainly no Madelline L'Engle and not even a C.S. Lewis.
Rating:
Summary: Explore This Parallel Universe!
Review: Reading a Bill Myers novel is like wading into a pond that's deeper than you expect. His writing, though simple, is fast-paced and effective. So long as I set aside my "Elements of Grammar" book, I'm able to enjoy his creative premises and engaging plots. In this, his fourth adult novel and my favorite to date, Myers explores the idea of a parallel universe very like our own society where Jesus/Eli has just arrived on the scene. A media man, Conrad Ellis, is thrust into this parallel universe by a life-threatening car accident. As his family gathers in one universe and weighs important issues, Conrad lives life in the parallel universe as a follower of Eli. Eli is a noncompromising person who shows love and grace and a leaning toward humor. He leads a group of followers across the America, preaching and teaching his gospel message. Of course, he is not without detractors, particularly the religious leaders of the day. Eli is a threat to their status quo. Myers cleverly works in Biblical parables and miracles. Eli's dialogue directly parallels Jesus's words at times without sounding outdated. I was mildly disappointed by the depiction of Jake/Peter's denial, and I would've liked more of Eli's personal interaction after his resurrection, but overall Myer's captures the gist of the Gospels in a powerful way. "Eli" works on most levels and definitely made me consider what our collective reaction would've been if Jesus had arrived in our present culture. Although some reviewers have noted the discrepancies with A.D. (anno domino) dating, Myers never actually dates anything in the parallel universe; at only one time does Conrad assign a date in his own mind to the clothing and styles of the hippie generation. Yes, Conrad is slow to recognize certain parallels, but for the story's sake he advances slowly. In this manner, Myers is able to take the reader through a similar heart change--and therein lies this novel's power.
Rating:
Summary: Reality Of Christ
Review: Summary of book:
Story surrounds journalist Conrad Davis living in southern California, cheated on wife, estranged from daughter Julia. An accident on the California highway sends him into a coma. While in a coma, he awakens in a parallel universe, same as ours, except for the fact that Jesus did not come to Earth 2,000 years ago, but today. And his name is Eli Shepherd. From witnessing Eli's birth in a laundry mat in the early 70s...then time traveling to present day in this parallel universe, where he becomes one of Eli's disciples, Conrad comes to the realization that he is empty. The book shifts from Conrad and other disciples following Eli across the U.S. in the parallel world, to Conrad lying in a coma, practically brain dead, in the this world, while daughter Julia, who has Power of Attorney to pull the plug on her dad's life, combats this decision. We see Eli performing miracles, telling parables and eventually making enemies of the religious elite, i.e. present-day Pharisees. While Conrad follows Eli, he becomes overwhelmed by how much love Eli shows to others despite any opposition or vocal abuse one sends his way.
In the present world, Conrad's life appears to be ebbing away, and Julia, who like her dad, left her spouse, is reminiscing about how her dad failed at his promises when she was younger, but still struggling whether to let the hospital take him off life support.
The book goes back and forth between these two worlds, with Conrad working out his faith, and belief in Eli, i.e. Jesus. Apparently the Lord has given him a chance even while in a coma to come to Him. Likes:
The concept of Jesus not being born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, but today in the U.S. and how the world would be different. Bill Myers parallels the story in the Bible to a present day fictional account. The book sent various emotional responses to me, ranging from love for others, to compassion and sadness for what Eli/Jesus went through on everyone's behalf. The story engrossed me. One scene in particular, I liked, was a tornado bearing down on where the disciples were hidden in a storm cellar in Kansas. Meanwhile, Eli is walking toward them, with the twister about 100 yards to his left, and Jake, who paralled, the disciple Peter, emerges from the storm cellar, and walks to Eli, keeping his eyes on him. As he draws closer, his eyes and focus shift from Eli to the tornado. The tornado starts to pick him up, then Eli grabs hold of him, and eventually the tornado dissipates. This of course, relates to the biblical account of Peter, walking on the water, and losing his faith and focus on Jesus, starts to sink. Dislikes:
The rush at the end when Eli is "crucified", and resurrectes on the third day. Felt that Bill Myers could have spent more time on this scene. Final Thoughts:
This book could be used as a witnessing tool, to those who love to read, but do not know Christ. The Bible, of course, is the first and foremost book, to go to for the way to salvation, but Eli, I believe, can help people think about their relationshop with God, in an easier to read story. The parallel universe theory must have come from Star Trek. Good job, Bill Myers.
Rating: 
Summary: Jesus in our time?
Review: The premise behind this book was excellent, but I found the writing a little weak. The book is still worth reading, but there are many inconsistencies. For example, although I can't recall the churches ever being described as Christian, how could there be churches that follow the Christian faith and beliefs if Jesus wasn't born until the 1960's. Wouldn't the primary churches be Judaism and other old religions. The concept is good, but the background material needs more thought.
Rating: 
Summary: Fictionilized Gospels
Review: This book's plot is not all that original. It is a fictionalized version of the gospels after all written nearly two thousand years ago. However Meyers writes this "novelization" with admirable zest and imagination. His premise even of having the messiah born at a Motel 6 by itself is interesting, let alone some of the scenes of Eli's travels with his colorful disciples.
I am man enough to admit that tears glistened in my eyes reading some passages of this book. Meyers parallels the gospels setting it in modern times with no loss of power. In fact my masculinity can even bear my confessing I was outright crying by this novel's conclussions.
Meyer's style is not preachy, well not preachy considering this is a Christian novel. His writing is more a parable of Christs life and I would venture even to the none Christian the story itself is a worth-while read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book!!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read!!!! Bill Myers is a wonderful Christian author who truly puts his heart into his books. I loved this book so much that I emailed the author to thank him for writing it which is something I have never done before.You can't read about Eli without it touching your heart profoundly! I highly recommend this book to everyone and when your finished you will want to read his other books as well!!!
Rating:
Summary: Mercy + Justice = Jesus
Review: When this book caught my eye in the bookstore I didn't expect it to be this amazing. The idea of getting a glimpse of what it would be like if Jesus had come 2,000 years later, today, was very intrigueing. In this book I was impacted time and time again over the truths, emotions, and outcome that Jesus, or "Eli", made and provoked. I was reminded and given a firm reason to why we so desperately need Jesus's blood and death. Have you ever had a Bible that translates things into "today terms"? Such as when they talk about a certain about of money and they have a footnote that says exactly how much that money would be worth today? Well, "Eli" is like a big footnote for the story of Jesus. Bill Myers puts the story of Jesus into terms that we can relate to, and the effect is breathtaking. I highly recommend this book if you are familiar with the story of Jesus, but if you aren't then please read the real thing first in the book of John in the Bible.
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