Rating: 
Summary: A very absorbing book...
Review: Despite being almost 600 pages, this book reads very quickly. Interesting characters, good story, fascinating subject matter (apocalypticism) all combined to make a great book. I had recently read 'Pierced by a Sword' by McFarlane (another hot Catholic fiction title), but actually liked this book a little bit more. The author throws a lot of little pearls into the story such as the theological debate between Smokrev and Elijah, and the discussion between Father Smith and Elijah about the liberalism rampant in the Church today (boy was that right on the money). I think what makes this book good is that it is very believable fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Very Compelling - Very Catholic - Very Christian
Review: What a novel! Others may find the start as dragging but the narrative was necessary for the end to be understood. As a Catholic Christian, the novel spoke to the very core of understanding the Church that Christ established and its role in the history of Man.The plot was unpredictable until the end and still left the reader to his own conclusions to what he thinks would transpire beyond the last pages of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys apocalyptic or end-time stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Good characters, bad writing...
Review: Much like the works of George MacDonald, Michael O'Brien has created some wonderful characters and an entrancing story, but his writing leaves much to be desired. I like the "slow" pace of the story, and many of the insights that it presents. But in terms of effective storytelling, many episodes are disconnected from the storyline. The discovery of the tomb of Mary, e.g., is not really synthesized into the plot at all. In addition, the emphasis on Church politics is annoying. There are many books to read before this: anything by Henryk K. Sienkiewicz comes to mind.
Rating:
Summary: Apocalypse Now!
Review: You must read this book. O'Brien is a fantastic storyteller who builds his Apocalypse around Father Elijah, a Jewish convert to the faith who is yanked out of seclusion in a monastery to do the impossible - preach the Word to Anti-Christ - in the hopes of saving his soul and the world. What makes this book is not the task, anyone could think that up, but the manner in which O'Brien frames the issues and the characters he uses to do it. The scenarios are plausible and, more so than any other book I've read, I really found myself enthralled with this story of good versus evil. Lastly, O'Brien provides a lot of cause for the reader to stop and think. I found myself praying often. This is a book about spiritual warfare and how good people must rise to the occasion. In short, it is about you and I but on a grand scale. I have to rank this as one of my favorite books, and I hope it will be the same for you. Buy the book and give yourself a big block of time to read it all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King gone Catholic x 1000
Review: This is the best book I have ever read. I planned on reading a few hours every night, and yet i read it straight through, not stopping for almost 15 hours except for food, and then I had to call in sick to work because I was so exhausted and scared. This book still scares me when I think about it, it was that good. A masterpiece of literature, it employs symbolism and foreshadowing in a way that modern writers usually neglect, and the philisophical dialogues that otherwise would bore the modern reader have been inserted so masterfully as to keep the pages turning and turning, discussing deep concepts like empiricism/naturalism v. metaphysics, relativism v. absolutism, ecuminism (reaching true unity) v. false truth crushing unity. I could go on and on, but i believe it is sufficient to say that anyone who can get this book needs to read it as soon as they can. This should be required reading for all catachumens, confirmands, and especially the episcopate!
Rating:
Summary: testimony to living faith
Review: Father Elijah is a linear, headlong narrative like The Man Who Was Thursday, but it culminates so much more along the way. One senses spiritual forces at work around the characters in the book, yet the writing does not take on an air of mere omnipotence. It creates these characters as living entities in a mysterious though dangerous world, in which their actions do seriously matter in the realm of Divine Providence. One could almost say that the book is filled with spiritual suspense, a deep undercurrent of good and evil at war beneath an ever chancing surface. In the midst of all this dire stuff though, Michael O'Brien starkly gives us a fervent communion and also calls us to watch and awake to this living world so we can live in Faith and be saved by Christ. The structure of Father Elijah the novel also interested me deeply. It starts off with a contemplative monk who has been for 20 years or so living in the monastary and then is suddenly plunged into a massively shifting modern world. This first structural premise is pure genius and later reveals how inspired it is. The first major conversation in the novel between Elijah and his superior is magically saturated with a sense of twenty years time suddenly being suspended in a spontaneous and peacefully resolute moment. It begins primarily with an end, giving it a deep sense of history, yet moves ahead like a fairy tale; all fairy tales including grave dangers of course.
Rating:
Summary: Deep insights and wonderfully entertaining
Review: This is the second book I've read on the subject of the Millenia and, although I enjoyed the first one (Left Behind by LaHaye and Jenkins), Father Elijah is by far a better piece of literature. Michael O'Brien was able to capture the spirit of of the "Apocalypse" from a Roman Catholic perspective that made the plot and message much more insightful and spiritually fulfilling. I found myself putting the book down and entering into deep meditation and prayer at various moments throughout my reading. Also, the characters were quite special, almost like Icons of individuals we have read of, known or seen in todays world, making the literary work much more timely. I hope other readers enjoy Father Elijah as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: I lost track of time with this book-
Review: Basically this book takes both of its hands and pulls you in from the Get go. It is a passionate and wonderful read, that I am sure will leave (men)with long beards,(if you actually read that slow) and many bags under their already sleepy eyes. The affect this book will have on women is unknown to me, I have not conducted tests of that nature yet. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Best Apocalypse Novel I've Ever Read
Review: I'll be honest. Apocalyptic literature has not been my number one interest. Much of what I've read in this genre has seemed to be unbelievable; relying overmuch on the "fantastic". "Father Elijah" is different. Very different. Item: The author has a good grasp on the apocalyptic books of Scripture -- better, even, than many "Bible Christians". Item: The author has a good grasp on the inner workings of the Church. Item: The author has a good grasp of current events. Because of this, he is able to posit believable scenarios. Item: The author has an excellent grasp of the human heart and soul; what it means to serve God; what it means to live in obedience; and what it means to be a priest. Item: Finally, the author has an excellent grasp of God's overwhelming desire for the redemption of all His creation -- and the free will to choose to accept -- or deny -- the redemptive offering. "Father Elijah" is a must read. I give it my hearty endorsement.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Excellent
Review: I have never read any literature (apart from Scripture) that moved me so profoundly. In fact, it continues to move and challenge my conscience. I am an American Catholic (convert) and a Historian, trained by the Jesuits. Like many of my kind, I struggle with the near schismatic condition of the Church in America and with my feelings about this Pope. Becuase of this work, I was able to remember how much I love and really admire John Paul II and, even if I can't always agree with him, I think I will now keep a more wary eye on my heart and conscience when faced with dissenting opinions--my own as well as those of others. Can't wait to get started on more works by this author!
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