Wil's Bones

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: I found the book interesting and very thought provoking. I'm surprised that someone out there hasn't made the preposterous claim of finding the bones of Jesus.

Rating:
Summary: good in some ways bad in others
Review: I had mixed feeling while reading this book. The plot was not original, Dr. Paul Maier's "A Skeleton in God's Closet" is much a much more realistic and informative treatment of this hypothetical. I also felt that this book ignored in a large part the "what if" implications for the reader if such an occasion were to occur.

The book attempts to be a thriller, and it achieves this somewhat. Through the political fallout that the discovery of Jesus' bones causes, the character dodges assassination attempts and stumbles upon evidence of presidential secrets. But I wasn't thrilled by any of the action which I found to be fairlu contrived.

I have to give the author props though in developing the main character's anti-christian bias and for maintaining it to the end of the book. Most christian writers would have the main character convert at the end, but this book is much more realistic about intellectual obstacles to faith.

In short I appreciated this dimension of the book but failed to enjoy any of the other dimensions. I do plan to read other books by this author, but if you are intrigued by the "What if Jesus' bones were found?" scenario, than read Paul Maier's book.

Rating:
Summary: good in some ways bad in others
Review: I had mixed feeling while reading this book. The plot was not original, Dr. Paul Maier's "A Skeleton in God's Closet" is much a much more realistic and informative treatment of this hypothetical. I also felt that this book ignored in a large part the "what if" implications for the reader if such an occasion were to occur.

The book attempts to be a thriller, and it achieves this somewhat. Through the political fallout that the discovery of Jesus' bones causes, the character dodges assassination attempts and stumbles upon evidence of presidential secrets. But I wasn't thrilled by any of the action which I found to be fairlu contrived.

I have to give the author props though in developing the main character's anti-christian bias and for maintaining it to the end of the book. Most christian writers would have the main character convert at the end, but this book is much more realistic about intellectual obstacles to faith.

In short I appreciated this dimension of the book but failed to enjoy any of the other dimensions. I do plan to read other books by this author, but if you are intrigued by the "What if Jesus' bones were found?" scenario, than read Paul Maier's book.

Rating:
Summary: Not my cup of tea
Review: I like books about archaeology and ancient religion, so this one caught my eye. However, I was disappointed. The basic plot promises so much but doesn't deliver. It's simplistic, naive and written at a juvenile level. In spite of a divinity degree, the author reveals lack of biblical knowledge. He seems to think Jesus' family members would have been buried in Bethlehem rather than Nazareth. He apparently has no familiarity with the long tradition that Joseph of Arimathea journeyed to Europe and England after Jesus' death. I feel sure that most archaeologists would find his descriptions of Wil's character and his hokey methods laughable. The characters aren't believable. The idea that the President of the United States would mastermind such a silly notion as illegal payroll diversions to his campaign from an archaeological dig that he was trying to cover up is ludicrous. I wondered if maybe the book was really a satire several times. But the silliest part is the way the author handled the reaction of the Christian world to the revelation that Jesus' bones had been found. In fact, there was hardly any reaction, to speak of. I shudder to think what would really happen if such a discovery were actually announced. This book is obviously evangelical Christian propaganda, even though that fact is not revealed anywhere in the publicity on the back cover nor in the book itself, and the propagandizing is gentle. The weaknesses of the material and the writing are typical of novels written with such an agenda. Wil does not abandon his atheism at the end of the story, but it's suggested subtly that he's thinking about it. The Christian message is all too clear. The good Christian characters in the book deliver loving homilies throughout, designed, in my opinion, to teach the reader rather than to drive the story. In fact, the whole book is a sermon, including the early chapters describing Wil's abusive, hypocritical father who hid behind his religion and was the cause of Wil's atheism. I did not detect in advance that this book was self-published or published perhaps by a Christian press, or I would not have bought it. However, it appears to be, which explains the amateurish writing. Christian readers, in particular young Christians, will probably enjoy Gil's Bones, but those looking for something more intellectually challenging should pass.

Rating:
Summary: A Simple Review
Review: I would like to applaud Kevin Bowen on what is a thought proviking novel. With the simple question of "What if???", he takes you through a series of twists and turns until the very end. It is easy to understand that is written as a witnessing tool, a way to share Christ with those beyond the church doors. What a powerful notion, and by reading the various reviews on this sight, I see that it is fulfilling its purpose. Those who might not be able to open their eyes to the possiblity that there is a God have been the harshist critics of both the author and this work. I personally can't wait to read his follow up novels, hopefully in the works right now! I am proud to print my name on this review, Kevin.

Rating:
Summary: An exciting thriller
Review: Internationally renowned archeologist Wil Wilson waited a lifetime for this post at the Institute for Palestinian Research in Israel. Will knows this job gives him the opportunity to find evidence that will play havoc with his "Dad's Religion" Christianity. While growing up in Washington State, Wil's abusive, bible-quoting father used religion to condone his nasty behavior. Even today, his mother, who in Wil's mind did nothing but rationalize her husband's behavior at the expense of her son's well being. She knows how obsessively angry her son remains.

With the American Secretary of State coming to the region to promote peace, Wil is tapped to help search for explosives at famous sites. Instead of bombs, Wil makes a discovery that will shake more than just Christianity out of its complacency. Everyone wants the find reburied except Wil who defies the establishment to tell the world the truth.

WIL'S BONES is an exciting thriller that never eases up until the plot is finished. Wil is an intriguing character who is heroic in an epic way even as the powerful combines forces try to discredit and ultimately kill him. His beloved provides him hope that he can survive the ordeal as he struggles to inform the world the truth. Although the characters are never fully developed or understood except to a degree Wil, Kevin Bowen packs plenty of non-stop action in his fast-paced plot.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: Kevin Bowen brings an interesting mix to his writing: a Master of Divinity; a Master in Health Care Management; and a Bachelor of History. He has lived in disparate parts of the world, and has experience both in the corporate world and academia.

Wil's Bones is the story of a complicated man with a sad personal history who makes it his life's quest to find the bones of Jesus and disprove theories of Christianity. Dr. Wil Wilson's father was a hypocritical sadist who used religion as a shield to batter his wife and children and lead an alcoholic life. Wil resolves to destroy the religion that produced such a painful cycle for him and his mother. He becomes a renowned archaeologist living in Israel.

When the Israeli and U.S. government hire Wil to search for explosives in the two most logical places that Jesus would have been buried after being taken down from the cross, Wil is ecstatic. But when he uncovers a hidden room with bones and a tablet that translates "King of the Jews," his rebellious announcement to the public causes chaos in the Christian world and puts his life in danger. With a presidential election close at hand, Wil's next discovery is even more terrifying:

"It was obvious. Ninety-two names times 100 grand equaled $9.2 million. They were funding the President's re-election campaign from Wil's project. Wil's mind was flying. He remembered Brock's peculiar look of concerned shock the previous day, when he made reference to the congressman and the large amounts of money they were spending on the project. Did they think he knew?"

Wil's Bones is a classic adventure story. The good guy is cast as a bad guy, while the bad guys are up to their tricks. It is up to the good guy to expose the plot, clear up his good name, and...oh yes...get the girl in the end. And, there is a wonderful cat story stuck in the middle.

Wil's Bones is the type of book that is almost impossible to put down once the reader gets past the first page. What could be more engrossing than the discovery of the bones of Jesus? And what is more logical than to tie such a discovery into the rise and fall of politicians, churches, and governments? The plot is fantastic; the characters are engaging, and the love story between Wil and Hope is tender and innocent. A great read.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: I'm ready for the sequel!!
Review: The book is thought-provoking to say the least and better than a month of sermons from the pulpit. The plot was exciting and unpredictable. There came a point when I couldn't read fast enough...I just had to find out what was going to happen. The author's intertwining of religion and politics is very realistic and believable. I'm a Grisham fan and this author's writing flows much like Grisham's. An easy, entertaining read!

Rating:
Summary: Great premise, but extremely oversimplified plot
Review: The initial premise is a fascinating one. But in the interest of maintaining a quick pace, Bowen rushes through the plot, making everything happen at an unrealistic pace. There's no way that followers of the Christian faith would so easily accept Wil's findings; there would be WAY more push-back. And his science seemed simplistic; he did little to investigate his unusual findings, beyond carbon dating. The idea that the rest of the tomb would not have been explored is hard to buy.

So I was disappointed. The first third was great, but then he had all the pieces fall into place too quickly, even stooping to employ the same tactic for illicitly entering the tomb TWICE, distracting guards with a pretty girl.

Overall, I wish he'd taken more time to flesh out such an interesting concept. I agree with several viewers that although the protagonist was (and remained) an atheist, the book got subliminally preachy at times.

I'd read more by this author, but I hope he digs deeper next time.

An interesting aside - I listened to the audio version of this book, which is read by the author. He has a tremendous voice, sounding like a professional actor - very impressive!

Rating:
Summary: good in some ways bad in others
Review: The most laughably written, most preposterous story line and the most contrived book I have ever read. No thinking person, let alone someone who can read, should be caught dead with this pathetic tale. Although I read it about 2 years ago, I still cringe at the memory of it. Just awful.