Theo's Odyssey

Rating:
Summary: A good introduction to religion
Review: As a teenager I was reluctant to read a book about the world religions. However, the colorful way in which the religions were presented, made the book more attractive and sparked an interest in religion that I otherwise wouldn't have discovered. I think that it was a good way to introduce religion as a subject to an uneducated person and served as a vehicle for further study.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I don't have a lot to say about this book, other than that I found it absolutely fascinating. It's touted as the spiritual Sophie's World and doesn't fail to deliver. I have an avid interest in learning about religion loved this informative and entertaining look from the perspective of a 14 year-old-boy and his Aunt.

Rating:
Summary: You'll pray for this book to end.
Review: I shudder every time I read someone comparing this ineptly written piece to the captivating "Sophie's World". Yes, the concept is similar, but that is the alpha and omega of this muddle about the world's religions. Clement's characters are completely inconsistent (sometimes you can't tell if supposedly 14-year-old Theo should be wearing a diaper or a condom), unbelievable and unlikeable. Her thumbnail sketches of Judaism and Catholicism are filled with errors, so it made me distrust any of her takes on other faiths as well. Her finale of bringing all the different religions' mouthpieces together at the end is more like a community theatre curtain call than a believable ending. Two stars for her laudable goal with this book, and zero for her childish and condescending writing.

Rating:
Summary: Not an history of religions
Review: I was first interested by the idea: a young, sick boy goes around the world to discover religions. Please don't read this book with the idea that it is an essay on the history of religions. I think it is first and foremost a novel about religions, with a lot of subjectivity. Bring your critical sense if you wish through Theo's Odyssey, but please don't forget that religion is for millions a source of inspiration and a personnal way to fulfill one's life, and that is an act of faith. I understood that by reading this book and I was amazed by the richnesss and the imagination of this kid, who is discovering the depth of human spirituality, and his own experience of a miracle. I need to mention that the author seems to be anxious to finish the book, and it is palpable by reading the two or three last chapters. It is not quite as enchanting as Sophie 's world, but I still ponder about it...Please pardon my english: it is not my first language.

Rating:
Summary: A Tour de Force on spirituallity
Review: This book is an excellent journey through the major religions of the world. Much in the same flavor of "Sophie's World" this book tells the story of a 14-year old boy -Theo, and how he searches the world looking for a cure for his unknown illness. The book has some really good ways of comparing religions, for example, that monotheist religions are bloodier than polytheist religions. You will find that just as fundamentalism is (or has been) present in all religions, there are some more liberal and progressive views in most religions. You will also realise how religions have shaped the people's idiosyncrasy in different parts of the world, and how newer religions are always characterize by syncretism (a mixture or superposition of diferent points of view into a coherent hybrid cosmovision). The only thing missing is a chapter on atheism. I think (and hope) this book would encourage high school educators to teach a course on the History of Religions.

I don't know which book I like the most, Sophie's World or Theo's Odyssey. But I do know they belong beside each other. I found Sophie's writing a little bit clever and funnier; but Theo's writting is lightier and easier to read, and you just want to keep reading it. One thing for sure, if you liked Sophie's World, you are going to enjoy Theo's Odyssey. Perhaps a third novel where Theo finds Sophie (or Hilde) and they as young adults decide to search the world for love and their various interpretations of it would make the perfect trilogy: Authors take note!!!!!