The Last Day

Rating:
Summary: A very controversial thriller
Review: The religious right is going to go ballistic over this book! If ever there was a novel that put self-righteousness squarely in its place, this is it. This story is told in a very bold, suspenseful and extraordinarily intelligent manner. It uses exceptionally well-researched scriptural and theological elements to catch the reader up in one of the most frightening topics imaginable--a direct confrontation between God and religions. In this novel, the lead character, a mysterious and charismatic young woman named "Jeza", presses some of today's most controversial topics on the world's highest spiritual authorities, including the pope himself. In the context of a world clutched with "End-Time" madness, she raises the novel to a fervor pitch. The suspense and action is non-stop and brilliant. This is one of those rare novels whose message is so damningly powerful and compelling, many people will consider it shocking and threatening. If you can't abide having your spiritual beliefs turned upside down, you will hate this novel with a passion--it's extremely effective in the case it makes. On the other hand, if you can open your mind, you may find this story as meaningful a spiritual experience as you've ever encountered.

Rating:
Summary: Too long, too shallow.
Review: Very clearly a vehicle for New Age beliefs. At nearly 600 pages, way too long. I ended up skipping through most of the book. The use of profanity is offensive. I could not identify with any of the main characters, who appeared contrived and far from genuinely human. Easy to read, but lacking any real substance. A much better story is That Hideous Strength by CS Lewis. It is much more meaningful and has far better characterisation.

Rating:
Summary: Millenial Dud
Review: Of all the millenial thrillers I've read so far, this is surely the worst. Very, very dull reading. The author seems to have a sense of self-importance that has given him the mistaken notion that his ideas would be pretty dog-gone interesting. Well, too much opininating wears me out. It appears that little research was done before the word processor was fired-up with this book. Nor was a creative writing class attended. Raw talent is great in a first novel if well done. This is just raw. Maybe payment was by the word because if it were half as long it might be easier to bear. When a writer tackles science fiction, philosophy, religion, the bible, Modern Israel, and the meaning of life, a little knowledge would be handy, not to mention the talent required to write intelligently about the subjects. In this swirling river of ideas, you can see the writer's beanie bobing on a swell. Life preservers for author and reader, please!

Rating:
Summary: Not Worth My Time
Review: Slogged through all 650 pages and was pretty disappointed. One thing I look for are strong characters and there isn't one in the book. The plot is dumb and there's nary a thrill. I found myself skipping over a lot of the anti-catholic stuff after it became repetitive. I'm not a religious guy but bigotry makes me uncomfortable. I've read these old ideas before. Too much of the dialog consists of speeches in which the writer states his weird personal beliefs and beats the dead horse that organized religion is bad. Jeza is the weakest part of the story unless you believe people would actually follow a "Buffy the Pope Slayer" clone with zero charisma and an endless bag of comical homilets. Whatever this book is trying so hard to be (thriller, satire, or incredibly, a serious novel) it's a flop. The writer ought to be aware that a diatribe isn't entertaining and a plot, characters, and dialog are important. Being pummled by this guys oddball ideas and personal gripes against religion is not a good time, just a waste of time. I'm giving this two stars for the accomplishment of actually getting this bomb published.

Rating:
Summary: Your Kidding...
Review: When some poor soul put this thing in the same league as Mann and Eco, I about choked. This novel is written so poorly, the characterizations so flat, and the plot so senseless, that it eludes adequate description. The authors mentioned actually address spirituality in meaningful terms. This incoherent mess throws new age mumbo jumbo like confetti. The criticism of the Church is certainly warranted but a bit of biblical knowledge would have strengthened the argument. Far be it from me to be "anti-Jeza" (lol) but the vapidity of that character was particulary painful, as were her cockamamy sermons. Even if one embraces the superficial philosophy and goony characters, the sheer length and awkwardness of this empty bombast is a killer. This dreck is the worst thing I've read in years and hopefully relegates its author to the obscurity he so richly deserves.

Rating:
Summary: Wild ride!
Review: This book is about as provocative as they come, packed with shocks and surprises. As exciting a book as I've ever read. A unique saga that keeps you on the edge of your chair and breathless until the last page. And it's message will stick in your mind long after the enigmatic ending.

Rating:
Summary: A highly creative, entertaining, and provactive thriller.
Review: Maybe it was my experience of Jerusalem. Maybe it was the awesome cross-currents, past and present I found in that deeply significant and turbulent land. Maybe Glenn Kleier is actually a brightly refreshing, talented story-teller representing a sea change in the next generation of thillers. Some will complain that The Last Day isn't a literary "belle lettres," but of the thrillers I have read, it is a page turner and one of the first and few to show significant innovation in theme, plot, and characterization (my sincere thanks to the author for NOT adding to the heap of alien intrusion, crazed pick-axe killers, CIA, Big Government Special Ops.,ad naseum conspiracy drivals still being passed off and published as thrillers.)

Rating:
Summary: A must read for everyone.
Review: What a book, what a book. I've never been moved enough to review a book, but this was a e-ride to the max. A fan of mystery thrillers, I expected a thrilling book but I also received a mirror to look at my life . Anyone who is curious about religion, international espionage with a love story thrown in, will love this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Best read of '99 so far
Review: This book came highly recommended to me by someone I respect very much, so I was expecting a special story, but nothing like this. The Last Day absorbed and entertained me like nothing I've read in long while. It makes you reconsider a lot of things you take for granted. This is NOT your typical beach read. Take lots of sun screen, because you'll get caught up in this one and time will fly. Most enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Important Book
Review: I have rated this book as a 5, for ideas, and not for writing. In my opinion, this is a very important book, and, I do not use that word loosely. My wish is that more people will read it, talk about it, and, listen with their heart to the messages. I guess I could use stronger words, such as, Wake Up, but, I don't want to shout. As a point of reference, the last books that I have read were: The Magic Mountain, T. Mann, all of Umberto Eco's works, The Trial, Kafka.... While we may go through our daily lives, and ignor what is going on around us, I know that there is an avenue toward a richer moment and existence, and, this book can point one in that direction. And, I believe that there will be many people who would feel very threatened after reading this. Most likely, it will be the same people who are portrayed in the book as anti-Jeza. I found this book to be brilliant.