The Last Day

Rating:
Summary: All the Southern Baptists need to read this!
Review: I can see why some people hate this book. It is one of the most damning (also hilarious and frightening!) indictments of religious hypocrisy I've ever read. Intelligently written, devastatingly insightful, and very, very convincing. The research is spectacular. I've been to both Jerusalem and the Vatican, and the accounts given in the story are dead-on accurate, as are the biblical references, which are astonishing. After reading the book, I'm convinced that people who hate this novel will use any trick they can to try and dissuade anyone else from reading it. That's because they fear it will do for others exactly what it did for me--expose the hidden chicanery, arrogance, materialism and self-centeredness of many world religions and their bureaucracies. Proof of this novel's value is displayed right here on this site--over 300 reviewers have felt compelled to share their thoughts on THE LAST DAY! If that's not a record, it's close. No book commands this type of response unless it's hitting some very sensitive nerves! This one does, in a powerful, rivetting, suspenseful and very meaningful manner.

Rating:
Summary: Mindless
Review: I enjoy a well-written thriller with good characters, realistic dialog, and an intelligent plot: everything this mindless drivel is not. More an anti-religious rant than novel (with a particular hatred for the Roman Catholics), this book is 250 pages too long. I appreciate writing that challenges my thinking and values. Unfortunately, this author simply spews interminable amounts of venomous prejudice and insults the intelligence of thoughtful readers. One that I sincerely wish I had missed.

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: What an intelligent book. Inspires thought and dialogue about the role of organized religion in helping individuals reach a heightened sense of spirituality. After reading The Last Day, I understand why readers love it or hate it. Obviously there are those that disagree with this book's perspective--I'd invite them to share insight that's a little more substantive than "the book's poorly written". It's anything but and I recommend it highly if you're looking to be entertained, thrilled and challenged intellectually and spiritually.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning!
Review: Wow is this author is going to hear from the Religious Right! The novel lays out in very gripping, compelling fashion the hypocrisy and arrogance, self-righteousness and materialism that is rampant in many religious organizations today. Because it is so open and honest, and told with such power and conviction, you find it hard sometimes to believe it's fiction. Highly suspenseful and often terrifying, the story is surprisingly upbeat in the end, with some really astounding twists I never anticipated. No doubt, this will prove to be a controversial novel, but it's a controversy that is long overdue and badly in need of the exposure this worthy novel gives it. A terrific tale, well told!

Rating:
Summary: Outlandish!
Review: Holy Toledo was this totally unexpected! I heard THE LAST DAY was a good read, but I had no idea how good. This is a genuine classic on the order of a BRAVE NEW WORLDS or 1984, but with a far more uplifting and importan humanitarian/spiritual message. The payoff in the end is simply mind-blowing. Quite honestly, this novel left me shaking when I finished it--but not out of fear (although there are plenty of frightening scenes) but out of the sheer epiphany I derived from this very profound and moving story. Kleier delivers an engrossing suspense thriller of the highest magnitude, riddled with surprising elements, outrageous humor, wit, insight, sensitivity, intelligence, and terrific prose. Deftly combining history, politics, religion and cosmic questions few authors would ever have the courage to tackle, the story builds steadily to a rewarding payoff--a compelling revelation. I cannot say enough about THE LAST DAY, and encourage anyone with an open mind to brave it's daunting message. Be forwarned: if you're a fundamentalist Christian or have no sense of humor, this is NOT for you!

Rating:
Summary: ok I guess
Review: A stupid thriller that seems to have important things to say. OK if you've nothing to read but be prepared for terrible writing and a negative view of all religion from a pretty uninformed author.

Rating:
Summary: Hot novel!
Review: You need oven mitts to hold onto this one! It sizzles with controversial, provocative topics and blazes along with the most intriguing storyline I've read in years. I understand this is being made into a movie--can't wait; only hope the producer has the wisdom to stick to the plot and not tamper with this incredibly brilliant and complex story. A tuly outrageous piece of work. We want a sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Well, it is a good idea...
Review: In the hands of a master (i.e. James Morrow or Daniel Easterman) this novel could have been a devastating depiction of a millenial Second Coming. Unfortunately, poor writing and heavy, heavy handedness ruins a great concept and the story possibilities are turned into a cheap attack on organized religion. Perfect fodder for the movie of the week which is its destiny, a skilled screenwriter may give the concept all that this book lacks: Sensitivity, Intelligence, and Depth. Hopefully, the original author, his narrow mindedness, and the airhead characters he created (or cloned from many other thrillers) will not be part of the tv movie's creative process. Don't just wait for paperback, wait for tv on this one.

Rating:
Summary: God Awful
Review: A ridiculous thriller with a pretty offensive and bigoted "message." I like the idea of a female messiah, but did little Jeza need to be obnoxious, anti-Catholic, and biblically ignorant? Her homilies are as shallow as the novel's characters, her philosophy steeped in New Age correctness and as shakey as the quality of the author's writing. The endless diatribes against the Church get tiresome and her belated but unsurprising finale is a welcome relief. Rubbish.

Rating:
Summary: I Would Agree With Others Further Down This Page
Review: What a piece of garbage. Poorly written and hardly researched, the author knows nothing of Israel and less of the New Testament. Designed to be controversial, it wastes a wonderful idea by becoming silly New Age mumbo jumbo. A time waster for the spiritually deprived.