Rating: Summary: Supernatural thriller that made me think about my faith Review: A compelling, cant-put-down book that hits you hard in the beginning and keeps you wondering until the end. Some of the twists in this book are some of the best I have ever read. And the research into scripture must have been totally exhausting for author Glenn Kleier. The scariest part for me, being a catholic, was the number of times I said "hmmmm...why is it that way in the Catholic church?". Excellent reading!!!
Rating: Summary: A most thought provoking book for the overly ritualistic Review: I found this book to be tremendously insightful. It should give pause to those of you so caught up in the rituals of your organized religion that you can no longer see the truth. Although written by a man (just as all the great religious texts have been) his viewpoint should send a loud and clear message to all. Remember G-d is more interested in who you are inside, not whose rules and rituals you follow. For a totally different type of book, yet one with a message that is well worth hearing, I suggest Richard Bach's "Illusions".
Rating: Summary: Excellent --- Very intriguing! Review: Kleier has created a facinating tale that tackles the greatest "what if" question of all --- What would happen if a Messiah arrived today? Skillfully intertwining the perspectives of individuals and organized religions, he deftly creates a very plausible scenario. This novel will certainly make you reconsider your own beliefs and understandings. I look forward to seeing the film interpretation of The Last Day, and to reading Kleier's next novel.
Rating: Summary: One of the best books I've ever read! Review: I listened to the cassette version on a trip today and nearly got into two wrecks I was so engrossed by Kleier's book! I haven't "read" anything so gripping and mind-spinning since Dan Simmons's Hyperion saga. Now I've got to buy the book and read the unabridged version!
Rating: Summary: Best read of the year Review: Glenn Kleier's The Last Day is easily the best book I've read this year. Thoughtful, prosaic, and insightful, Kleier spins his tale of millenium fever and second comings with the authoritative voice found only in a handful of first-time novelists over the past several years. I was literally up until dawn reading all 484 pages of this exciting and provocative book -- and my only regret was that the story didn't go on for another 500 pages. I found The Last Day to be thoroughly believable and without a single false note. The action is swift and at times almost unbearable in its suspense. Couple this with profound insights into human character, and you have not just your typical action-suspense thriller, but a very deep and moving examination of our society at the end of the 20th century. Kudos to Mr. Kleier for the strength of his convictions and the talent to bring them to life in Jeza.
Rating: Summary: A great read with non-stop twists and turns. Review: While attending the 1997 BEA show and I picked up a copy to take on vacation with me. Not expecting to concern myself with the book other than to pass the time away while lying on the beach, I opened to pages and found the unexpected...I couldn't put it down! Not only did I obsess over reading the book at every possible moments that I could spare, but I found my desire to read it more drawing than my visit to Disney World! I am not typically a reader of fiction. When your part of "the business" it is difficult (for me) to read a book without concentration too much on the mechanics of creating the book (expecially at a galley stage) than the story line itself. However, with THE LAST DAY all that went out the window. One point that really made this a truly enjoyable read was that it was not a predictable plot. Author Glenn Kleier did an excellent job of creating suspense and the twisting of events to make the reader wonder what was next! Already I have recommended this book to colleagues and friends, and highly recommend it to anyone who would like to leave the drudgery of day to day life and escape into the next Millenium.
Rating: Summary: American Library Association "Hot Fiction" BOOKLIST review Review: This book is so full of hot topics, readers might burn their fingers turning pages. It's the turn of the millennium, things are getting very hyper, and plenty of folk are flocking to the Holy Land just in case the world is going to end. Jon Feldman, a star reporter for WNN, a cable news outlet, is on the job, but he is not prepared for the story that begins on Christmas Day, when a powerful and beautiful young woman named "Jeza" steps out of the Negev Desert and proclaims herself the new messiah. Her gospel includes an admonishment to abolish all organized religions--a position that causes the considerable power of the Catholic Church to be turned against her, beginning a series of events that just may lead to Armageddon. Kleier, a first-time author, doesn't miss a beat in this story, capturing all the craziness of the last decade of the twentieth century, firing it with the latest scientific advancements (like cloning), and wrapping it all with the gauze of mysticism. Complex plotting seems smooth as silk here, and the idea of using a CNN-style reporter as the messiah's confidant is a perfect touch for today's media-crazy world. The question of whether the enigmatic Jeza is the daughter of God or the anti-Christ engages everyone from the pope to the president, and it will keep readers enthralled until the very end. Expect to hear a lot about a new subgenre called the "millennial thriller" in the next couple of years, but don't expect to find one any better than this. --Ilene Cooper
Rating: Summary: The best of the best Review: I was delighted to have this book recommended to me by a close friend. I've read a number of books in this genre, including the "Left Behind" disappointments (gave up after book four), and I've read Stephen King's The Stand, and of course, the Da Vinci Code -- all of which pale in comparison to The Last Day's fascinating, and totally unique take on the "second coming." While much in this book will shock (and perhaps anger) some conservative Christian readers, it is undeniably thought provoking and unlike any other novel you will read on the subject. Very fast paced, gripping and challenging, it wraps current events around biblical ones in ways that will startle and amaze. Unquestionably, I put this at the top of the Apocalyptic heap, and true gem of a suspense thriller with an ending that will take your breath away.
Rating: Summary: Cliche Review: If you're even remotely familiar with endtime novels, there is nothing at all that will surprise you here or make you think about religion in new way. I agree with the readers who recomend We All Fall Down instead. Mr. Caldwell does a much better job then Kleier with the subject matter
Rating: Summary: enjoyable, with some personal nits! Review: I was looking forward to reading the book. We surely do need a female messiah :) but I was hard-pressed to suspend disbelief at how overwhelmingly her messiahhood(?) was accepted, esp. after background information was revealed about her origins and in light of her sex.
Jehovah's Witnesses get a mention albeit an unflattering (and unaccurate) one. JW leadership are pretty closed-lipped about predicting things assertively these days and are not publicity seekers. ie the president of the governing body does not seek tv interviews and if he did, his 'pronouncement' would be rather tame and generic (and released through public relations).
Muslims get pretty positive treatment as accepting Jeza. Except, Muhammed (SAW) is traditionally considered the Seal of the Prophets- the last one- no more- no new revelations. Sure, she'd get a few followers, but the majority? At one point the author mentions they seem to accept her as begotten daughter (or prophetess at least). Yikes! Big time shirk (associating someone with God)there.
Towrds the end her detractors suggest she's the antichrist. Finally! I was surprised this didn't get thrown out a lot earlier in the storyline.
How long was the storyline anyway? The novel has her emulating the life of Jesus. So, was it 3 yrs? I didn't get a sense of three years of her presence in the novel. Nor did she really gather any disciples to really speak of, except the news guy through whom we experience the story.
|