Rating: 
Summary: A Thinkin' Novel With Messiahs, Devils and Jersey
Review: To attempt to describe the plot of this novel would take away from the first time readers experience, so I shall not do that. I will however say this, I enjoyed the characterization of Jesus and Satan respectively and all in all, I literally absorbed this book like a. . .sponge.
It took me two days to read this book, but only because I had to sleep. :)
I encourage anyone who enjoys religious satire, and novels that ask the reader to think to some how get a hold of a copy of this one, and give it a go.
It will be worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: the best satire has a bite that you can feel deep within you
Review: What I like about James Morrow is his audaciousness. He's willing to come up with an idea in the grand old SF tradition, i.e., BIG, and then run with it. Take "Daughter Earth," a story in which a planet is born to a nice northeast couple, or "City of Truth," a story about a city where no one ever lies. Or here in this novel, in which a new saviour is sent to the world, but it's a girl this time. From immaculate conception--she evolves from her jewish father's sperm donation--to being tested by the devil at an Atlantic City casino modeled after Dante's Hell, Morrow keeps throwing the wild concepts and ideas at you straight out of left field. And what ostensibly seems a fantasy--God's daughter and all--yet still has some of the trappings of SF and reality; she is born using an artificial womb, when she returns to earth New Jersey has become a totalitarian, evangelistic state that is a cross of Heinlein's Revolt in 2010 and King's The Running Man.While for some it was the ending here that they remember (I won't spoil it), for me the best part was when God's only begotten daughter meets God's only begotten son and explained what had happened on earth after his departure. "They eat me," he says, referring to the Eucharist. "Disgusting." Jill says that if you were of the total God-fearing type, then you would probably be offended by this book. She feels that an aethiest wouldn't like it much either, for as much as it "blasphemes," it comes out fairly spiritual. For those of us who can stand having religion poked at (like, at least Morrow wasn't targeted by the Pope for assassination following the printing of this book), it's a bunch of laughs among some interesting theological play.
Rating:
Summary: It wiil take a low sense of humor and guts for this book!
Review: You will love this religious (no holds barred) satire, or you will find this blasphemy of the highest degree. Regardless of the school in which you feel the most comfortable, this book is fascinating, imaginative, and magic. It was a World Fantasy Award Winner. If you are a religious wimp: skip it! Read some of that dry, gag me with a spoon theology, or that hunt for the historical biblical whatever, put you to sleep, religious stuff. How can I forget that "Left Behind", they are laughing all the way to the bank, will they ever end the series? Those guys are making millions. (Is any of it going to the poor and powerless?)
Don't hold your breath, kiddos. The early Christians thought they would see the End Time. Paul, can you say Thessalonians? Revelations famous 616 and 666 (Yep, there are two versions) there happen to be two different spellings of Nero; NRO and NRON. (Gimme that old time biblical numerology. Love that Magick and superstition.) They blew it! How can you possibly think this generation is elite and wiser? Give me a break! We ain't! I'm sorry to say, Martin Luther King gained the most recognition after he was killed. Read this book and learn something. (...) (...)
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