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Review
`He can stir emotion quickly and simply... his essayistic digressions temper the mythic luminosity of his subject.' --TLS
`As gripping as a thriller and endlessly thought-provoking ... Surprising, spellbinding, witty and utterly original' --Sunday Herald
`The approach is unusual, the narrative bold and exhilarating...this book with its melding of fiction and non-fiction, critical analysis and detective work, consolidation and controversy, is a potent combination that breathes life not only into the `imaginative representations' of historical events but also into the possibilities of what we think a novel might be able to achieve.' --Just William's Luck
`So good it's almost off the scale for me. Brave, brilliant and utterly readable.' --The Bookbag
`I finished the book at a sitting. What makes it so gripping is Beard's limitless curiosity.' --James Russell Blog
`this clever and original book keeps the reader guessing until the death - and beyond' --Financial Times
`... ultimately it is the narrative voice - cultivated, wry, yet not too knowing to sustain a note of wonder - that makes this novel so compelling' --Sunday Times
`an idiosyncratic delight...Yet again, Beard shows himself to be one of our most inventive novelists.' --Mail on Sunday
`Lazarus is Dead is a delightful falsehood - a brilliant novel and a shining example of the gospel untruth.' --Guardian
`As gripping as a thriller and endlessly thought-provoking ... Surprising, spellbinding, witty and utterly original' --Sunday Herald
`The approach is unusual, the narrative bold and exhilarating...this book with its melding of fiction and non-fiction, critical analysis and detective work, consolidation and controversy, is a potent combination that breathes life not only into the `imaginative representations' of historical events but also into the possibilities of what we think a novel might be able to achieve.' --Just William's Luck
`So good it's almost off the scale for me. Brave, brilliant and utterly readable.' --The Bookbag
`I finished the book at a sitting. What makes it so gripping is Beard's limitless curiosity.' --James Russell Blog
`this clever and original book keeps the reader guessing until the death - and beyond' --Financial Times
`... ultimately it is the narrative voice - cultivated, wry, yet not too knowing to sustain a note of wonder - that makes this novel so compelling' --Sunday Times
`an idiosyncratic delight...Yet again, Beard shows himself to be one of our most inventive novelists.' --Mail on Sunday
`Lazarus is Dead is a delightful falsehood - a brilliant novel and a shining example of the gospel untruth.' --Guardian
Book Description
Meet Lazarus: hero of the best story ever told about second chances. A novel like no other about a life like no other.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Wow, this is one of those books that's rather hard to describe, let alone review. It comes from a leftfield view of the world, written in a way that makes you wonder if it's just you that doesn't' think along those lines.
Ostensibly, this is a work of theology telling the story of Lazarus. A passing knowledge of biblical history is probably a help in reading this, but as long as you've heard of Jesus you're probably ok. The author mixes biblical story, historical fact, art and imagination in a way that is completely convincing in telling the life of Lazarus, his early friendship growing up with Jesus, his decline, death and resurrection. As Lazarus is really barely mentioned in the bible (although important, his part is small) this is quite a feat to expand a few sentences into an entire lifetime.
This is a great book for imagining how things must have seemed to ordinary people at the time. After all, after Lazarus was raised it would be natural for people to wonder if perhaps actually is Lazarus the messiah? Jesus has yet to die and return, but Lazarus managed it. Or was Lazarus just a trial run for Jesus, so he could gauge how to maximise the impact and conviction of his own resurrection? How does Lazarus feel about all this? Confused? Annoyed? What about the Romans, who were wondering as much as anyone about what Jesus and Lazarus are up to?
This is a fascinating book, with a great insight and humour. Don't think this is one only for the religious, it's a really good read even for died in the wool atheists. Highly recommended.
Ostensibly, this is a work of theology telling the story of Lazarus. A passing knowledge of biblical history is probably a help in reading this, but as long as you've heard of Jesus you're probably ok. The author mixes biblical story, historical fact, art and imagination in a way that is completely convincing in telling the life of Lazarus, his early friendship growing up with Jesus, his decline, death and resurrection. As Lazarus is really barely mentioned in the bible (although important, his part is small) this is quite a feat to expand a few sentences into an entire lifetime.
This is a great book for imagining how things must have seemed to ordinary people at the time. After all, after Lazarus was raised it would be natural for people to wonder if perhaps actually is Lazarus the messiah? Jesus has yet to die and return, but Lazarus managed it. Or was Lazarus just a trial run for Jesus, so he could gauge how to maximise the impact and conviction of his own resurrection? How does Lazarus feel about all this? Confused? Annoyed? What about the Romans, who were wondering as much as anyone about what Jesus and Lazarus are up to?
This is a fascinating book, with a great insight and humour. Don't think this is one only for the religious, it's a really good read even for died in the wool atheists. Highly recommended.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
A wonderfully "new" type of novel that weaves history, myth, speculation, theology and story-telling together in a fascinating way. The research the author has done is offered up in the pages that make up a sort of commentary on the re-telling of the biblical story of Lazarus and his being raised from the dead. Whether or not you are a believer there is much to challenge lazy thinking in this new book by Richard Beard. For Christians I think it would make an interesting choice for a church book club. You do not need to agree with everything, or anything, that Beard writes but you do have to think about the issues he raises in this often over-looked biblical story. For non-Christians or non-believers Beard poses some very interesting philosophical and sociological points that are easily applicable to contemporary situations. Even the subtle political moves by Romans and Jewish priests should bring about a good discussion with friends and colleagues.
The nature of the actual book is refreshing. The reader is drawn into the familiar story with just enough changes and what-if scenarios to bring the story alive. And then there is the commentary and author's reflections on his own research in preparation for the book that makes you feel as though you are sitting in his study discussing the issues the biblical story has raised for him and which he wants to raise with you.
Richard Beard has been described as "one of the most ingenious, resourceful and entertaining novelists in England" and I would have to agree that that sums it up nicely.
The nature of the actual book is refreshing. The reader is drawn into the familiar story with just enough changes and what-if scenarios to bring the story alive. And then there is the commentary and author's reflections on his own research in preparation for the book that makes you feel as though you are sitting in his study discussing the issues the biblical story has raised for him and which he wants to raise with you.
Richard Beard has been described as "one of the most ingenious, resourceful and entertaining novelists in England" and I would have to agree that that sums it up nicely.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book is about Lazarus and what leads up to his raising from the dead and how he's been seen, and judged, by subsequent generations. It's about his childhood, his sisters and his relationship with both the temple priests and Jesus. Well it's not really, although he's the titular hero, the sub-text is writ large and in part it's really about Jesus and the authors very clever and well written, attempt to put some flesh on the bare bones of Jesus childhood and the rational for choosing to raise Lazarus and how that fits into Christian theology.
Sounds dry, it's far from it, Mr Beard mixes fact and fiction in a way I've not read since I last picked up a book by George Ebers. But, whereas Ebers tends to introduce `facts' to support his narrative in a heavy handed and sometimes discordant way, Mr Beard does it with considerably more skill I think and it flows with the narrative so one hardly notices where fictional conversations tail off and `fact' is introduced.
The books covers lots of ground, facts and theories but, it is in the end a work of historical fiction, it couldn't be otherwise as we have so very little information about Lazarus. Though I think that by the time you finish this very well written and very enjoyable book (it's the first book I've read for ages which I couldn't put down and read at one sitting) you'll think you know a lot more about him than most other people.
Sounds dry, it's far from it, Mr Beard mixes fact and fiction in a way I've not read since I last picked up a book by George Ebers. But, whereas Ebers tends to introduce `facts' to support his narrative in a heavy handed and sometimes discordant way, Mr Beard does it with considerably more skill I think and it flows with the narrative so one hardly notices where fictional conversations tail off and `fact' is introduced.
The books covers lots of ground, facts and theories but, it is in the end a work of historical fiction, it couldn't be otherwise as we have so very little information about Lazarus. Though I think that by the time you finish this very well written and very enjoyable book (it's the first book I've read for ages which I couldn't put down and read at one sitting) you'll think you know a lot more about him than most other people.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An unusual undertaking, well done
This is an interesting book, operating, almost simultaneously, on three levels. It recounts the story of Lazarus as told in the Gospel According to St John; it fills out that story... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lost John
"Someone else always has to go first"
Is Lazarus more than just a boyhood friend of Jesus? Given some of the similarities and differences in the course of their lives, and considering the complementary and conflicting... Read more
Published 2 months ago by BlackandWhite
Will get you thinking, and keep you thinking.
As a child, I went to church and Sunday School, so thought I was pretty knowlegeable about the Bible. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Esther Stephens
excellent and thought-provoking
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent and thought provoking book that sheds light in a fun way on the first person to return from the dead
Published 5 months ago by richardw
A matter of life and death (and life again)
At a gala performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, comedienne Victoria Wood was asked what she thought of the show. "It's very sad," she said, "he dies in the end you know. Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. J. Edwards
Interesting and Quirky
This book which tells the story of Lazarus of Bible fame is an interesting take on the Jesus story. I found it an entertaining read and well worth the time spent.
Published 6 months ago by Dr. W. E. Allen
CROSSES THE LINE OF FACT?
This is the story of Lazarus who just happens to be one of the oldest friends of Jesus Christ. A very interesting hook that piqued my interest right from reading the title. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. William Oxley
interesting idea
An extremely interesting book, looking at the life, death and resurrection of Lazarus from a very different perspective. Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. Kubicek
Didn't quite deliver
I was intrigued by the theme for the book : a partial biographical imagining of the biblical story of Lazarus who is raised from the dead and which is based on the account of this... Read more
Published 6 months ago by BusyReader
Intriguing book
I haven't actually read this book yet as it's for our January Book Group meeting. However a friend who doesn't go to the book group has borrowed it and said we're in for a treat. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Karen
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