Out OF Egypt

After being on the library waiting list for two months I finally got a chance to read this book. I first heard of it from an interview the author gave after she moved to an upscale neighborhood a small distance from my humble abode, in which she stated that she was getting back to her Catholic roots and becoming reacquainted with her faith. Well, I guess for someone who made millions writing about vampires this could be a step in the right direction, but I was still skeptical, although intrigued by the subject matter.

First, I have to applaud Ms. Rice for the research she did on the life and times of the first century residents of the, so called, Holy Land. Throughout the story I felt as if I were truly visiting the land she describes, and that always helps carry a story. As for the historicity of the story itself, that is, the life of the Christ child, it is all pure speculation. My attitude was that I would read it as if the story were written about some other special child so that I wouldn't have preconceived ideas about how the story should go. Good choice!

The story begins in Egypt, in the Jewish quarter of the City Alexandria, on Carpenter Street. Here live the extended family of Joseph bar Jacob, his wife Mary, and the child Jesus. Growing up amongst cousins, uncles and aunts, Jesus ran and played with the other children but it was apparent that there was something special about him. Even the child could sense this as his parents and relatives would look knowingly at each other whenever the child said or did something out of the ordinary. Being one of the youngest, Jesus tried to pry out of the adults whatever knowledge he sensed they were holding from him, but to no avail.

After Joseph received instructions in a dream that old Herod was dead he, and all of his relatives, packed up to move back to Nazareth, Joseph's ancestral home. When people questioned him “Why not Bethlehem?” Joseph replied that people in that city “would remember too much”, hence his decision to move to the backwater town of Nazareth.

Along the way Jesus begins to discover that when he prays to the Father things come to pass. These prayers were simple, such as asking for snow where it rarely fell, but these events did not go un
noticed by the adults. It was clear that they knew who was responsible and who this child really was.

Also, on the way, the family visits Jerusalem for Passover, but are turned away when zealots attack the temple guards resulting in death and panic. This scene is also instructive to the reader who may not be familiar with the history of the Jewish temple and the political violence that surrounded it. I found this to be very interesting myself, even though I was already aware of the events. What it accomplished was to give me a different perspective through the story and characters surrounding it.

The rest of the book covers another year, another trip to the temple, and Jesus’ evolving understanding of his relationship with his Father God. As an inspirational work this book falls short, but as pure story telling it is enough to keep your interest, and even cause you to reflect on your own relationship to what you believe about faith. Whether or not Ms. Rice continues the story I have no idea, but if she goes no further I would understand.

This book has my seal of approval for entertainment value. It is an easy read, a little over a week for me, the plot is uncomplicated and the pacing quick. The characters are believable and the research puts flesh on the people and the times in a way that turns the abstraction of the biblical account of the Christ Child into a living breathing Lord.