Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
849 global ratings
5 star
76%
4 star
11%
3 star
6%
2 star
3%
1 star
4%
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Reviews with images

Customer image
See all customer images
Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Pastor C
2.0 out of 5 stars A Good Novel But Rice Writes From a Roman Catholic Perspective and Draws From False Gospels
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
The most important thing to remember when reading this book is that it is a novel, a story made up by the author for entertainment and enjoyment purposes. There's no denying Rice's storytelling abilities. She draws you in and captivates you with the narrative. This book is hard to put down; one you start reading, you will want to finish.
So then if it's a good read that's hard to put down, then why 2 stars? Well, if I was rating the book as a novel only, then I would probably give it 4 or 5 stars; however, Rice states at the beginning of the book that the book is intended to be a "realistic fictional portrait of Our Lord in Time," but then she goes on to state that though the book is fiction, she committed herself to thorough research of Jesus, the Gospels, the NT, and 1 century greco-roman civilization. I appreciated her commitment to researching and investigating. She insists that her portrayal is based on her research into the Bible and history. However, those familiar with biblical scholarship in general and NT scholarship in particular quickly realize that Rice's writing is based more on the convictions of the Roman Catholic Church and pseudo-gospels than NT scholarship. For instance, in the beginning of the book, Rice has Jesus kill a boy and then bring him back to life as well as make clay birds become real birds, which of course come from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas which has been shown to be a fake gospel. This is a clear instance of her research not being as thorough as advertised. Furthermore, she holds that Joseph was married before Mary and had all of Jesus' brothers and sisters by the other woman and that Mary remained a virgin for the entirety of her life, which is an instance of her commitment to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church rather than basing her thoughts on the teachings of Scripture–which says nothing about Mary's perpetual virginity or Joseph being previously married.
Again, this really is a good novel and a joy to read for novel's sake, but readers–especially those who are Evangelical–must be cautiously aware of Rice's influence and be discerning when reading. It is a novel, not fact or history.
Read more
Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome insight
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book has impacted me in ways that no book has ever in the past. It gives me a more personal, intimate insight to Jesus that I have never had. I realize it is a fictional story, yet the insight I have obtained is nonetheless absolute.

Jesus is real to me. I do not struggle with a knowing that he lived and died on the cross, then was raised. Perhaps this belief grants me an enjoyment of the novel that others may not obtain.

I think and read about Christ in a new light now. I am not sure if this will continue, yet I believe I will never be the exact same as I was before reading this novel.

I urge readers to carefully read the Anne’s thoughts past the end of the novel. It highlights her path in coming to faith as well as the immense research she poured over.
Read more
lindaluane
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus as a child in his own words
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is the story of Jesus as his life might have been as a child growing up. It is told from the first person perspective of child Jesus. I believe many people forget that Jesus was Jewish and he lived the life that a Jewish person would have lived while growing up. Understanding his experiences and daily life as a Jewish person during those tumultuous times is what Anne Rice portrays in her book. I think many people even forget that Jesus would have to have been a child - they see him as a baby and grown man only - lol In this book we are faced with the realistic possibility of an uncertain, non-confident Jesus who is in limbo about what he is to do, who he is, and is uncertain about the world and his place in it. He is a child - a child who is learning
I believe that Anne Rice does a wonderful job of portraying this perspective. i am waiting for the sequel now
Read more
Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book so much!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is unlike any book I've ever read about Christ! Anne Rice's tale is both gripping, emotional and transformative!! You experience the life of a young Jesus in a very unique way and when she describes scenes that took place in the Bible, Anne's descriptive style makes you feel like you are right there experiencing the things that Christ saw and felt! I used this book to help my son better identify with and understand Christ - his life and the time in which he lived.
Read more
Standee
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've always liked reading Anne Rice novels. This is quite a turn from the previous subject matter that I'm used to from her. This is a marvelous story of Jesus as a child growing up not realizing his true nature. An almost impossible blending of fact and fiction, this book hits the mark. I really enjoyed this reverent and seemingly historically accurate account of the very early life of Jesus Christ. Through extensive research and a wonderful imagination, Anne Rice brings to life a story that, I at least, have never heard. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Read more
See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

Traffic
5.0 out of 5 stars A Vary Interesting Book Based On Jesus' Early Childhood.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
I wasn't sure what to expect of this book before I read it. I had read several of Anne Rice books before, my favourite being Memnoch the Devil, so this book a new experience for me.

I am a Christian and so was intrigued to read a book about the childhood of Jesus as there is virtually nothing out there on his childhood, other than a few scant verses in the Bible, and some Apocryphal writings.

I have to say, I was hooked by this book. Obviously the author draws on what little information there is in the Bible, but it's also obvious that she has read the so called "Apocryphal" material, such as Thomas' The Infancy Gospel of Jesus, in which there is a story of Jesus, being about 5-years-old, killing another similar aged boy for simply bumping into him. This made its way into Anne's book. It is evident too that, understandably, Anne had to use a bit of poetic licence here when writing this book. If she didn't, if she used what was only written down in the Bible and Apocryphal books, this book itself would probably be about 5 pages long. But Anne has written a remarkable story of Jesus' childhood covering the ages of about 5 to 7. It was so interesting to read and wonder how close it is to how Jesus actually acted, thought, played and reasoned with all that was happening around him during those years of his life. I found myself engrossed. I note there is a second book in this series ("The Road to Cana"); I will certainly be buying and reading this next. Good work, Anne. A remarkable book indeed.
Read more
Caroline Lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love this book! Not only does Rice get the historical details of Jewish daily life in the Graeco-Roman culture of the first century absolutely right but she writes in a breathtaking way about the emotional journey of a 7-year-old boy who discovers he has supernatural powers because he is the son of God. I can give no higher praise that to say I wish I had written this. It is a legacy Anne Rice can be proud of. Suitable for children as well as adults. Brava!
Read more
Robbo
5.0 out of 5 stars I have really enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
I have really enjoyed this book, its clear that the author has done a great deal of historical reasearch into the first century Jewish life. I learnt a lot. Even though it's a fictional account of what the author believes Jesus' life as a child might have been like, it still made me think and strengthened my personal connection with Christ. Thankyou Anne.
Read more
Pilko
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed it and I fully recommend it to everyone
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
It took me 3 days to read. It was enthralling; I really enjoyed it and I fully recommend it to everyone. It is an amazing story. I shall keep this book as part of my personal library and reread it from time to time. You learn a lot about Jesus as a child, his relatives, how brutal life was under the Romans and how young his mother Mary was.
Read more
T Curtis/ E Curtis
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read and Thought Provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
Great food for thought, although fictional gives insight into what the early history of our Lord might have been like.
Read more
See all reviews