On the Third Day

Mr. Read writes well, as per usual, and his plot device has the gravity to engage the reader to the end. Well conceived.

On The Third Day, by Pierce Paul Read, is a superb book, with a subtle plot and rich characterizations totally unlike his more recent production, Death of a Pope (also reviewed by me). The difference is so astounding that one wonders whether one of the two books was ghost written by either a superior writer in the former case or a grossly inferior sort in the latter case. Or whether Mr. Read, if he truly is the author of both works, has succumbed to a tragic form of early dementia. The Third Day features a riveting plot that involves the vastly differing personalities of a militant Zionist Israeli family and a quiet and contemplative English Catholic community caught up in a scandal of earthshaking proportions. This book was hard to put to down so fascinating is its content; while the Death of a Pope also was hard to put down but for vastly different reasons: namely that its banal plot and shallow characterizations demanded the depth of thought required by a newspaper comic strip or an American TV soap opera. And as hugely disappointing was the Pope book so impressive is the Third Day book. The ending comes as a giant surprise, and in all honesty I have not cried from reading many books, certainly not of the modern kind, but this marvellous book evoked genuine tears. A final thought: I wonder if this book were translated into Hebrew for distribution in Israel, it would do more to evangelize the Jewish population than all the efforts of churchmen throughout 2000 years of Christian history. That is how subtly powerful and tender it is. Bravo to Mr. Read for allowing the Holy Spirit to guide him so flawlessly in this literary venture! There are two very minor errors: on page 170 he writes that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Light, rather than the Life. And on page 250 he writes that Lot haggled with God for the people of Sodom, when it was in fact Abraham who haggled while Lot was the reluctant beneficiery of Abraham's salvation prayer. Shalom et Pace.

This book would make an excellent film ,except that it would disturb far too many catholics. It's a fascinating novel that test the depths of one's faith in christianity. I highly recommend this book for the faithfull and faithless alike.

Whilst excavating a tunnel under the Mosque in Jerusalem a sensational discovery is made. The remains of a crucified man are found. The group of Israeli archaeologist decides it is time to call in the Vatican. The Vatican is not certain it wants part in it, but decides it will be best to have two of their own attest to the discovery. A book that will be difficult to put down. Faith and religious believes are tested all the way through the book. The author's knowledge of Christian and particularly Catholic Theology is vastly demonstrated. Present day events intertwine through the book. Whether a religious person or an atheist, this book is certainly a most for all