Saving Erasmus: A Novel

Andrew Benoit meets the Angel of Death exiting a washing machine. Well, with a beginning like that, I definitely had to journey through this delightful book about losing faith and personal redemption. Steven Cleaver writes with such wit and presents us such amazing characters such as Mrs. Davonport, owner of everything in Erasmus, a wacky bunch of mystics named after television stars. This book is kind of like CS Lewis meeting Carl Hiasson. I could not wait to see if Andrew Benoit, was able to save the town of Erasmus from death in a week or if his attempts failed. This wacky, wonderful story is a great summer read, with more than a hint of spiritual consideration for us all.

I recently spent a very enjoyable few days reading Steven Cleaver's book, "Saving Erasmus." I quickly grew interested in the lives of its characters. Their personalities are unpredictable, memorable,and satisfyingly complex. The book inspired me with its account of one person's unusual and powerful ministry.

Saving Erasmus arrives on time! How can you put down a book with this opening line? "I did not expect to meet the angel of death while he was extricating himself from a washing machine." And, it gets better from there. Author Steven Cleaver quickly establishes a very agreeable protagonist (Andrew Benoit) and clearly defines his dilemma: the angel advises Andrew, the town's new pastor fresh from seminary school, that he has one week to persuade the good citizens of Erasmus to abandon their errant ways, repent and get back to their faith. We meet the ruthless businesswoman, the affable cafe owner, a delightful group of mystics and countless others who carry this wacky and wonderful story quickly through to the critical day. But there's one more thing that makes this very funny book an instant classic: Steven Cleaver knows how to tell a story - and at the end, he hits his mark with perfect timing; simply and totally captivating. With his precise form (182 pages) and his quick wit, you can't help but fly through this book in one sitting, but you'll want to go back and read it again, too; for a new genre of literary faith fiction, Steven has set a great standard.

You know when a book starts out with the Angel of Death emerging from a washing machine it is going to blur the lines of reality. And you hope it will have a sense of humor while doing it or there is no way it will work. Steve Cleavers "Saving Erasmus" is a success on several fronts. It tells a charming tale of a man and a town that need each other for their salvation in ways they cannot begin to anticipate. It is also laugh out loud funny. Andrew Benoit is personally troubled but earnest in his commitment to save the town of Erasmus. The townspeople are appropriately quirky and the story operates at all times on several levels. It is a simple story that has tremendous symbolism and uses a variety of historical and cultural touchstones to add depth and nuance to the events in Erasmus. The only disappointment in Saving Erasmus was when I realised I had reached the end.

"Saving Erasmus" is a great novel that comes in a small package. It is very accessible and is an easy read despite layers of meanings and symbolism that are carefully woven into its pages. The cover-art illustration is drawn in a style which bears a vague resemblance to art-deco, only without art-deco angularity and gaudiness. It has a weight that feels just right in the hands, and being only 182 pages thick, the book doesn't take up a lot of space in either a small backpack or a large purse, perfect for readers on the go. Its size also makes it an unobtrusive bedfellow. Its eye-pleasing pastel colors match the tone of the warm and witty narrative, told from a first-person perspective by an affable protagonist who is a bit of a neurotic, reminiscent of Woody Allen, the character. But don't let mere appearances fool you -"Saving Erasmus" is far more profound than its deceptively playful cover or its quirky, witty narrative would have you assume at first glance. Steven Cleaver infuses each chapter with layers of meaning and significance, yet he does so without hampering casual readers from enjoying the story or its cast of colorful characters. The book allows its readers to discover its greatness at their own pace and on their own terms.