The Last Temptation of Christ

This book is well written and even translated is brillant. It is a difficult read. This is not for the light reader or someone's whose religious traditions make the reader predisposed to condemning the book and the author. The story is familiar but not exactly as remembered from Sunday School and the results aren't pleasant for the Christian. It's a serious piece and deserves read in that understanding. While I can't say I enjoyed the book in the classical sense. I did find it fascinating.

The Last Temption of Christ may be the greatest theological exploration of the 20th century. The topics it deals with are deep and complex, so to expect that this book is going to be an easy read is wishful thinking. That said, it is a very worthwhile read for anyone who struggles with issues of religion and the indentity of the divine.I should say that I am not a Christian, so the the central drama of the book, the apparent contradiction of Jesus being both totaly human and totaly divine is not as emotional to me as it is for others. That said, many Christians I know have described this book as central to their ability to embrace their faith. Why?Kazantzakis explore Jesus' humanity in a way to make us feel the character and understand his joys and sorrows. At the same time, he shows the terror that would acomplish being so completely in touch with the divine. Most important of all, he shows us the pain of Jesus decision to sacrifice himself on the cross and helps us understand it.Many people find this book very threatening. That is understandable. People who believe faith is blind are often troubled by those who dare to look too close. I have often thought that reading this gave me my best understanding of the passion with which my christian friends view Jesus. For that reason alone, this is a wonderful and worthwhile read.

The most common complaint people have of this book is that it moves too slowly. Maybe that can be blamed on the translation, but don't fault the translator - fault the English language, which is a barbaric piece of work compared to Greek. Anyone who has studied Biblical Greek or even modern Greek, or read a New Testament translation with commentaries on the original Greek, will understand that Greek is an amazingly complex and rich language compared to English. A single word in Greek can mean several different things in English - sometimes, that Greek word means something literally and something figuratively, and by using that word the author means both the literal and figurative! So if the translation seems dull or slow, it may be because the author is trying to translate passages that, in the original Greek, would be far more lively and rich with meaning. Also, Kazantzakis' descriptive narratives are not without significance. He carefully takes time to describe the world in which Jesus lives and acts because this is the world we are familiar with, and his description makes it temptingly, seductively beautiful, and he wants us to be lured into that seduction. In the midst of this walks Jesus, who is tempted at all times to give up his work and embrace that world so familiar to us, and yet must give up that common life in order to bring new life to this world. Kazantzakis wants us to clearly feel and understand the world that Jesus had to give up himself.Finally, one reviewer did not like how the author continually changes the way in which he refers to Jesus... "the youth," "the son of Mary," and finally "Jesus." There is a reason for this. Up until he uses "Jesus," Jesus is on a torturous journey to discover who he is and what his purpose is. He even has gone so far as to reject his calling, refusing to follow God's will for many chapters. Thus, he is not called "Jesus" because he has not yet taken on that role - Jesus, after all, means the savior of the world, and until he accepts that role Kazantzakis does not address him as such. It's just a name that others call him by, but it's not yet his identity. Prior to that point, he must be called "the son of Mary" or "the youth" because THOSE are his identities at that point in the early chapters. Kazantzakis refers to him by the role he takes on, not by something as crude as his given name.All this said, I agree with most of the posts here. An important work that challenges us to think about Christ's life and how it relates to our lives. A book to be kept in any good book collection (in hardback preferably, since it should be pulled out every few years and re-read). If you haven't read it and have any interest in challenging how you think, buy it now.Also, I agree that the movie does not plumb the rich depths of the novel, but if it attempted to do so it would have been ten hours long. I think that the most important thing Scorcese captured on film was the crucifiction. Never in any readings of the

This book is thought-provoking, vividly painted, and emotionally powerful. My religion teacher in 7th grade mentioned it one day in class as a suggestion for a book report, and mentioned the fuss about it, and so I had to read it.Maybe the fuss was because some people simply can't stand the humanization of religion. This book portrays Jesus as a man, which is in direct contrast to the currently accepted version of him, which is of a divinity who was only incidentally a man. Kazantzakis' choice of perspective is what makes this book such a worthy read. It's not only Jesus who is first and foremost mortal, but also his disciples, most notably Judas. Jesus' relationships with those around him are painted with such exceeding care that you can almost feel his torture, longing, and fear. My heart twists and soars alternately throughout this book.Taken simply as a work of fiction, this book is worth the time it takes to read it. The accuracy and vividness of the historical setting are amazing, as are the well-drawn characters. But one can also choose to look at it as something more, and if so, won't be disappointed. This is one of the most inspiring books I've ever read; I've always believed that bearing the responsibility of the Messiah (or of any other savior) must have been, in part, psychological torture. Kazanzakis understood that, but also understood the ecstasy of the burden. Look at Jesus, Judas, and the others, and be inspired, whatever your religious belief. At the heart of everything, they were merely human; but men who worked with their human frailties to bring about something that has profoundly impacted the rest of history after them.If you enjoyed this book, I would suggest that you also look at Taylor Caldwell's _Dialogues with the Devil_ and for a hilarious-but oddly meaningful-take on relgion, try _Good Omens_.

"The seed is love"! I was raised in a christian household where we didn't question the literal truth of the bible and Jesus was a white man who was not of this earth. When I grew up and became a man, I resented the teachings I was given and rebelled against the church (and became a die hard athiest) After reading this book I was overwhelmed with a sense a inspiration and awe that no minister could ever plant in my soul. I saw for the first time the passion of Christ through the eyes of Jesus the man. I still am very much against organized religion and all its hippocrites, but I now refer to myself as agnostic. For someone to write these beautiful words about such a loving and tolerant man, proves that there must be some sort of an oversoul (like Emerson's). This is a must read book for the open minded soul who has questions about their fundamentalist upbringing. It is not for those who are intolerant, close minded, and think they have all the answers. Jesus spoke of love and compassion, he didn't judge his fellow man like most all christians do today (gays, muslims, jews, different races, hindus, drug users, and anyone who doesn't agree with them), Jesus would have not tried to change them by condeming them. Jesus would have loved them - nothing more. Fanaticism breeds contempt, the more fanatical and judgemental you are the more people will stop listening to you! By the way, Jesus was more than likely not a white, european, english speaking man. He was a Jew who probably looked more of Eygptian descent. Open your mind and heart and read this book - Absolutely mind shattering and sure to be a tear jerker for the compassionate soul.

Maybe it's just me, but any time I get to think during the course of my reading, it is a satisfying treat. Perhaps that is why I love this book so much. It deals with a very controversial issue that really none of us have the answer to: the life of Jesus Christ. Because no one knows the actual story, we may decide for ourselves what we choose to believe. Kazantzakis contradicts the Bible in his portrayal of Jesus as a despised and often disturbed soul. Instead of Jesus living the life of a king, he is forced to suffer with pain inflicted by God, and evil spirits he encounters. The most controversial aspect, however, may not be Jesus' life, or his affair with Mary Magdalene. It lies within his betrayal and the forcing of Judas to betray him. This fact does not incriminate Judas "the betrayer" such as the Bible does, but it portrays Judas as a loyal friend to Jesus. Though many say that this novel is simple filth, there is a reason so many read it. They are interested on widening their horizons to different thoughts and aspects, and The Last Temptation of Christ is the perfect novel for it.