American Savior: A Novel of Divine Politics | Roland Merullo

American Savior: A Novel of Divine Politics | Roland Merullo | "Wars, greed, corruption, nastiness of all kinds--America does not have to settle for this...We can aim our sights higher."

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American Savior: A...

	American Savior: A Novel of Divine Politics Roland Merullo Algonquin Books, 2008 - 312 pages average customer review:based on 55 reviews view larger image
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only every now and then (about 2008 years or so)

do we receive a book that talks to the human spirit like an electric prod. are there only five stars in the sky? i laughed...and cried...forgot to go to work...forgot to eat...

"Wars, greed, corruption, nastiness of all kinds--America does not have to settle for this...We can aim our sights higher."

Russ Thomas, a young TV anchor in West Zenith, Massachusetts, is sent to report on the story of a young child who fell three stories, died, and then came back to life after being touched by a stranger. Though he does not believe what he hears, he writes a realistic-sounding human interest story, striking a chord with his viewers. When a nine-year-old girl on the "terminal floor" of a local hospital also dies and comes back to life, thanks to a Good Visitor, her parents are astounded. And when Russ himself eventually meets the Good Visitor, he is even more astounded. Introducing himself as Jesus, the Good Visitor asks Russ and his fiancée Zelda to quit their jobs immediately and help him run for President, a notion that convinces Russ that the man is truly insane.

Eventually, however, Russ, Zelda, and his whole family join the campaign, which quickly grows to include the parents of the children who have been saved and others who are attracted to his "platform"--the Beatitudes. They set up headquarters, rent a plane, and fly to Topeka, Kansas, where they compete against their female opponent for her Midwestern mainstream voters. "If I am elected," Jesus tells them, "you will have a nation based on kindness and goodness, not some mere slogan that includes those things...You will have a sane, sensible foreign policy...and you will live on a planet that is not being ravaged by our greed." Within a couple of weeks, he is leading in the national polls.

As Jesus and the campaign face a voracious national press, Merullo creates some of his funniest satire. Jim Wearer, George Bill, Bulf Spritzer, the sarcastic blonde bombshell Anne Cantor, and Roger Popopoffolous all play roles in the campaign's publicity, their political points of view and personal quirks on glorious display. And however much the satire may be on point, it is rendered gently, in keeping with his candidate's point of view. Sometimes almost slapstick, the novel shows how Jesus would campaign--showing people that he's "human," identifying with the young, and claiming that he "has more woman in me" than other candidates--a controversial remark. His ability to manipulate perceptions--and Merullo's ability to depict this gracefully--is epitomized in his selection of the perfect running mate.

Though the novel is light reading, it does delve into substantive issues, including Jesus's take on abortion, gun control, and our dependence on oil. Pure, selfless love, the candidate believes, can change the world by creating a fresh spirit of caring. Still, Jesus is well aware that he may eventually suffer a fate similar to the one he faced two thousand years ago, leading to a suspenseful conclusion. Good fun to read, this novel will delight a broad spectrum of readers, regardless of political affiliation. Mary Whipple

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Divine Wit and Wisdom

I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel by Roland Merullo but with each page I turned I found myself thoroughly entertained. Often hilarious, especially in today's political climate, I laughed out loud many, many times at Merullo's remarkable humor. I loved the twisted logic Merullo used to create his media characters and found the puzzle of discovering who's who absolutely amusing, Chapter 36 is filled with subtle punches at the American media and how it reports elections in this country. Almost no current media "starlet" is left untouched; the names are enough to leave a reader rolling with laughter!

I have to say I began this novel afraid I would be taken into a scathing slant at either what has become Christian in America, or faced with the mockery of Christ. I was pleasingly surprised to find Merullo's prose to be both funny and profound while at the same time very grounded in the Gospels. To a non-religious but highly spiritually person I felt refreshed reading this novel and imagining the possibilities of Christ returning to our cynical and materialistic world and how he might deal with us all. Here we find Christ still compassionate, vulnerable and charismatic as he forms his band of modern disciples from yet another motley crew of people who are so touched by the man and his message they drop their semi-successful lives to run Christ's campaign. During the crazy campaign of a soul nobody believes in we find the innocent Christ riding bulls, surfing a wave and playing touch football in the mud the night before his modern last supper. I have to say Merullo knows his stuff and with a contemporary spin manages to revive the often politically manufactured Gospel into a profound teaching again. Christ may or may not hold Merullo's perspective on the BIG issues of presidential campaigns today but at least we are faced with a fairness that is so often missing in today's society. Merullo's Christ sees through gray glasses issues are not black and white and discussion has come back into play with this highly likable, even lovable, character that Merullo created with terrific insight.

This is the perfect book to read during this political season whatever your slant; it is both right and left winged, like an angel. Laugh at the silliness of human seriousness and linger in the wisdom taught so long ago by a man called Christ, brought back to earth as an incredible character while we face America's most important election in decades. It just might bring that old campaign slogan of HOPE into a new perspective.

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Moody, Upbeat, Unpredictable, Provocative - Similar to The Real Jesus

Is he the Messiah or not? He won't tell you directly, then says or does something that leaves no doubt - but still won't own up to it directly. Sounds like the real thing. After a bit of silently grumbling (to myself) about "when is this thing going to take off," it finally turned into a page-turner, complete with good caricaturized impersonations of controversial radio and TV commentators from the real world.

I think you'll like this book. He'll get my vote for president!

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

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