A true, charismatic Christianity is set against a highly institutionalised church...the charm of this book lies in its seriousness about the story it tells, and about its being a story. -- Frank Kermode * * London Review of Books * *
Clever and thought-provoking. -- Sue Arnold * * The Guardian * *
Magnificent . . . Five hundred years ago Pullman would have been burnt at the stake as a heratic. Now his ideas merely set the debate alight. -- Nigel Nelson * * Church of England Newspaper * *
A very bold and deliberately outrageous fable rehearsing Pullman's familiar and passionate fury at corrupt religious systems of control . . . But also introducing something quite different, a voice of genuine spiritual authority. Because that is what Pullman's Jesus undoubtedly is. -- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury * * The Guardian * *
Pullman has a gift for creating scenes that make the reader want to put down the book and say wow . . . this is a book that remains in the mind days after the final page has been turned . . . The greatest story ever told has come alive anew. -- Adi Bloom * * The Times Educational Supplement * *
Yes, Pullman has reimagined the story of Jesus. But he has done it in an interestingly respectful and powerful way . . . Pullman injects great humanity and fallibility into the characters of Jesus and Christ. The tale has a strangely compelling blend of clarity and emotional honesty to it. -- Nadine O'Regan * * Sunday Business Post * *
Cool, stark, intelligent . . . a delight. * * Reform * *
This is a remarkable book . . . Pullman has certainly risen to the challenge put to him. * * Methodist Recorder * *
A small gem or, given its explosive story and exquisite artistry, a hand grenade made by Faberge. -- Brian Appleyard * * Sunday Times * *
Pullman has created a startling, entertaining spin-off tale of the life and death of Jesus that calls into consideration...the foundations of the Catholic Church * * The Prague Post * *
profoundly moving and never less than engrossing. * * Good Book Guide * *