REVIEW OF: The Soldier, The Terrorist & The Donkey King
SUB-TITLE: The Other Perspective - A First Century Novel
PUBLISHER: Essence Publishing, 2003 , 311 pages
CLASSIFICATION: Religious fiction
ISBN: 1-55306-708-8
AUTHOR: David Kitz
BY: Wilf Wight, Director,
Eastern Ontario District,
Canadian Bible Society
Maybe it is because I am left-handed, or maybe it demonstrates impatience, but when I first pick up any book, I invariably flip to the concluding pages. Call me a cheater if you will, but I am looking for a conclusion worthy of the time required to read the book! When I turned to the back of The Soldier, The Terrorist & The Donkey King, the concluding pages of this story accomplished what every well-written book should do. The author reached back into the plot for a brief review and then projected the reader toward the future. In this case, the plot obviously had elements of violence and suffering which were being transformed through forgiveness and healing. And the future held promise of hope and excitement.
My attention next is concentrated on the first couple of chapters. Has the author grasped my attention in the opening paragraphs? Was sufficient detail given to introduce the plot, while only hinting at more intrigue to follow? Were the characters being carefully introduced in a way that begged my investigation? Yes, the author passed the basic tests. He had been successful in reaching out to me and I wanted to read this book!
Our western world has had major exposure to the Christian Gospel and most readers know at least something of what has come to be known as Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. However, the Bible makes only passing reference to two of the main characters in the story, the Centurion (military officer) who carried out the crucifixion and Barabbas (the convicted murderer) released by the authorities. The author seizes upon this opportunity to give them personalities, develop their thoughts and articulate their opinions. This proved to be a clever and effective tool to experience the unfolding of the drama in a fresh perspective - the other perspective - as the subtitle states.
For readers who have the mistaken idea that the biblical account is far removed from reality, here is fiction that will help them discover truth. As the author effectively paints the picture of the process of first century justice, political influence and compromise become realities. We cringe as sentence is carried out by the most cruel and violent method. This is the most gripping account of the crucifixion that I have ever read! One could almost hear the hammer fall, feel the pain, sense the dishonor and share the guilt of that scene. After reading the description of the crucifixion of the first two victims, I hesitated, in fact halted. I was not sure if I wanted to tackle the third one - that of the Christ. And yet, despite the graphic description of this horrible experience, the author accomplished his goal without resorting to gross descriptions of the mangled human body.
We are confronted with the enigma of the Christ. He is the one who has demonstrated miraculous power to heal the lame and restore sight to the blind. He is the one who gently took children on his knee to teach them. Yet he set aside the exercise of his powers to submit to the terror of the Cross. The Terrorist was released - set free from prison and back into society - as the peoples' alternative choice. And the sentence was carried out under the orders of the Soldier. Through the eyes of these two characters we see another perspective, which does not usually come to the mind of the worshipper during Passion Week.
One device the author uses effectively is the introduction of each chapter with a day and time orientation. In this way the unfolding of the drama is situated on the calendar. Those who know the biblical account realize that Friday is coming but that is not the end of the story because Easter Sunday will be the revelation of the resurrected Christ.
As we approach the chapter dealing with Easter Sunday, the reader is rewarded with the hope and excitement of an amazing new day. The darkness of the crucifixion is not forgotten but rather dims in the light of the resurrection. The despair of death is replaced by the hope of new life. The willing submission of the Donkey King to the soldiers is now recast as the power of the One who can forgive and restore.
The concluding pages of the story bring us to a climax, so well crafted and tensioned that I dare not give it away.
The epilogue provides further details of the main characters of the plot, gleaned from historical research. The endnotes reference biblical and other texts, which document the main course of events. The author has done his homework. His account of these events is well researched and credible.
With the Easter Season approaching, this is a good book to display on your coffee table. With the crowds lining up at theatres to see The Passion of the Christ, this book will give context to the movie. It is a book you will want to read perhaps before, and after you see the film. You may want to lend it to a friend, but you will probably want it back.
The Soldier, the Terrorist & The Donkey King by David Kitz is available throughout Canada at Chapters bookstores, at most local Christian book retailers or directly from the author at www.davidkitz.ca
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