“I, Saul,” Jerry Jenkins latest novel, surprised me. The
title invited me into the life of Paul. Instead I found myself wrapped in the
modern day lives of Augustine Knox, his dysfunctional relationship with his
father and Sophia, the woman Augie loves.
Some readers may not find the inner family turmoil
fascinating, but Augie’s father captivated me. A visibly respected seminary
professor and scholar who never experienced the joy of Jesus—I wanted to know
why? Also, the why and how Augie’s mother continued to love a man who knew the
Bible so well and yet he never smiled for his son, or showed love to him.
From the beginning I liked “I, Saul.” The author’s
exceptional use of scene, color and even the fragrance brought reality to the
story in Texas and in Rome—but especially in the first century with Luke
visiting Paul in a dungeon.
Jenkins took me inside Paul’s cell. I could smell the small
putrid, dank space. I could feel the pain in his bones because of abuse and
sleeping on a rock bed—his clothes the only mattress.
When the physician Luke buys cucumbers, figs, bread and apples
for Paul, I could see the starved prisoner’s haste to eat. He tore into the
bread and then ate the apple—core, seeds, stem and all.
I know the biblical stories of Saul, but reading through the
eyes of the author gave me a new appreciation of Paul’s dedication to Christ above
all else—his contentment in Him, no matter where he lived on earth.
Through the help and expertise of noted pastor and biblical
scholar, Dr. James S. MacDonald, Jenkin’s builds believable biblical
characters, ancient dialogue and story.
Jenkins successfully wove more than one love story within
the bigger story, one of mystery and intrigue over the miraculous find of
Paul’s parchments written in the first century. Although the book intrigued me,
I found it a bit wordy. Still Augie’s anxiety after receiving a call from Roger
in Rome kept me reading.
I did giggle at the ending—just like many of his other
books, Jenkins closes with a a cliff hanger—one that invites you to read his
new book, “I, Paul” coming out in 2014.
Read more reviews of "I, Saul" on these blogs:
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Disclaimer: Note: I received this book as part of the I, Saul blog tour
from Fiction Addict . I
received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book
for review purposes.
