Damascus
A journey through faith, doubt, and early Christianity
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Atlantic Books
Published:5th Mar '20
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This powerful novel, Damascus, follows Saul's tumultuous journey from a skeptic to a key figure in the early Christian movement.
In the far reaches of the Roman Empire, a radical sect is beginning to take root. This sect, which will eventually be known as Christianity, faces both internal and external challenges as it seeks to establish its identity. The novel Damascus explores the journey of Saul, a man grappling with his own sense of self while navigating a world filled with turmoil and change. Alone and struggling with his sexuality, Saul initially earns a living by exposing the early Christians, but a pivotal moment on the road to Damascus alters the course of his life forever.
As Saul transforms into Paul, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the teachings of this new faith and its enigmatic leader. The crucifixion of this leader sends shockwaves through the community, leaving followers in a state of anticipation for his promised return. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of belief and the human condition, as Paul witnesses the splintering of factions and the increasingly violent competition to define the life of Christ. The tension between faith and doubt serves as a backdrop to his evolving understanding of spirituality.
Damascus is a powerful exploration of the themes of tyranny, revolution, and sacrifice. It challenges readers to confront their own beliefs and the nature of faith itself. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, the novel presents a timeless narrative that resonates with contemporary concerns, making it a significant work of imagination and transformation.
The novel Tsiolkas was born to write * Financial Times *
A visceral portrait of the life of St Paul -- Rob Doyle * Guardian *
A powerful testament to spiritual yearning and the human desire to transcend the physical world. * Sunday Times *
A narrative of shock and awe, fear and trembling, so large in ambition it will probably be the book for which he will be best remembered... Tsiolkas has made a career of taking sanctioned narratives and flipping them to reveal a dark human underbelly... At its best, which is miraculously often, the novel is conjugated not in the simple present but in what is knows as the "prophetic perfect". * The Weekend Australian *
There are too many highlights to count in this daring, shocking, speculative work of biblical fiction by one of Australia's highest-profile authors. Captivating... * The Herald Sun *
One of the most significant contemporary storytellers at work today * Colm Tóibín *
A vivid novel... an insightful and sympathetic portrait of a man assailed by doubts, envy and pride, and tormented by his own homosexuality. Both insider and outsider, Tsiolkas writes with enormous respect and admiration for Christianity's message of love and equality, while recognizing all the flaws that Christianity, like any religion, is subject to - intolerance, populism and fundamentalism, and grubby worldliness. * Selina O'Grady *
An enormously ambitious novel... Tsiolkas' message is ultimately one of hope and humanity... This is a brave, unflinching book. * The Listener *
Hyper real. I could taste the salt of Saul's sweat as I gasped and cried my way through the book... This latest release confirms his ability to identify and describe both the best and the worst of us humans, whether we wear sandals or sneakers. * The Age *
Startling... Moving and powerful... * ABC *
There aren't any cinematic sandal-and-toga moments here; these people are hyper real. I could taste the salt of Saul's sweat as I gasped and cried my way through the book. * Sunday Star Time *
A deeply researched, crafted fictional world created by one of Australia's greatest literary talents. * Sydney Morning Herald *
Tsiolkas takes on nothing less than the birth of Christianity - and does so with rigour and grit. This is as-it-happens history, deeply immersive, yet alive to hindsight irony. It's a brave book, and sincerely spiritual. * Sydney Morning Herald *
One of Australia's best writers... rough, gutsy and sometimes shocking book, but always a gripping read. * About Regional *
- Winner of Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction 2020
ISBN: 9781838950217
Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 30mm
Weight: 695g
432 pages
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