Review of Killing Abel
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Panashe Gonese
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- Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
Review of Killing Abel
[Following is a volunteer review of "Killing Abel" by Michael Tieman.]
Most know of the age old story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; of their encounter with the ultimate sinner and greatest deceiver in Christian history, and the chaos and debauchery that resulted from that one choice, that one moment of weakness. Well, hear we have another rendition of this story, a rendition of the events that could've possibly occurred between the margins of biblical text. In this story we still read of Adam and Eve's trials in the garden and out of it, but we also learn of the struggles they could have faced as, basically, days old man-babies suddenly finding themselves cast out of the only home they'd ever known, and, seemingly, cut off from their father. We go through the events of early Genesis, but this time from the perspective of man, not the removed, almost analytical view typical of most religious text. We read of Cain and Abel, the first sons of man, and also of Eva, the first daughter of man, and her many sisters. We read of Cain and his betrayal, his exile, his new family (the primogenitor of the later Cainite bloodline), his struggles with his mark he is so famous for, all the way to a satisfying culmination in the form of Noah's flood.
Killing Abel is a very engaging take on the many things left unsaid in the Biblical texts, masterfully written by M. Tieman (a phenomenal author if I may add). Tieman managed to do something that I never thought possible, to inoculate his imagination with biblical text without making it one blathering mess of blasphemy. I suppose it helps that Tieman is a Christian, and he seems to have written Killing Abel as a dedication to the Lord, not a challenge to, or contradiction of what's already known. The story spans almost two millenniums but is incredibly packaged, with focus given to the important events that are conducive to the stories progression, and the message/lesson Tieman wants to convey through Killing Abel. Though written as a novel, and a fantasy one at that, Killing Abel worked, for me, more like a self-help self-improvement book, that left me with many epiphanies and insight into why I do what I do.
As aforementioned, Killing Abel was masterfully written and, though there was no mention of one, I believe it was professionally edited, and exceptionally so at that. This only made the flowing exchanges between the Godhead, and the many interactions of various legendary figures that much more enjoyable. I loved that Tieman chose to include the events of the city of Enoch, the first city of man, in his rendition and what led to its creation in the first place. I don't remember the bible mentioning much about specific events that transpired in the city, only a few mentions of how evil and corrupt it had become. Tieman chose to expand on those verses and dove deep into the cesspool that is Cain's creation, his descriptive writing brought the city to life and his character building with the city's kings and important characters only added more depth to its realism. I liked his interpretations of some of the recorded events, like, how he derived God's clothing of Adam and the choice of guardians for the garden, as an exmple of sacrifice, which is later adopted into most Biblical sacrifices. While it might be a somewhat controversial take, I enjoyed the way Tieman portrayed the Godhead not as these all-knowing omnipotent beings that do whatever they so desire, but as a learning father figure and his peers (comrades?) who suffer (emotional) pain as we do, and feel joy as we do. I found no problems at all with this book, and I loved every second of reading it.
All in the all M. Tieman's Killing Abel is an excellent book, one I couldn't put down until my body started complaining. As such I rate it 4 out of 4 stars, my first ever rating of such magnitude. Tieman not only made an incredible piece of literature but he made a book that is a testament to the glory of God, if you're a believer. Even if not, it is still an insightful look into the human psyche, basically what makes us tick. I think christians would enjoy the book more than anyone else but it can also be treated as a self-help book, for those of you who like that stuff. It can even be a father's guide to parenting. All I'm trying to say is, this book is a gem and I truly enjoyed reading it. So from the bottom of my heart I say thank you Tieman, and I hope to encounter more of your works.
******
Killing Abel
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Most know of the age old story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; of their encounter with the ultimate sinner and greatest deceiver in Christian history, and the chaos and debauchery that resulted from that one choice, that one moment of weakness. Well, hear we have another rendition of this story, a rendition of the events that could've possibly occurred between the margins of biblical text. In this story we still read of Adam and Eve's trials in the garden and out of it, but we also learn of the struggles they could have faced as, basically, days old man-babies suddenly finding themselves cast out of the only home they'd ever known, and, seemingly, cut off from their father. We go through the events of early Genesis, but this time from the perspective of man, not the removed, almost analytical view typical of most religious text. We read of Cain and Abel, the first sons of man, and also of Eva, the first daughter of man, and her many sisters. We read of Cain and his betrayal, his exile, his new family (the primogenitor of the later Cainite bloodline), his struggles with his mark he is so famous for, all the way to a satisfying culmination in the form of Noah's flood.
Killing Abel is a very engaging take on the many things left unsaid in the Biblical texts, masterfully written by M. Tieman (a phenomenal author if I may add). Tieman managed to do something that I never thought possible, to inoculate his imagination with biblical text without making it one blathering mess of blasphemy. I suppose it helps that Tieman is a Christian, and he seems to have written Killing Abel as a dedication to the Lord, not a challenge to, or contradiction of what's already known. The story spans almost two millenniums but is incredibly packaged, with focus given to the important events that are conducive to the stories progression, and the message/lesson Tieman wants to convey through Killing Abel. Though written as a novel, and a fantasy one at that, Killing Abel worked, for me, more like a self-help self-improvement book, that left me with many epiphanies and insight into why I do what I do.
As aforementioned, Killing Abel was masterfully written and, though there was no mention of one, I believe it was professionally edited, and exceptionally so at that. This only made the flowing exchanges between the Godhead, and the many interactions of various legendary figures that much more enjoyable. I loved that Tieman chose to include the events of the city of Enoch, the first city of man, in his rendition and what led to its creation in the first place. I don't remember the bible mentioning much about specific events that transpired in the city, only a few mentions of how evil and corrupt it had become. Tieman chose to expand on those verses and dove deep into the cesspool that is Cain's creation, his descriptive writing brought the city to life and his character building with the city's kings and important characters only added more depth to its realism. I liked his interpretations of some of the recorded events, like, how he derived God's clothing of Adam and the choice of guardians for the garden, as an exmple of sacrifice, which is later adopted into most Biblical sacrifices. While it might be a somewhat controversial take, I enjoyed the way Tieman portrayed the Godhead not as these all-knowing omnipotent beings that do whatever they so desire, but as a learning father figure and his peers (comrades?) who suffer (emotional) pain as we do, and feel joy as we do. I found no problems at all with this book, and I loved every second of reading it.
All in the all M. Tieman's Killing Abel is an excellent book, one I couldn't put down until my body started complaining. As such I rate it 4 out of 4 stars, my first ever rating of such magnitude. Tieman not only made an incredible piece of literature but he made a book that is a testament to the glory of God, if you're a believer. Even if not, it is still an insightful look into the human psyche, basically what makes us tick. I think christians would enjoy the book more than anyone else but it can also be treated as a self-help book, for those of you who like that stuff. It can even be a father's guide to parenting. All I'm trying to say is, this book is a gem and I truly enjoyed reading it. So from the bottom of my heart I say thank you Tieman, and I hope to encounter more of your works.
******
Killing Abel
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
