Review by DominicVenditti -- Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

[DominicVenditti]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Killing Abel" by Michael Tieman.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Inspiration and passion are very fickle things that often have rather unexpected consequences. Usually, these so-called consequences take the form of new artwork at which for others to marvel. Take, for instance, the statue of David or the Hagia Sophia, each religiously inspired and made as a means to impart religious fervor in a manner that honors the faith but also serves as impressive and monumental art. I believe the same can be said with regards to Michael Tieman’s Killing Abel, a novel where the same kind of artistic interpretation is applied to an extent to try and spread a religious message.

The story takes a personal spin on several stories from the Bible in several ways. Not only is a reasonable amount of artistic interpretation applied to these stories, but the characters who act in the story are often given new life in accordance with Tieman’s literary style. The result is rejuvenated stories that work on retelling the stories in a more personal manner, giving people a more relatable and understandable means of learning form these ancient stories.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Italian Renaissance when reading this book. Meaning that, like the era and location in World History, there was a significant merger and amplification with not only art and religion but also more humanistic ideas with regards to these two themes and their own motifs. Ultimately, this spawned new ideas that changed the world even today, which is a fitting analogy. This novel is meant to transform a part of somebody’s world; it intended to shed new light on something that may be lost and allow it to be enjoyed and passed down in new and intelligible forms. I believe somebody who can transformative measures in the world and individuals can really enjoy this book.

However, it should be noted that this novel does not try to rewrite these stories, only retell them. It’s not unreasonable then to presume that some may find it to be a futile measure to change a story in such a way that it has no real impact on the story itself. Of course, the journey is more important than the destination, so to speak with regards to literature, but how this book does so may appear as merely delaying the inevitable or making a simple tale redundant and superfluous to an unwanted extent. I believe those who have a more spearheaded and straightforward set of expectations with regards to what they read may be turned away from the style of this novel.

Innovation with regards to an artwork is not only useful but necessary however, as people change with art. This is readily apparent in this novel as its existence demonstrates rather well how times and demands have changed, especially form a spiritual sense. I believe a solid 4 out of 4 stars, or an 88 out of 100, is well warranted based on the quality and scope of this novel.

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Killing Abel
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[Ada Ling]

Looks you enjoyed this book - same here.

[Christabel18+]

It's a good book we have here. I read the book recently, and love how imaginative the writer was to have made up so many events off the bible story. Thanks for the review.