Review of Killing Abel
64 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Killing Abel" by Michael Tieman.]
The basis of a blissful and happy life is a strong foundation. It is important to respect one's roots in order to succeed in life. To move forward, one needs to look back, analyze one's foundation, and learn from history.
This is the recurrent theme in M. Tieman's Killing Abel. In his innovative novel, Tieman breathes life to the age-old biblical story of creation found in the Old Testament's Genesis.
Like any newly-minted father, God had pinned all his hopes in mankind when he created the very first humans in his own image. Adam and Eve, the progenitors of mankind, lived an ignorant yet happy life in the Garden of Eden. Being the ever-loving Father, the Eternal God blessed His children with the ability to choose. However, Adam and Eve chose the path of rebellion under the influence of Lucifer. This put a wrench in all of God's carefully laid plans for creation. Driven out of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had to navigate life from the beginning in the truest sense of the word. God never deserted His children. In fact, the Trinity made the best of everything. However, things took a drastic turn when the first-born of man killed the first-born of Faith. Abel's death at the hands of his brother, Cain, gave credence to the conflict between the tree of knowledge and the tree of life.
What will persist in the end? The tree of knowledge or the tree of life? How will the first murder on Earth shape the life of mankind for eons to come? How are Cain and Abel connected to Noah and his ark? Finally, what prompted the Eternal Father to wreak havoc in his own created world?
M. Tieman beautifully answers all these questions in his novel. His portrayal of the early days of mankind is so vivid that we feel that we are there with Adam and Eve as they learn to eke out a living. Everything Tieman writes makes sense. This is because he bases his story on both the Bible as well as science. His logical explanations for every event make the story realistic. The wonder Eve feels when she first sees her reflection and the astonishment experienced by Adam when he first understands that Eve would not blindly heed him are some of the most relatable moments of the book.
I would like to mention that I absolutely loved Tieman's ability to create complex characters. Adam, Eve, Eva, Cain, and Abel were all nuanced people. Abel's love for his brother, Cain, brings tears to one's eyes. Though hard to believe, it was apparent that Cain had a soft corner for his brother as well. In fact, Cain was doomed from his very birth. His name and the circumstances of his birth put him on a path filled with confusion and rebellion. His pull toward the tree of knowledge was inexplicable. This made me think of many people of today's times who have an eerily similar nature to Cain. Cain is a character who you can neither love nor hate. I thought that I would loathe him before I started reading the book. However, he perplexed me the most. Eva is another complicated character. Being the first-born child of humans, Eva was a quintessential victim of circumstances.
I like how the author explores the inherent need for justice and vengeance in a logical manner. The concept of mercy is well-explained as well.
Tieman masterfully depicts the travails of a father. He aptly portrays how children limit their own fathers. I found myself nodding when the author showed how a powerful father is even more limited by his children. Killing Abel would be a perfect book to read together with one's father. It would make a great gift for Father's Day. I also recommend this book to anyone who would like to read the biblical story of creation presented in the form of a novel.
This book is flawless. It is well-edited as well. I could only note a few minor subjective errors.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I am delighted to rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Killing Abel is a beautiful tale that depicts the sacrifices and tough decisions that a father has to make for the sake of his beloved children.
******
Killing Abel
View: on Bookshelves |
The basis of a blissful and happy life is a strong foundation. It is important to respect one's roots in order to succeed in life. To move forward, one needs to look back, analyze one's foundation, and learn from history.
This is the recurrent theme in M. Tieman's Killing Abel. In his innovative novel, Tieman breathes life to the age-old biblical story of creation found in the Old Testament's Genesis.
Like any newly-minted father, God had pinned all his hopes in mankind when he created the very first humans in his own image. Adam and Eve, the progenitors of mankind, lived an ignorant yet happy life in the Garden of Eden. Being the ever-loving Father, the Eternal God blessed His children with the ability to choose. However, Adam and Eve chose the path of rebellion under the influence of Lucifer. This put a wrench in all of God's carefully laid plans for creation. Driven out of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had to navigate life from the beginning in the truest sense of the word. God never deserted His children. In fact, the Trinity made the best of everything. However, things took a drastic turn when the first-born of man killed the first-born of Faith. Abel's death at the hands of his brother, Cain, gave credence to the conflict between the tree of knowledge and the tree of life.
What will persist in the end? The tree of knowledge or the tree of life? How will the first murder on Earth shape the life of mankind for eons to come? How are Cain and Abel connected to Noah and his ark? Finally, what prompted the Eternal Father to wreak havoc in his own created world?
M. Tieman beautifully answers all these questions in his novel. His portrayal of the early days of mankind is so vivid that we feel that we are there with Adam and Eve as they learn to eke out a living. Everything Tieman writes makes sense. This is because he bases his story on both the Bible as well as science. His logical explanations for every event make the story realistic. The wonder Eve feels when she first sees her reflection and the astonishment experienced by Adam when he first understands that Eve would not blindly heed him are some of the most relatable moments of the book.
I would like to mention that I absolutely loved Tieman's ability to create complex characters. Adam, Eve, Eva, Cain, and Abel were all nuanced people. Abel's love for his brother, Cain, brings tears to one's eyes. Though hard to believe, it was apparent that Cain had a soft corner for his brother as well. In fact, Cain was doomed from his very birth. His name and the circumstances of his birth put him on a path filled with confusion and rebellion. His pull toward the tree of knowledge was inexplicable. This made me think of many people of today's times who have an eerily similar nature to Cain. Cain is a character who you can neither love nor hate. I thought that I would loathe him before I started reading the book. However, he perplexed me the most. Eva is another complicated character. Being the first-born child of humans, Eva was a quintessential victim of circumstances.
I like how the author explores the inherent need for justice and vengeance in a logical manner. The concept of mercy is well-explained as well.
Tieman masterfully depicts the travails of a father. He aptly portrays how children limit their own fathers. I found myself nodding when the author showed how a powerful father is even more limited by his children. Killing Abel would be a perfect book to read together with one's father. It would make a great gift for Father's Day. I also recommend this book to anyone who would like to read the biblical story of creation presented in the form of a novel.
This book is flawless. It is well-edited as well. I could only note a few minor subjective errors.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I am delighted to rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Killing Abel is a beautiful tale that depicts the sacrifices and tough decisions that a father has to make for the sake of his beloved children.
******
Killing Abel
View: on Bookshelves |
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