Five Stars
NICE BOOK
Five Stars
Excellent book!
Think you've heard it all before?
It took me awhile to get around to reading Caretaker of a King because, frankly, I thought I had heard it all before. Many authors have attempted to reconstruct the historic events of the first-century Middle East, with varying degrees of success. I expected something similar here, but I was surprised, entertained, and challenged by this clever telling of a character who gets little press: the human father of Jesus, Joseph.
While historical fiction surrounding events of the Gospels often falls short of its goal, Norman Coggin brings fresh insights to the subject. I found the book entertaining and educational. While I disagreed with some of the author’s interpretations, these were minor technicalities. Coggin’s work is well-written, with deep and complex characters (a Roman soldier with a kind heart, a new look at the thief on the cross) and a plot that offers enough variety to keep one reading on. Coggin is playful with the timeline, too, giving us a non-linear approach to Joseph’s life and death.
The book has poignant, funny, and even profound moments. The text is sprinkled with golden nuggets, like this one found at the end of the chapter “Sweet Reunions”: “Their hearts came to rest in the belief that true worship, at its best, was love’s unrestrained response to the One who is love’s very source.” A few chapters later we find this gem, an observation about loss: “With the loss of the generation before us, it becomes more apparent to us that our own days have a number.”
Perhaps the author shines brightest in his observations of relationships, friendship, and marriage. This surprising book is highly recommended!
Finally! Joseph gets some attention!
I just finished the book. What a great read!!
Finally! Someone has taken the time to imagine the gospel story from Joseph’s perspective.
It is thoughtful, filled with scriptural dialogue and very well written!
It should be required reading for every Christian!
So many focus on Mary as the mother of Jesus, which is very important, but surprisingly little is actually written about her in scripture regarding her influence on Jesus, other than she and her other children attempting to take Jesus back home in the midst of His public ministry.
On the other hand, until this book, no one has given Joseph much consideration in helping raise and equip God’s Son, as well as the influence Jesus had on His earthly caretaker.
The book is filled with well developed, interesting characters that intersect Joseph, Mary and Jesus at multiple times during Jesus’ 30 plus years on earth.
Highlights for me are the visit of the Magi, the escape to Egypt, Joseph’s work as a carpenter, the return from Egypt, an encounter with a mother lion, Joseph’s love of Mary, and finally Joseph’s deep understanding of Jesus’ mission.
This book will make you cry, laugh, and say “wow! I never though of it that way!”
Thank you Mr. Coggin for an inspiring, insightful, expertly crafted work of historical fiction!
I was blessed to read it and look forward to your next book!
Great read!!
A truly wonderful book…I finished with tears and sure will never forget some of stories and characters Norm created. And not just the stories but the devotional and worship aspects so heartfelt and meaningful. I usually wouldn’t read more than one chapter at a sitting as I wanted to let it sink in.
The chapter on James one of my favorites…puts you at the foot of the cross with such a fresh take on the passion of Christ. Fictional in many ways but so helpful for the human mind to understand the eternal realities a bit more.
Favorite line…from Demetrius (thief on the cross)…”what kind of God would he be if required to fit a man’s understanding”
A real spiritual gift to all who read!
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