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I admit to reading this with more than a bit of trepidation. I loved A Million Little Pieces, even after it was shown to be largely fiction. After the two “memoirs,” I wasn’t impressed with Frey’s “first” novel. Add this to the fact The Final Testament of the Holy Bible is about the Messiah returning to modern New York City and you can see why I, like many others, was leery. Not only did I like it, it may well end up on my best of the year list.
 When we meet Frey’s central character, his name is Ben Jones, a 30-year-old drifter who lands a job working security for a construction company. Each chapter unveils more of Ben’s story from the perspective of a different narrator (although we hear from some more than once). They include Ben’s mother, sister, priests, rabbis, teen-aged prostitutes, drug addicts and homeless men. Frey gives each a unique voice that fits and captures the character. Ben narrates no part of his story but, like some Bibles, when a narrator relates his actual words, they appear in red (at least in the e-book I read).
No doubt the book isn’t for everyone. Some may think Frey aims to shock for the sake of shock, others may simply dislike or condemn the Ben character, his actions or even the “theology” he espouses. But although not entirely original in concept, The Final Testament raises fundamental questions about religion, how it affects our lives and how religious doctrines are interpreted. Moreover, while some of Ben’s experiences undoubtedly suggest otherworldliness, Frey provides a potentially rational explanation for his seemingly growing omniscience.
Not only is it interesting and thought-provoking, the way Frey tells the story does much to make this a book worth reading.
…sometimes all any of us needs in life is for someone to hold our hand and walk next to us.
James Frey, The Final Testament of the Holy Bible
Two years ago, I asked whether The Book Depository, the U.K.’s largest online bookstore, would complement Amazon or compete with it. The end result? Amazon is buying it.
The sale is going to be looked at by the U.K.;s Office of Fair Trading and has sparked fears the deal will “tighten the American company’s ‘stranglehold’ over the online book trade in the UK.” I was surprised to read that Amazon is estimated to account for 70% of UK internet book sales.
At the time it was launched, The Book Depository said it wasn’t taking on Amazon. That’s certainly clear now, although The Book Depository says the Amazon acquisition means the two “are aligned” and working “to increase our vast selection of great titles and provide even better customer experience.” Although Amazon’s UK site has a press release on the purchase, the US site does not, at least as of this post.
Although I was tempted a couple times, I never ordered anything from The Book Depository. Whatever form it takes in the future, this certainly shows Amazon is a worldwide empire.
What we want to be is something completely new. There is no physical analog for what Amazon.com is becoming.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon co-founder and CEO
Average lust this month, part of which I attribute in part to what I consider the doldrums of publishing — summer reads. Of course, I’ve been finding plenty to read without lusting. Most of this month’s list is a “fanboy” list.
God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales, Penn Jillette — I’ve always been a big Penn & Teller fan, both their magic and their debunking on their Showtime series. Penn’s take on religion has certainly got to be worth the price of admission.
The Knowledge of Good & Evil, Glenn Kleier — Kleier’s first novel, The Last Day, is a book I somehow stumbled across — and then was absolutely enthralled. I’ve been waiting for more from him ever since. After 14 years, my wait is over this month and the new book is supposedly the first in a trilogy.
Rule 34, Charles Stross — I’m a big fan of Stross’s science fiction, particularly the works dealing with the Singularity. While this isn’t in that category, it’s set in the same near future with the same lead character as 2008’s Halting State, which I enjoyed. As a result, it is one of only two books this month on my library reserve list.
Turn of Mind, Alice LaPlante — The buzz has been pretty big about this debut novel, a story of a retired orthopedic surgeon with dementia who is suspected of murder. I’m usually not much for mysteries but with a parent who suffered Alzheimer’s, books on the topic interest me, placing this on my library reserve list.
Report Card:
Year to Date (January-June 2011)
- Total Bibliolust books: 29
- Number read: 19 (65.5%)
- Started but did not finish: 3 (10%)
Cumulative (September 2008-June 2011)
- Total Bibliolust books: 179
- Number read: 135 (75%)
- Started but did not finish: 12 (6.7%)
I don’t think we should read for instruction but to give our souls a chance to luxuriate.
Henry Miller, Dear, Dear Brenda
Bulletin Board
Interesting Reading in the Interweb Tubes
Blog Headline of the Week
Bookish Linkage
Nonbookish Linkage
[Music] is my purpose and it flows through my soul and it always will, and nothing in this world, including death, can stop that.
Clarence Clemons, Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales
A Kansas City grocery store is being sued because one of its employees shoved his hand down her pants and grabbed her breast — and the nearby cashier said, “he has been doing that all day.”
Houston lawyer responds to middle school kids’ video dissing his daughter with cease-and-desist letters and lawsuit.
For future reference: Gay panic defense is not one but sleepwalking is.
An Amish man was arrested in Indiana after allegedly sending lewd photos to a 12-year-old girl — and then showing up at her house in a horse and buggy.
A Taiwanese blogger was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay around $7,000 in damages for saying a restaurant’s food was too salty.
The hazards of smoking “a strange strand of herb.”
Being a witch from another world does not create legal or even diplomatic immunity.
This case decides the heretofore undecided question of whether the act of defecating in one’s pants upon being informed of a pending criminal charge is a relevant fact for the jury.
Marles v. Texas (Tex. Ct. App. 1996)
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Disclaimer 
Additionally, some links on this blog go to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you. Contact me You can e-mail me at prairieprogressive at gmaildotcom.
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