“St. Paul is one of the most controversial characters in history. Did he ruin the simple message of Jesus? Or was he the person mainly responsible for transforming that message into a universal faith? What was he really trying to do? Of all the many books I have read about this “Apostle to the Gentiles,” Parini’s was the most helpful by far. Its premise is that we cannot understand Paul’s thought without knowing something about his life and times. Parini gives us both of these in splendidly readable biographical form. He made Paul live for me.”
–Harvey Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity Emeritus, Harvard University
“Fantastic. . .Parini has produced a stellar novel that humanizes the Christian message and its messengers.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Parini enlivens a narrative familiar to many with fine scenes and writerly touches. . .An exceptional character study.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Sweeping in scope, yet as intimate as a breath–that is how Parini presents the story of the Apostle Paul. Few [stories] are written with the intense detail and keen insight that Parini provides. . .Parini is a poet, and the beauty of his language is everywhere. . .A deeply intimate portrait… earthy and transcendent.”
–Booklist
