Reviews

The Gospel According to the New World by Maryse Condé

bernie_lombardi's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

_lia_reads_'s review against another edition

funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bookwormellie's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

abperez89's review against another edition

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

traceymlee's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

heyfarahey's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

ady_soundslike80's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I liked this book, but it felt a little... over-the-top and on-the-nose. I think that I need to read some of Conde's backlist!

2treads's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Condé still has her wit and dry sense of humour. Classed as a near reimagining of the story of Jesus, The Gospel According is wholly Caribbean. From the tone, world, people, and issues; island nations, overseas departments and territories are firmly rooted in this narrative.

I love that Condé knows when in her story to be blunt, when to use poetics, and when sparseness serves the best imagery. This story has it all.

Pascal is no saviour, he is merely a man with ideas and who wants to see a better life for everybody on his island, his life, and even the world. From his birth and into his adulthood, he is haunted by his origin, who his parents are, and what it means that he grew apart from them. Add to that the rumor of his godlike father and his expected path of following in those footsteps, the complicated familial and filial relationship also becomes an integral part of Pascal's life.

Behind this narrative lies a story of change, perception, love, life, and betrayal. Condé is merely transposing what was miraculous in the New Testament to our world and time. All the themes she explores here of race and identity, colonialism and its legacy are all simply told with her usual sarcastic and sharp voice.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Child death and Death of parent