A review by frustratedangel
God's Grace by Bernard Malamud
3.0
God struck the world through a second flood but mistakenly left out the paleologist Calvin Cohn. Cohn pleaded with God to give him another chance at life. God did not explicitly say He is sparing Cohn but indirectly let him live for a couple more years. Cohn ruled the next few years in the company of the chimpanzees. Buz, an intelligent chimapanzee, who was previously experimented with by a great scientist became like a son to him. Mary, another chimpanzee, became his wife and they gave birth to a chimp-human baby. Things go in awry when the chimpanzee community betrays Cohn, trapping him and killing off his baby. Mary, also goes back to being the chimpanzee she really is. As a concluding scene, Buz (his son), gives up Cohn as a burnt offering to God.
I can't really say I enjoyed this book, nor can I say I liked or loved it. It did, however, made me ponder on some points the author might have wanted to put across through this book if I did interpret it correctly.
1. Is God really perfect? (First part of the book where it was explicitly stated that God made a mistake, it would seem that the author is pushing the button. Blasphemy to even think about it but the author was really brave enough to put it as the foundation of his plot for his novel.)
2. Does God really know what He is doing? (Many times throughout the book there were instances where the protagonist continually questions what is God's purpose in making and letting things happen. A question which I'm sure a lot of people have asked throughout ones life. This may be strongly felt by those struggling with faith.)
3. God ultimately is the beginning and end of everything. (Despite Cohn making progress with the chimpanzees, he was still powerless on his own. Also, eventhough he was able to live his life long, he was still doomed to death. Only God has the authority over life. If not for Him, we are nothing.)
This review is a mess. This novel was trying to make a mess. I hope I don't become a mess.
Read Harder Challenge: Opposite Gender
I can't really say I enjoyed this book, nor can I say I liked or loved it. It did, however, made me ponder on some points the author might have wanted to put across through this book if I did interpret it correctly.
1. Is God really perfect? (First part of the book where it was explicitly stated that God made a mistake, it would seem that the author is pushing the button. Blasphemy to even think about it but the author was really brave enough to put it as the foundation of his plot for his novel.)
2. Does God really know what He is doing? (Many times throughout the book there were instances where the protagonist continually questions what is God's purpose in making and letting things happen. A question which I'm sure a lot of people have asked throughout ones life. This may be strongly felt by those struggling with faith.)
3. God ultimately is the beginning and end of everything. (Despite Cohn making progress with the chimpanzees, he was still powerless on his own. Also, eventhough he was able to live his life long, he was still doomed to death. Only God has the authority over life. If not for Him, we are nothing.)
This review is a mess. This novel was trying to make a mess. I hope I don't become a mess.
Read Harder Challenge: Opposite Gender