| HOME | BESTSELLERS | NEW RELEASES | PRICE WATCH | FICTION | BIOGRAPHIES | E-BOOKS |
Pullman defends new book "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ"
30 March 2010
Could this novel be the most controversial book of the year?
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is the latest novel from award-winning children's author Philip Pullman. Drawing from the bible, but with a liberal dose of fairytale, The Good Man Jesus gives a whole new radical interpretation of the Gospels, which have shaped the foundation on Christianity over the last two thousand years. So, it's not surprising that he has offended believers, especially as we head towards Easter, the biggest event of the Christian calendar.
Speaking at the Oxford Literary Festival ahead of the novel's publication on Thursday, Pullman, who in the past said that he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief", acknowledged his book was provocative and likely to offend, but defended himself by saying "No one has to read this book – no one has to pick it up" and said it was his "right" to produce the book.
Pullman said he received furious letters from Christian groups accusing his books of blasphemy and he had to be escorted to the event by security guards. However, this isn't a first, as Pullman is no stranger to controversy. His previous books which painted God as a senile figure and the Catholic Church as a shady, corrupt establishment were greeted by religious protestors and his fantasy series His Dark Materials also received criticism from the Vatican.
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is due to be released on 1st April - pre-order now!
Compare prices on Philip Pullman's other books
Source: Oxford Mail
