The Gnostic Mystery is an introductory course on Gnosticism wrapped in a very thin story. The book is quite short and only a small portion of it is devoted to the plot which revolves around a pair of ancient Gnostic scrolls found near the Dead Sea. The majority of the novella focuses on lectures on Gnosticism and early Christianity by one or more characters, usually in a softball Q&A format with another character. Still, I rated this book three stars because it provides a lot of basic information on the Gnostic/Literalist split of the early church in an easy to understand format. I wish that the author had written a nonfiction tome instead of doing his knowledge of the subject such a disservice by enclosing it in such a forgettable story. I feel numb. I can't drop bombs all over this book, nor can I shout from a mountaintop about it's praises. It's a steady morphine drip of a book. Occasionally you get a lil tingle in your backside of adventure, but to put the word 'Thriller' in the same context of this book... well, let's just be honest, the Bearnstein Bears book where Brother Bear is a race car driver thrilled me far more. The premise had promise (does alliteration get you all crazy excited like it does me? No?! Well, suck it Trebek, some of us have REALLY lived life) but in the end it was kind of bland. Davila could have gone places, but decided that the boring warmth and safety of milk and cookies under the covers at home rather than bungee jumping out of a plane in the Amazon with this one (does that metaphor rock everyones socks? No?! Strike two).It's that age old phrase you hated people pointing in your direction of "You have so much promise" and nothing made you want to rebel against the world more as a kid... but Mr. Davila, it's time you put your big boy panties on and put your money where your mouth is. Religion is always a delicate topic, but as Jesus Christ Superstar once said, "Go Big or go home." And I told him I'd gladly go home right after he turned my water into hooch. Still waiting homey...STILLLLL waiting. (Is that strike three? F it, I'm out.)
What do You think about The Gnostic Mystery (2009)?
Oh gosh, this was even worse than the DaVinci Code! I didn't think that was possible! Eeek!
—nick
An interesting read.Lots of food for thought.
—TONIO
