Synopses & Reviews
From the bestselling author of Father Joe, a slyly comic, deeply spiritual novel that imagines the Second Coming--and an unlikely, lovably human new savior
Tony Hendra's Father Joe became a new classic of faith and spirituality--even for those not usually inclined. Now Hendra is back with a novel set in a very reverent future where church and state walk hand in hand. Fade-in as Johnny Greco--a fallen journalist who nurses a few grudges along with his cocktails--stumbles onto the story of a young man named Jay who's driving around New Jersey preaching radical notions (kindness, generosity) and tossing off miracles. How better, Johnny schemes, to stick it to the Reverend Sabbath, America's #1 Holy Warrior, than to write a headline-making story announcing Jay as the Second Coming? Then something strange happens. Died-in-the-wool skeptic Johnny actually finds his own life being transformed by the new messiah.
Alternately hilarious and genuinely moving, The Messiah of Morris Avenue brings to life a savior who reminds the world of what Jesus actually taught and wittily skewers all sorts of sanctimoniousness on both sides of the political spectrum. Writing with heart, a sharp eye, and a passionate frustration with those who feel they hold a monopoly on God, Tony Hendra has created a delightful entertainment that reminds us of the unfailing power of genuine faith.
Review
"Hendra's writing sparkles."--
The New York Times Book Review
"I was prepared for my usual serving of sharp Tony Hendra satire; I was not prepared for his sensitive and highly convincing exposition of the true teachings of Jesus Christ. I love this book."--George Carlin
Synopsis
In The Messiah of Morris Avenue, Tony Hendra--the acclaimed satirist and New York Times bestselling author of Father Joe--poses the question: would we recognize the messiah if he appeared today? And delivers, in the words of Frank McCourt, "just what the country needs now--a good dose of merriment in the face of crawthumping righteousness."
In the not so distant future, the tide of righteousness--in the form of executions, barking evangelists, tank-like SUVs, and a movie industry run entirely by the Christian right--has swept the nation. Aside from the non-white, the non-Christian, and the non-wealthy, all are believers.
Among the skeptics is a washed-up journalist named Johnny Greco, who hears of a media-shy young man known as "Jay" roaming through ghettos, healing the sick, and tossing off miracles. Soft-spoken and shabbily dressed, Jay is an unlikely savior for this anxious and intolerant America.
But as he makes his rounds, gathers followers, and makes furious enemies among the righteous powers that be, Johnny finds it harder and harder to doubt him.
Synopsis
The acclaimed satirist and bestselling author of
Father Joe poses the question, would we recognize the messiah if he appeared today? and delivers, in the words of Frank McCourt, "just what the country needs now--a good dose of merriment in the face of crawthumping righteousness."
In the not so distant future of Tony Hendra's novel, the tide of righteousness--in the form of executions, barking evangelists, tank-like SUVs, and a movie industry run entirely by the Christian right--has swept the nation. Aside from the non-white, the non-Christian, and the non-wealthy, all are believers. Among the skeptics is a washed-up journalist named Johnny Greco, who hears of a media-shy young man known as "Jay"roaming through ghettos, healing the sick, and tossing off miracles. Soft-spoken and shabbily dressed, Jay is an unlikely savior for this antsy and intolerant America. But as he makes his rounds, gathers followers, and makes furious enemies among the righteous powers that be, Johnny finds it harder and harder to doubt him.
About the Author
Tony Hendra was editor in chief of Spy, an original editor of National Lampoon, and played Ian Faith in This Is Spinal Tap. His first book, Father Joe, was a New York Times bestseller. He lives in New York.
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions
1. Critics have called the novel a satire of contemporary America. Which elements of the imaginary, future USA do you think are closest to their counterparts in the present? Which are most outlandish? Is there any trait or tendency that all the objects of satire in the novel share?
2. Look at the physical descriptions of the main characters in the story (for example, Maria (pg. 39), Reverend Sabbath (pg. 13) and Jay (pp. 46-47). How does the author translate the inner lives of these characters into their appearance? What can you tell from these physical descriptions about his representation of good and evil?
3. Why did the author choose Johnny Greco—a bitter, hard-drinking reporter with a record of compromising his beliefs—to tell this story? How does he use Johnnys particular experiences and perspective to tell the story of Jays life and ideas?
4. Look at the "Sayings of Jay" (pg. 74.) Is this an accurate representation of the teachings of Jesus as you understand them? Do you feel that these ideas are in circulation among religious (or non-religious) people in America today? How would a politician who went by this creed be received?
5. "Journalists like to pretend that tearing down and ruthlessly exposing is hard work," Johnny says (pg. 81), "but what makes time fly is that tearing down is fun. Its real easy. Whereas, whatever its opposite is, is fucking difficult." Do you think this is true? If so, how do you think it plays out in America today?
6. "Blessed are the doubters, for doubt is the path to truth." How do you think this idea of Jays is enacted in the novel? Are there characters in the story that do not experience doubt? What happens to them? In your experience, is doubt more of a handicap or a virtue?
7. Jay tells Johnny early on in the novel that "Words are a debased currency". What does he mean in the context of his mission, and how does this idea translate into his actions? What truer form of communication do you think Jay means to substitute for words? Do you think words still have the same power in our society that theyve always had?
8. When you were reading the novel, did your image of Jay incorporate elements of your own ideas about Jesus Christ? Or did you imagine him as entirely a character within the novel? How does this portrayal of the messiah square with your own image of him?
9. Do you think the book intends to satirize particular real-life figures? If so, who? Do you think the satire is justified? Is it effective?
10. Despite hearing accounts of miracles and being deeply affected by his own contact with Jay, Johnny never entirely comes around to believing in him as the messiah. Do you think most people are more willing than he is to believe in a higher power, or less so? If you had experienced what Johnny does, would believe in Jay?
11. Why do you think the author included Father Duffys remark (pg. 134) that Jay was just an average altar boy, "no worse than the rest"? What does this say about the kind of messiah the author has created, and about his vision of righteousness?
12. All things considered, do you think The Messiah of Morris Avenue is more of a satire or an inspirational story?