September 2000 Volume 81 Number 9 "serving the protectors"

PAUL - A NOVEL Walter Wangerin

(Lion Paperback - $19.95)

Walter Wangerin’s The Book of God made headlines for its aim of novelizing the Bible. Now, the author has turned his attentions to the apostle Paul, whom he believes has been misrepresented.

Paul - A Novel is said to make important contributions to our understanding of the man who contributed more to the New Testament documents than any other authorial source.

The story is told of the life and actions of Paul of biblical times, as seen through the eyes of those with whom he travelled. Beautifully written and very descriptive, Paul - A Novel leads its readers through all of his travels, from Syria, through Macedonia and later Rome.

While not a true historical account, the human side of Paul is well represented. While he is depicted as being charming, obstinate, proud and charismatic, his human failures are also revealed.

The many encounters that Wangerin leads us through will surely be a lesson for us all. Written with great warmth and humour, Paul - A Novel can be simply classed as “a good read”.

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EVIL ANGELS - John Bryson

(Sceptre Paperback - $21.95)

It’s hard to imagine that the events surrounding the disappearance and death of Azaria Chamberlain first gripped the Australian public some 20 years ago. On August 17,1980, nine-week-old Azaria disappeared from her family’s campsite near Ayer’s Rock.

In one of the most remarkable trials in Australian history, both Lindy and Michael Chamberlain were eventually released from custody leaving many to question whether the claim that a dingo had taken their child was truth or fiction.

Now back in print, and including a new after-word by the author, Evil Angels can only be considered a very one-sided account of the events surrounding the entire incident and its investigation.

The book’s cover makes clear its message: “a masterly and thrilling account of justice miscarried”.

“No-one who reads Bryson’s scrupulous and disturbing book will ever again accept forensic evidence as gospel” and “Anybody reading it is left with a deep sense of unease about her (Lindy Chamberlain’s) sentence” are examples of the many quotes listed inside. They further clarify the author’s intentions.

Irrespective of anyone’s feelings or questions regarding guilt, Evil Angels has sold over 100,000 copies in Australia, and has been published in the UK and US. It has been translated into 10 languages and won three Australian and two British awards.

With such sales and accolades there must be some merit in the author’s words, even to those who might consider his work to be well written fiction.

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