John H. Doe has had some unusual experiences: some fantastica, some unbelievable, some so far out there you wonder if his drug use and mental health weren’t the cause of them, no matter his assertions to the contrary. Fact or fiction, plausible or not, Doe uses his experiences to wax philosophical about the meaning of life, God, Christ, and how everything fits together.
Purported to be based on actual events spanning twenty-five years of the author’s life, John H. Doe’s THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JUDAS: A HANDBOOK ON LIFE is ultimately a thought-provoking look at the world at large, and it offers a means to question one’s own belief systems. The book’s intent on providing a philosophical examination of New Testament precepts, however, is largely overshadowed by an unintended consequence: the urge to examine one’s own prejudices attached to a number of other topics, specifically mental health, reason vs. faith, and the plausibility of the improbable. The (in)ability to suspend disbelief will play a significant role in how the subject matter is viewed, leaving in its wake uncertainty as to whether the unintended consequence will be beneficial or detrimental. That Doe firmly believes his account isn’t in question, and his examination of the events—which incorporates not only philosophers such as Descartes and Nietzsche, but also authors (Philip K. Dick plays a prominent role), references to well-known movies, Walt Disney, and Joan of Arc to name a few—is curiously exciting. What is in question, however, is whether preconceived notions can be set aside long enough to seriously consider what the author has to say, problematic for a book that requires thoughtful consideration.
Ostensibly a book about God, Christ, and the New Testament, THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS: A HANDBOOK ON LIFE is not the typical examination of such topics, and as such will be sure to provoke strong feelings regardless of where one’s beliefs lie.
Reviewed by K.J. Pierce for IndieReader