Book Report: The Messiah of Morris Avenue

The Messiah of Morris Avenue
By Tony Hendra

Book Description

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, Americas #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.

First paragraph (prologue):
Fort Oswald, Texas. An early summer storm roils the sky. Lightning crackles between fat thunderheads. They lurch over the flat plain, roly-poly gun-metal-gray giants, thousands of feet tall, occasionally spitting thin streams of dazzling light at the ground.

This is a book I bought mostly based on the cover. The description sounded pretty close to something I'd enjoy, but I could imagine it going either way. For a dollar, I decided to gamble.

The only other 'Christian' book I've read is 'Monster' by Frank Peretti, and I didn't even realize it was classified as such while I was reading it. This book, however, is very in-depth about the workings of religion and as I am not familiar with such, I was easily lost and skimming ahead. This story takes place in the future where Christianity has taken over the world to the most extreme; it's become a parody of itself as everything, from school systems to television award shows, have been reworked to accommodate this new breed of Christianity. Governing it all is Reverend Sabbath, who is enjoying his time in the limelight and the severe degree of importance he carries.

Having just watched the movie, 'Resurrecting the Champ', I likened the story to that film as nearly-outdated journalist Johnny Greco struggles to make regular postings to a sleazy Internet newspaper, let alone find any *real* story. He's frequently pursued regular stories of self-proclaimed messiahs and miracle workers, and, disappointed by all, has developed a distaste for them all. That is until a certain story catches his attention, a mysterious young man in the heart of the bronx, who appears long enough to preform an act of goodness and then vanishes again. He is without a name, seemingly only appearing to the people he saves, seemingly uninterested in fame and fortune--a fact that confuses and intrigues Johnny. So he sets out to find this 'Messiah of Morris Avenue', and find out what sort of corruption or evil plan is to come from him.

But the more time Johnny spends with Jay (whose real name is Jose Francisco and is of Guatemalan descent), the more Johnny finds himself believing in Jay's quiet, patient preachings. Chapter 11 stands out as one of the most moving parts: an intense but peaceful interview between Johnny and Jay taking place in a dingy motel room.

I asked him why he or his parents allowed evil to flourish.
"Evil is caused by selfishness, by people acting out of the belief that they and their needs are paramount. And just because our first and only commandment is love, the diametric opposite of selfishness, doesn't mean that we're going to save people from the consequences of their selfishness. If you force the vast majority of people to live in squalor so you can live in splendor, you'll bring on the Black Death. If you allow the rise of a homicidal maniac like Hitler because you see him as a way to beat down those who want equality and social justice, he'll start killing people. Don't blame God."
"What about AIDS? What have we done to deserve that?"
"AIDS has fundamental environmental causes that a team of scientists led by a young woman will soon isolate."
"Who's the young woman?"
"Can't tell you. You might track her down and in some way obstruct her. She's a second-year medical student in a sub-Sarharan country, and she'll soon win a graduate scholarship to a medical school in Italy."
"When will she cure AIDS?"
"You don't need to know."
"The public has a need to know."
"No, they don't. That's journalists masturbating. The public has no right or need to know the future."
"Will she become rich and famous?"
"No, she's truly a selfless person. But she'll be venerated as the savior of Africa--which will become the savior of the planet."
"Not the U.S.?"
"Dream on."


I really enjoyed Jay's character and his gentleness, what he stood for and how people interacted with him. This character is by far my favorite part of the book. Who knew the second coming of Jesus would appeal to me so much? To read the ending and the tragedy that unfolds was extremely painful, but a brutal illustration of the realities surrounding us today. While heartbreaking and morally wrong, it's impossible to miss the point Hendra was trying to make. And it is a message that resonates long after the book is closed.

While the set-up and exploration of a world gone Christianity-crazy was written with humor and detail, it pales in comparison to the compassion and depth of Jay's story. However without this eccentric background, the story wouldn't stand as strongly. In a universe where God has become so heavily commercialized, Jay's words of love and mercy ring honest and true--but most are too self-absorbed to hear, which is the biggest tragedy of all.

Four out of five stars for characterization, preaching without 'preaching', superb dialogue and crafting one of the most painful tragedies I've ever seen.