The Fire Gospel

Theo Griepenkerl is a scholar of ancient languages, grudgingly resigned to a life of obscurity. Then, on an artefact-finding mission to Iraq, he ‘rescues’ some Aramaic scrolls from a bombed museum and smuggles them home to Canada. Translating furiously, Theo reveals the work of a scribe called Malchus: an early Christian and a contemporary of Christ himself.

A fifth gospel, then–and one that gives an all-too-frank eyewitness account of the Crucifixion. It could have incendiary implications for the faith of millions. But in the meantime Theo Griepenkerl has a publishing sensation to promote…

In this masterful combination of theological satire and book-world farce, the bestselling author of The Crimson Petal and the White allows his storytelling talent free rein. By turns comic, thought-provoking and shocking, The Fire Gospel is a celebration of human fallibility that will delight Faber fans old and new.

Praise for The Fire Gospel:

‘This highly entertaining recasting of a Christian myth is witty and intelligent…Highly recommended.’

Canberra Times

‘This is a man who would give Conrad a run at writing the perfect sentence.’

Guardian

‘Manages the difficult task of being a hugely entertaining narrative about our depthless human capacity for stupidity, hatred and greed…Faber is a beguiling entertainer.'

Geordie Williamson, Australian

‘An entertaining story, with a vein of playful symbolism running throughout…A provocative little volume with a strong element of knowing humour. Its most strikingly mischievous feature is that, while it appears at first to be a satire on religious extremism, at root it is a satire on the book business, the pliable nature of readers and the egotism of authors.’

Financial Times