REVIEW: The Resurrection of Jesus

Author: Yancey Williams

Publisher: YPress

ISBN: 978-0-9860316-9-4

Even though you might initially be fooled by its title or the absurd nature of its plot, The Resurrection of Jesus once again demonstrates Yancey Williams biting wit and originality

The quirky yarn was inspired by one of the most famous art thefts that transpired at Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in March of 1990 when thirteen famous paintings by Rembrandt, Degas and Vermeer were stolen and had never been recovered. I recently read that the Museum, the FBI, and the US Attorney's office are still seeking viable leads that could result in the safe return of the art and are offering ten million dollars for information leading directly to the recovery of all thirteen works in good condition. Perhaps, Williams had this in mind when he concocted his story.

The comic romp which also includes a religious theme features two unlikely partners in crime, a Mexican, Jésus Ángel Escobar and a Native America, Hiram Johnny Walker Quicksilver.

Jésus is a frightening hombre who has been involved in several murders. On the other hand, he has artistic talents but not the kind that would seem normal. He enjoys painting and drawing his murder victims. He also considers himself to be divine and expressly touched by a higher power. Besides, he believes he was confident that he only had begun to live out his full potential “as the man, el hombre...the convict, the baddido, el gángster, pistoler, narco, all in one and more...La Leyenda! Like Pablo, the legend himself. Or, so he liked to think.”

Hiram is a very proud warrior of the Blackfeet Nation, and he states that he is Hiram to his mother but Quick to others. His wealth consists of four cowboy hats, several pairs of cowboy boots, a pair of silver and gold spurs , one silver bracelet, three saddles, a breastplate made of carved and polished buffalo bone, his ancestor's headdress so full of eagle feathers it hangs on the back of his brown bowlegs. He is married to the sexy Esther from Las Vegas, New Mexico, who is a Pawnee.

To some readers, these two characters may be unlikable or even pathetic. Nonetheless, this makes little difference; we want to know what is going to happen to them anyway. Surprisingly, we find ourselves rooting for them from the moment they hitch up with their wacky idea that if successful will offer them good fortune beyond their wildest imaginations.

The plot takes time to build up with its flashbacks where many of the story's scenes are ridiculously contrived, and some of the dizzy antics of the characters verge on the cartoonish. Nonetheless, Williams relates his story with such animation, as well as mind grabbing chewable words and phrases, some even written in Spanish to compliment the portrayal of Jésus, that the reader is happy to ignore some of the novel's flaws, and is content to sit back and be entertained.

Incidentally, Williams must have been reading my mind as he replies on the back cover of the book, “Contrived you claim. Crafted, I reply, deservedly well done.” I would have to agree with his assessment, when we realize, after careful reading, that there is something clever always brewing just beneath the surface of the story.

FOLLOW HERE TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH YANCEY WILLIAMS