From Publishers Weekly
The effect of the eponymous hero on a New York inner-city neighborhood is the subject of this latest in Girzone's (Never Alone) inspirational series. Gentle, mysterious Joshua is propositioned by a young runaway turned prostitute. When her pimp muscles in, Joshua brings him to his knees, promising the young woman he'll never bother her again. He also heals the next person they encounter, a wealthy woman troubled by depression; Girzone would have us believe that this affluent woman is the prostitute's loyal friend and regular picnic companion! Then Joshua meets the woman's generous husband, some confused black youths and their single mother and several others, all of whom he impresses with his kindliness and charity. Obviously Jesus come again, he heals, ministers, inspires and even casts out devils. Because the message of his ministry is uplifting, it is all the more unfortunate that the vehicle is so flawed. Girzone's prose is devoid of imagination or drama, the style is clumsy, the dialogue pathetically false and the plot predictable. The cardboard characters simply represent society's ills. Though the flaws are almost enough to bury the lesson, the message does shine through the pedestrian telling. Drawings not seen by PW. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The publisher, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.
Millions of Joshua fans have made each novel in this inspirational series a national best-seller -- and will have their highest expectations met by this eagerly awaited parable for today. There are times when the human race falls so deeply into despair that it seems only a visit from God can bring it back from the brink of utter devastation. Many people, when they look at the dangerous problems in today's society, can see that we live in just such a time. With his characteristic warmth and sincerity, Joshua makes his eagerly awaited return to answer this fear as he confronts the needs and injustices that face the residents of a nameless city. But this is a Joshua you've never seen before, one who overcomes such endemic urban problems as poverty, racism, and AIDS -- one who even confronts the terrifying realities of mental illness and satanism. In a community where these seem like insurmountable problems, Joshua sows the seeds of renewal with his words of love. He reaches out to every person with transforming openness and shows the possibilities for bringing about the regeneration of the city, even bringing about undreamed-of economic revitalization. But other problems remain for the inhabitants of this world of despair, which money cannot help. It is, most importantly, to these residents that Joshua addresses his message of acceptance. This inspirational series of novels about the return of Jesus in the present day now reaches important conclusions with its fourth installment. The message of Joshua has never so closely addressed such urgent matters, and, in the end, the reader is given hopeful answers that lead in the direction of peace and understanding.

ANNOTATION

The newest installment in this inspirational series of novels about the return of Jesus to the present day shows readers a Joshua they've never seen before, overcoming such endemic urban problems as poverty, racism, and AIDS--even confronting the terrifying realities of mental illness and satanism. Line drawings. (Religious Fiction)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Millions of Joshua fans have made each novel in this inspirational series a national best-seller — and will have their highest expectations met by this eagerly awaited parable for today. There are times when the human race falls so deeply into despair that it seems only a visit from God can bring it back from the brink of utter devastation. Many people, when they look at the dangerous problems in today's society, can see that we live in just such a time. With his characteristic warmth and sincerity, Joshua makes his eagerly awaited return to answer this fear as he confronts the needs and injustices that face the residents of a nameless city. But this is a Joshua you've never seen before, one who overcomes such endemic urban problems as poverty, racism, and AIDS — one who even confronts the terrifying realities of mental illness and satanism. In a community where these seem like insurmountable problems, Joshua sows the seeds of renewal with his words of love. He reaches out to every person with transforming openness and shows the possibilities for bringing about the regeneration of the city, even bringing about undreamed-of economic revitalization. But other problems remain for the inhabitants of this world of despair, which money cannot help. It is, most importantly, to these residents that Joshua addresses his message of acceptance. This inspirational series of novels about the return of Jesus in the present day now reaches important conclusions with its fourth installment. The message of Joshua has never so closely addressed such urgent matters, and, in the end, the reader is given hopeful answers that lead in the direction of peace andunderstanding.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly