Christ the Lord: Road to Cana by Anne Rice

 Publication Date: March 4, 2008

Anne Rice's second book in her hugely ambitious and courageous life of Christ begins during his last winter before his baptism in the Jordan and concludes with the miracle at Cana.

It is a novel in which we see Jesus—he is called Yeshua bar Joseph—during a winter of no rain, endless dust, and talk of trouble in Judea.

Legends of a Virgin birth have long surrounded Yeshua, yet for decades he has lived as one among many who come to the synagogue on the Sabbath. All who know and love him find themselves waiting for some sign of the path he will eventually take.

And at last we see him emerge from his baptism to confront his destiny—and the Devil. We see what happens when he takes the water of six great limestone jars, transforms it into cool red wine, is recognized as the anointed one, and urged to call all Israel to take up arms against Rome and follow him as the prophets have foretold.

As with Out of Egypt, the opening novel, The Road to Cana is based on the Gospels and on the most respected New Testament scholarship. The book's power derives from the profound feeling its author brings to the writing and the way in which she summons up the presence of Jesus.

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Most people have read Anne Rice's Vampire series and even those who haven't most likely have heard of them.  Ms. Rice is an author whose reputation precedes her.  Her beautifully written novels have sold millions world wide and she has a loyal and devoted following of fans.  She is a talented writer there is no debate.  Her writing is evocative and lyrical, her characters are three dimensional and fully realized, details are rich and commanding.  Reading any one of her novels is a veritable treat.  Up until recently all of this talent has been largely spent writing about vampires and witches.  A few years ago Ms. Rice had a religious epiphany and has now devoted all of her incredible writing talent to glorifying the Lord.  She has embarked on a new journey; one that will undoubtedly bring the life of Jesus to many who may never have known Him before.  Ms. Rice manages to deftly depict the Life of Jesus in a moving, beautiful, faithful account.  Whether you are a faithful believer or not it makes no matter.  This book is a joy to read.

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Anne Rice was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in English and Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.
She is the author of 28 books, most recently Called Out of Darkness, a memoir and Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt and Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, novels depicting the early life of Jesus Christ, based on the Gospels and the most respected New Testament scholarship. Her first novel, Interview with the Vampire, was published in 1976 and has gone on to become one of the best-selling novels of all time. She continued her saga of the Vampire Lestat in a series of books, collectively known as The Vampire Chronicles, which have had both great mainstream and cult followings. Anne Rice is also the author of The Witching Hour, Servant of the Bones, Merrick, Blackwood Farm, Blood Canticle, The Feast of All Saints, and Cry to Heaven. She lives in Rancho Mirage, California.