Review of Benyamin's The Second Book of Prophets
Fearless Malayalam novelist Benyamin's The Second Book of Prophets is unsurprising for its theme and bold storytelling.
After reading interpretations of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts (both significant finds of the mid-20th century that offer insights into Judaism and Christian history), Benyamin was inspired to write this book that looks at the historical and spiritual figure of Jesus Christ through a new lens.
The author has explored Christian themes in his earlier works (Body and Blood, Yellow Lights of Death) and earned plaudits for other powerful stories as well (Goat Days, Jasmine Days).
This novel, translated by Ministhy S., is a brave, secularised retelling of the life and times of Jesus Christ, challenging some traditional Christian beliefs in an iconoclastic manner.
Conflicts and betrayals
Jesus makes his appearance at a crucial time when the Jews are struggling for freedom from centuries of Roman rule over territory that is broadly today's Israel. Many Jews believe Jesus could be their long-awaited 'messiah' who will liberate them, a matter in which Jesus shows no interest.
Besides, in Benyamin's retelling, the Tribe of Benjamin is opposed to someone like Jesus (from the rival House of David) coming as 'messiah', as well as his message of peace, love and equality. They conspire with the Romans to betray Jesus.
Yet, Jesus continues to lead a different freedom struggle, working with the various warring tribes to reconcile their differences, before sacrificing his life for the cause.
Internecine conflicts, treachery, distrust, disunity, betrayals — the leitmotifs of failed revolts throughout history — play out plainly among the Jews who fail to overpower the Romans.
Taking cues from history
Evidently, the author desires a different understanding of Jesus, not through the eyes of faith but by studying historical texts. In the novel, Jesus appears not as the son of god but as a social reformer and revolutionary, fighting evil and injustice.
The much-vaunted miracles performed by Jesus — turning water into wine, the healing of lepers and the resurrection of the dead — are interpreted in the book, not literally as miracles but as Jesus' spurning of prejudiced societal laws and customs of the time, or 'social miracles'.
Even Judas' betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver is attributed to tribal rivalries, not greed as the Bible narrates.
Undoubtedly, the Bible as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts allow different readings and perspectives of Jesus' life and that period in history. Clearly, Benyamin, with a passion for history, feels there is much to say about Jesus' life and times outside of the prevailing convictions, and has done so to also make the story relevant to our fractured times.
The novel, originally published in Malayalam in 2007, and read widely, drew flak from die-hard believers for Benyamin's secularisation of Jesus' life, upending conventional beliefs. Time will tell how readers of the English translation will respond.
The reviewer is a Bengaluru-based independent journalist.
The Second Book of Prophets Benyamin, trs Ministhy S. Simon & Schuster India ₹599
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