Theo's Odyssey

by Catherine Clément

Book Overview

This beguiling novel is an extraordinary journey through the world's religions that does for spirituality what Sophie's World did for philosophy. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0006551351
• ISBN13: 9780006551355
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 573 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I do recommend it

I really enjoyed this book and I was really surprised while reading other people comments. If you are searching for a theological assay, don't buy this book, or you may be disappointed. If you don't like to read a long story, and feel bored if the author hasn't written what you think is important, don't buy this book. But, if you want to know a bit about religions all over the world, and if you don't care if the informations are not sooooo accurate, don't think twice: it's a wonderful first step for people who want to know the world that exists beyond their own navel, thoughts and behaviour. Not recommended for the ones who think their own religion is the best and only pathway to God.

A good introduction to religion

As a teenager I was reluctant to read a book about the world religions. However, the colorful way in which the religions were presented, made the book more attractive and sparked an interest in religion that I otherwise wouldn't have discovered. I think that it was a good way to introduce religion as a subject to an uneducated person and served as a vehicle for further study.

Loved the book.

Theo's Odyssey was a wonderful book. The critics who feel the tenents of each religion were not exactly as they have researched/read/been taught should go on to something more scholarly that would best utilize their, obviously, stellar intellect. For the rest of us, who enjoy a good read while learning about people passionate about their chosen religions, it was most informative in a imaginatively-written manner. To me, it showed how all of us believe so differently but so much the same upon closer inspection. Certainly tolerance of each other's beliefs was what I came away with after reading this book. To each their own, but I would recommend this book. I read this book twice -- something I've never done before.

A Tour de Force on spirituallity

This book is an excellent journey through the major religions of the world. Much in the same flavor of "Sophie's World" this book tells the story of a 14-year old boy -Theo, and how he searches the world looking for a cure for his unknown illness. The book has some really good ways of comparing religions, for example, that monotheist religions are bloodier than polytheist religions. You will find that just as fundamentalism is (or has been) present in all religions, there are some more liberal and progressive views in most religions. You will also realise how religions have shaped the people's idiosyncrasy in different parts of the world, and how newer religions are always characterize by syncretism (a mixture or superposition of diferent points of view into a coherent hybrid cosmovision). The only thing missing is a chapter on atheism. I think (and hope) this book would encourage high school educators to teach a course on the History of Religions.I don't know which book I like the most, Sophie's World or Theo's Odyssey. But I do know they belong beside each other. I found Sophie's writing a little bit clever and funnier; but Theo's writting is lightier and easier to read, and you just want to keep reading it. One thing for sure, if you liked Sophie's World, you are going to enjoy Theo's Odyssey. Perhaps a third novel where Theo finds Sophie (or Hilde) and they as young adults decide to search the world for love and their various interpretations of it would make the perfect trilogy: Authors take note!!!!!

A novel explaining the main world religions

This was one of the most fantastic books I have every read! It is far more better than 'Sophie's World', because there are practically no transitions between the plot itself and the religious facts and details! If you are curious to know something about our world's religions and you have always been bored with 'dry' religious encyclopedias, then I advise you to enjoy this oevre fantastique!