When Theo Griepenkerl happens upon the fifth Gospel in a war-torn Iraqi museum, he can’t believe his luck. Driven by greed and a lust for fame, he capitalises on his find by publishing it. His book is a sensation. But he can hardly imagine the incendiary consequences his discovery will have for Christians, Arabs, homicidal maniacs and Amazon customers alike.
The Fire Gospel is a brilliant piece of storytelling, dazzlingly outrageous and utterly gripping.
Faber's cautionary tale about the perils of literary fame also works very well as a spoof of The Da Vinci Code phenomenon.
In writing this playful noir thriller-cum-The Da Vinci Code pastiche, the versatile Faber shows he can pen an off-the-cuff satire.
Beautifully written...it might just be the best novel you'll read this year
London LiteA] playful narrative [with] a serious question at the heart
Sunday TimesA thriller of a story
The TimesA hilariously entertaining read
Sunday Telegraph...the satire is so entertaining, the pace so sharp, the writing so witty...
ObserverA lean, controlled, instantly engrossing book.
Lisa Mullen, Time OutStartling. ...What he did for the Victorian novel in The Crimson Petal and the White - rethinking and recasting it - Faber now does for the best-selling books du jour. The Da Vinci Code with gags - and bile.
Ian Sansom, GuardianFaber is flexing his literary and academic muscles here, but covering everything in easy to digest, page-turning and often very funny prose. ... Definitely proof that one of our most entertaining and original authors has risen again.
Claire Sawers, The ListThe Fire Gospel is an entertaining story, with a vein of playful symbolism running throughout . . a provocative little volume with a strong element of knowing humour.
Henry Hitchings, Financial TimesSharply satirical.
Tom Gatti, The TimesA pacy book-world satire.
Naomi West, Harper's BazaarIrresistibly readable.
Sunday Times on 'Crimson PetalThe most enjoyable novel I've read all year.
Independent on Sunday on 'CrimFaber's writing is chaste, dryly humorous and resolutely moral ... A remarkable novel.
New York Times on 'Under the SA real triumph. This is a man who would give Conrad a run at writing the perfect sentence.
Guardian on 'Under the Skin'An intensely imaginative time-travel experience.
Independent on 'Crimson Petal'