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 Humbled with grace Oct 02, 2009
An enjoyable piece of literature in which I felt engaged as my sense of curiosity was satisfied with the possibilities of conceivable events unfolding. The epigrammatic chapters allowed a stop and go as you please but return soon feeling which was perfect given my very busy schedule where the luxury of reading for pleasure is in short increments. This read can leave one with the question `what if' such events occurred how would people react? Given mans historic ability to be power hungry, egocentric, compassionate and yet forgiving in nature, I believe that regardless of one's religious convictions, one may conclude that to be humbled is a change for the better as there will always be a greater force then that of our mere existence.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Good Idea, But.... Sep 20, 2009
Ideas are the foundation for any writer. An average idea executed well can get national attention and make the author a critical and commercial success, such as Dan Brown`s The DaVinci Code. Conversely, a great idea that is poorly executed may lay unread. Unfortunately, I have to put The Second Virgin by Tommy Taylor in the latter group.
When people talk about cloning they usually discuss it in the context of bringing back some historical personage, Elvis, Caesar, Hitler (for some strange reason) or Jesus. This is exactly the premise of The Second Virgin Birth. Dr. James Burk is a scientist working for Pope John Paul III in trying to isolate DNA of Jesus from the Shroud of Turin. Burk does indeed find DNA on the shroud that he is able to identify as being 2000 years old, and from a 25-35 male who was crucified. Convinced, the Pope will have him killed after Burk turns over the DNA. Burk steals it, heads to England and meets up with Dr. Clark Sullivan, a bioengineer who can clone the DNA. Together they meet and convince Brazilian industrialist Alberto Alvarez to invest in the project to clone Jesus from the DNA they've stolen from the Pope. Alvarez sets them up in a state of the art of lab. After finding a young girl, Mary, who God has told she'll be the mother of his son, they clone and impregnate her. They set-up the Church of The New Living God and start receiving pilgrims and donations from around the world which makes them richer than their wildest dreams. While they're doing this the Pope has mercenaries track them down, and launches raid after raid, to have Mary killed. All fail until he hires a genocidal general from a third world African nation, who launches an all out assault against Alvarez's compound that protects Mary. There is murder, greed, attempted rape, and gunfights but this isn't enough to move the novel.
The main problem seems to be that there is very little literary artifice, as if Mr. Taylor expects the idea itself to carry the reader over. No real dramatic tension is built up over plot points. They're mentioned and then resolved within a chapter or two with no real time or exposition to build up the dramatic anticipation of wanting to see what happens next. There's no real character development beyond the avarice of Alvarez, Burk and Clark, and even they're clichés. The Pope is said to be evil. Sending mercenaries to kill Mary is certainly the act of an evil man, but there is no real reason given that the Pope is threatened by the cloning or Mary except that it will bring down the church. No reason's are given for the Pope to believe this, and we're not even sure of the Pope himself. Is he an evil man who worked himself up to the Papacy? Or is he an inherently good man who either genuinely or mistakenly believes the new Son of God will bring about the ruin of the church? The DaVinci code also casts a Cardinal and a devout zealot as the antagonists, but their actions are understood because Brown gives us some background and explains their motivations. That is what is lacking here.
The Second Virgin Birth is a really good idea as a concept, but it misses the opportunity that comes naturally from the source material and that is morality and values. A lot of good science fiction uses extreme ideas and scenarios to comment on a society's morals or values. The idea behind this novel lends itself to comment on cloning, whether it's a good idea, or is it "because we can science." Nowhere does Taylor take the opportunity afforded which should be the natural stomping grounds of a Christian writer. The book also fails to succeed as a thriller. As mentioned before, there is no real tension in the actions or decisions of the characters and events. It doesn't even have non-stop action that would keep the reader hanging on by the seat of their pants.
There are also some logical inconsistencies that detract from the story. A couple anomalies may exist in a novel, but when they start adding up they become noticeable as a pattern. Taylor says that people who come into contact with Mary instantly become their better selves, but the people closest to her act opposite to this and you would think those closest to her would be affected the most. If there was supposed to be an ironic reason for this, I didn't see it. The characters of Burk and Sullivan at first seem to waver between being faithful and unfaithful, but these inconsistencies seem to exist for no reason within the world presented to us by Mr. Taylor.
Like most Christian writers, Taylor wants his climatic battle scene to be a battle between good and evil. The characters that are supposed to be the "good guys" are shown to be acting as vilely as the Pope's attacking mercenaries, committing murder, demonstrating avarice and lying to each other. Good has to distinguish itself from evil. In the end nothing redeems these "good guys." The breakthrough of Christian novels like the Left Behind series is that they use modern literary techniques to capture the interest of their audience and not count on the reader's faith, or the morality-tale aspect to sell the story to the reader. They conjure their own sensibilities and induce the reader to follow. The Second Virgin Birth doesn't.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 A Brave, Fascinating Read Sep 15, 2009
The impossible has happened. The DNA of Jesus has been found and a team of scientists have been hired to create the new Savior. The mother, chosen from a lottery and perhaps divine intervention, is a fifteen-year-old girl named Mary Carter. Mary's been talking to God since she was six years old and is living in an insane asylum. The Pope and other religious leaders are convinced the birth will result in a new religious order that will strip them of wealth and power. The Pope decides to kill Mary and her unborn child, however, many people will fight to the death to protect Mary.
The Second Virgin Birth is an extraordinary tale of extremes. Extreme science, devotion, fear, and greed, to name a few. But in telling this story, author Tommy Taylor also tackles serious moral and ethical issues in a world that would be turned on its head if Jesus really did return.
Mr. Taylor is a brave author. He's asking us to suspend our disbelief a long way and he's portraying religious leaders as selfish hypocrites. Some readers might take offense to his depiction of the fictional Pope, but the questions Taylor explores in this thought-provoking story are worth the risk. This book isn't about just about the battle between good and evil or science and corporate greed. It's an exploration of those many shades of gray and about people who must decide whether to cross moral, ethical, and legal boundaries for their beliefs.
I love the fact that Mr. Taylor has opened the door for a continuation of this tale. If there are extremes now, can you imagine what will happen when Jesus grows up? Buy a copy of this fascinating tale and enjoy. You won't soon forget The Second Virgin Birth.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Intriguing...Mind provoking...Genuinely Breathtaking... Aug 05, 2009
In my opinion 'The Second Virgin Birth' is a literary piece of genius! Never have I read a piece of literature that touched down so deep into my soul. In many ways, today religion has been manipulated by man to fit his own purpose. As much as science has evolved in discovering technological breakthroughs for example 'cloning' (once thought to be as much of a reality as an episode of 'The Twilight Zone')so too has mankind taken a giant leap backwards... When you read the author, Tommy Taylor's masterpiece 'The Second Virgin Birth' you will understand where I'm going with this...
Whatever faith you have chosen, or maybe has chosen you, 'Tommy Taylor's' interpretation of what has been and could be will have you challenging your own beliefs. Working through his own personal tragedy 'Tommy Taylor' has managed to write one of the most remarkable stories of our time. It's an intriguing story of suspense, genuine divine truth, healing and love.
I cannot stress enough the importance of reading this book. Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed, and you will come away enlightened by the experience...
'The Second Virgin Birth'
Review by Barbara Watkins, writer/author of 'Nightmares & Daydreams'
2nd virgin birth/Tommy Taylor Jul 17, 2009
Awesome writing! Surprised I liked it as much as I did. Raised as old school southern babtist, I had doubts. After the first 3 chapters, I was hooked! Although the thought of cloning Jesus is disturbing, I'm sure the scientist have already thought of it. Mr. Taylors other books are on my list to read. He has a syle that is as smooth as ice tea on a hot day! I was very impressed.
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