One of the Twelve

Swedish title: En av de tolv

 

Agneta Sjödin is back with a new novel - this time about the apostle James, son of Zebedee. James is a fisherman when he meets Jesus. He and his brother Johannes are drawn to the charismatic master and leave their ordinary lives behind to become Jesus' apostles. The impulsive Johannes does not hesitate for even one moment, but James carries sadness in his heart and is initially uncertain. He has lost both the woman he loved, as well as his faith. The meeting with Jesus restores new hope in him. Will he dare to believe again? Jesus' preaching is revolutionary and brings him many enemies. Jesus tries to prepare his apostles for what will happen after his death, but it is not until they are alone that they realise the true scope of the task he has given them. The apostles scatter to all corners of the world, and James task is to preach the Master's words in Hispania. There he finds love. Ana can see into the future and she has waited for his arrival. Their love grows, but so does Ana's sorrow, she knows that one day she will have to give up James.

 

It was through her walks in Spain and Portugal, that Agneta heard the legend about James - the apostle who brought Christianity to Spain. One of the Twelve is her third book and written in the same tradition as Marianne Fredriksson's series of novels with a Biblical backdrop.

 

Reviews

"It (the book) encourages us not to become paralysed with fear, to realise that each person carries the ability to perform miracles and to take responsibility for his or her actions." - Barometern

 

"A spiritual feel good story". - Hudiksvalls Tidning

 

"....expresses real devotion". - Kyrkans Tidning