Walter Wangerin
Walter Wangerin, Jr. is a literary scholar, theologian, performance storyteller and best-selling author. He is the author of over 30 books, which encompass a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, children's books, poetry and short stories. Wangerin's first book, The Book of the Dun Cow, won the National Book Award in 1980 and was The New York Times' Best Children's Book of the Year. Wangerin's other awards include the Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature (2000) and The Wittenberg Award (1994). His vibrant retelling of the Bible as an epic novel - The Book of God - was acclaimed as a literary masterpiece and has now been published in over 20 languages worldwide. Its successor - Paul: A Novel - is an imaginative exploration of the life of one of the New Testament's most intriguing characters. Wangerin's non-fiction books span a broad range of topics, including Advent preparations, marriage, children and bereavement.
Wangerin currently holds the Jochum Chair at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana (since 1991), where he teaches literature and creative writing, and is writer-in-residence. He lives in Valparaiso with his wife. He has spoken and lectured at universities, conferences and events all over the world. In addition to his writing, Walter has worked as a university professor, a radio announcer and pastor of an inner-city church; he has also travelled with migrant farm workers and has participated in a Lakota Indian sun dance.
Wangerin's Jesus: A Novel, is an energetic retelling of the life of Jesus, from his first Passover in Jerusalem at the age of 12 to his death and resurrection.
Praise for Walter Wangerin:
'An epic adventure. The dramatic story of one of the most provocative and influential men in history... Excellent writing.'
Publishing News
'Wangerin serves up a feast of colour and detail that brings the first century - and even more impressively, the Bible - alive. Whatever your religious persuasion, this book is an unmissable companion to one of the greatest yet most puzzling stories ever told.'
Brian Draper, amazon.co.uk
'A powerfully sustained narrative... Paul, in short, is a happy marriage between meticulous research and historical imagination... The author has struck an admirable balance between the light-hearted and the serious, the weighty and the entertaining.'
The Tablet
'Reads like Gone with the Wind (of the Holy Spirit) or Pride and Prejudice (plus prophets). Wangerin has done for the biblical kings what Shakespeare did for Macbeth and Richard III... Imaginative, stimulating and fresh... Bubbles with creativity but above all, the work of a craftsman.'
Glasgow Herald