So why read these books? I like to think that I'm open-minded enough to consider a story (or any other work of art) on its own merits, not pre-judge based on the person on the dust jacket. Historical fiction based on key religious figures is an interesting concept, and I'd been looking for books that fit into the time periods of the lives of those figures. In a way, this is another form of my love of alternate history...just slightly different subject matter than the usual wars and political intrigue.
Buddha is a story in three parts: the birth and early life of prince Siddhartha, his abandonment of wealth and status to live as the ascetic monk Gautama, and finally his enlightenment as Buddha. The book ends just as his teaching years were beginning, which made sense to me - as I understand it, he taught for nearly 45 more years and that could be an entire other book. It's a personal story, following Siddhartha/Gautama/Buddha on his journey to enlightenment, with little focus on Buddhism as a religion (other than an explanatory epilogue). Chopra kept the story moving throughout, and the Indian cultural and religious references were fascinating.
Jesus is set during his early life, before the ministry set forth in the gospels. Jesus falls in with zealots plotting rebellion against the Romans, Gentiles searching for God, even a holy ascetic. Rather than the perfect faith of Jesus in the Bible, this Jesus is unsure much of the time, but finds his way by learning acceptance of God in all things. I thought the story really captured the feel of the times; the average Jew just trying to stay alive and fed, the Romans trying to keep the lid on a rebellious province, the zealots pushing so hard for freedom that they'd pay any price.
Muhammad uses the perspective of many different people who were close to Muhammad at various points in his life to tell his story, from close relatives to family servants to business partners. The picture that emerges is a serious and kind man, but certainly not a great leader or orator. Until an angel comes to Muhammad, and changes his life by giving him the command to recite. It's not easy to go against his nature, first as a speaker, then a leader, and in the end becoming a warrior and ruler. This portrayal was a more difficult one to accept than that of Buddha or Jesus, in my opinion; Muhammad's direct involvement in holy wars makes the picture of an enlightened leader much less believable.
I think that a reader's reaction to these books is going to depend entirely on mindset. I approached them as stories that happened to feature some familiar characters and settings, and in that I was not disappointed. Chopra is a fine storyteller, whatever you may think about his beliefs. But if you expect adherence to the orthodox portrayal of these religious figures, or deep spiritual insights into their stories, you're looking in the wrong place.
