Books

Rough-edged Retelling

Johnny Cash retells six years in the life of his hero, the apostle Paul.

Man in White: a novel
Man in White: a novel
Man inWhite: anovel Johnny Cash HarperSanFrancisco, 227 pp., $13.95

Johnny Cash, “The Man in Black,” died September 12, leaving a legacy of music, writing, and this novel. Originally published in 1986, this recent reissue features Cash’s homespun retelling of six years in the life of the apostle Paul, whom Cash called his hero.

The introduction alone is worth the price of admission, as Cash reflects on the series of events that led him to write the book. As the musician known for his jail concerts writes about an apostle who spent a considerable time in jail, Paul comes to life: first as a raging zealot who dispenses “justice” to Christians without mercy, later as one who has “seen the light.”

Cash vividly imagines Paul’s resistance to betrothal and marriage and determination to live a spartan life. Later, he believably writes of Paul’s loneliness and longings. The book ends abruptly as Paul begins his first missionary journey; an epilogue fills in the rest of his life.

Like the author himself, the novel is somewhat unpolished, but the rough edges are also part of its appeal.

Those familiar with Cash: An Autobiography will recognize his gritty, fervent voice narrating Paul’s story, and be drawn into it.

Cindy Crosby is a regular contributor to Publishers Weekly.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

More information is available from the publisher.

The Man in White is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

See also Christianity Today‘s tribute to Cash.

Our Latest

When Deities Promise Answers to Dating and Money Woes

Until the gospel starts explicitly addressing daily needs, most Taiwanese non-Christians will likely remain uninterested.

News

Vets in Ministry Won’t Retreat from the Military’s Suicide Crisis

Christians say the epidemic of former service members taking their own lives is about more than PTSD.

News

Space Force Hymn Lifts Prayer to the Heavens

Southern Baptist chaplain says God prompted him to write song for the newest branch of the US military. 

Beijing, Let My Daughter Come Home

Power Without Integrity Destroys Us

Evangelicals helped elect Trump. Can evangelicals also hold him accountable?

The Bulletin

Sultan of Swing

The Bulletin addresses the election of Donald Trump.

What Another Trump Presidency Means To Evangelicals Around the World

Christian leaders from Nepal to Turkey greet the US election results with joy, grief, and indifference.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube