Penned by Angel A, Holy Parrot revolves around Leonard Lumière, a science researcher, and Maria Angela Santos, a sixteen-year-old claiming to give birth to the New Christ.  The book is a recipient of the BREW Seal of Excellence.

Review

Science and religion have been at loggerheads since time immemorial. Where faith is the pillar of any religion, logic is science’s gospel. Despite this, there is a significant similarity between the two. Both religion and science, if wielded by the wrong people, can wreak havoc across the world. Conversely, in the hands of the right people, they can result in insurmountable positive developments. In Angel A’s Holy Parrot, both religion and science play key roles. 

Leonard Lumière, an undergraduate student at Melbourne University, grabs a research opportunity to discover what leads to longer lives for people living in the Colombian Department of Magdalena in his bid to escape his problems at home. In Buritaca, a remote village in Colombia, Leonard inadvertently crosses paths with Maria Angel Santos, a sixteen-year-old pregnant girl. Right from the get-go, he forges a special bond with the petite and beautiful girl. To his astonishment, Maria claims that she is a virgin mother who is to give birth to the New Christ. Her magnificent macaw, Gabrielle, had told her of her divine purpose. Though skeptical of her assertion, Leonard vows to protect the girl at all costs. However, things soon assume gigantic proportions. Maria’s miraculous pregnancy and her holy Parrot grab the attention of the world. Thousands of people belonging to different religions flock to Buritica. In addition to that, a boy, linked to Maria, has gone missing. 

Is Maria telling the truth? If so, what is her divine purpose? Will Leonard ever be able to believe her? More importantly, will he succeed in keeping her safe? 

Holy Parrot is penned by award-winning author and filmmaker Angel A. It is one of the best multicultural books that I have ever read. With his vivid words, Angel A teleports us to Colombia. From the serenity of the ocean to the mysteries of the dense jungles, we experience it all. In addition to the majestic beauty of the Caribbean, Angel A brings to life the culture of the people. Right along with Maria and Leo, we savor Colombian delicacies like empanadas and arepas, among many others. We see the simple living style of the people. We get to know about the travesti, boys who dress like girls, working in the coffee plantation. Angel A enmeshed the history of the land seamlessly in the story. We get to know about the Spanish invasion. Through Leo and Carlos’ research, we learn about the Wayuu and Tayrona people. We are also made aware of San Basilio de Palenque, the first settlement of free Africans in the Americas. I was truly transfixed by the village medicine man’s ritual. 

Angel A also talks about different religions. Maria’s miraculous pregnancy brought hordes of Hindus, Christians, and Muslims to Buritaca. I was intrigued by the Manichean Order. Through Robin O’Leary, we get to know the intricacies of all these religions. I was astounded by how people of different religions were united by a single belief. I hope something akin to the Church of the Holy Parrot, with its message of peace and unity, becomes a reality. 

I have to applaud Angel A for enlightening us with so much information yet not being monotonous. His fast-paced narrative proves that he is indeed a masterful writer. He has crafted some amazing characters. Maria is a straightforward girl with a world of responsibilities on her fragile shoulders. She never shies away from her duties. I loved to see her being herself in front of her lion, Leo. Like Leonard, I was drawn to her from the first instant. Leonard is a man of science. Yet, he is compassionate above all. Strictly speaking, he had no obligations toward Maria. Yet, he is with her every step of the way. The uncovering of his past made him all the more relatable. Robin is one character that is hard to fathom. Yet, once you understand the mythologist, you will see his genuineness. Carlos and Sylvia are relatable characters as well. I have to mention that I would have loved to know more about Gustavo, Maria’s father. He is a violent man who loves money. Yet, for some reason, I wanted to know his secrets. 

Overall, Holy Parrot is a flawless book with a lot to offer. I highly recommend Angel A’s Holy Parrot to anyone and everyone. People who love reading about culture, history, religion, science, and nature will love this captivating novel. 

Book Details

• Title: Holy Parrot
• Author: Angel A.
• Genre: Other Fiction
• Theme: Multiculturalism, Faith, Science, Peace
• Publication Date: December 1,2022
• ISBN or ASIN: B0B8SL82J6
• Number of Pages: 282
• Minimum Audience Age: 13

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

• Sexual themes: 1
• Religious themes: 3
• Violence, self-harm, etc.: 2
• Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 1
• Other adult themes: 0

Rating

• Content: 5 stars
• Writing Style: 5 stars
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
• Uniqueness: 5 stars
• Editing: 5 stars
• Other factors: 5 stars
• Overall: 5 out of 5

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