Alone in Eden speculates on the life of a man known simply as the Traveler - Adam and Eve's first son. Pastore starts with the idea that Adam and Eve had a son before the Fall. And this makes sense. After all, there was the command to "be fruitful and multiply," (Genesis 1:22, to be precise). Why should we think that they didn't do that before Eve decided to eat some forbidden fruit?

And really, the only argument that can be made scripturally against this notion is the argument from silence — there's no mention of a son before Cain and Abel. But there's an indication, however slight, that Eve knew something about childbirth before the Fall. God's curse to her doesn't say that childbirth will hurt; it says the pain in childbirth will be increased. So it is possible that Eve knew what childbirth was like before the fall.

Of course, such speculation is interesting philosophically and theologically - was Adam and Eve's original sin shared by the son/daughter who was already there? If not, is there a race of "perfect men" that are descended from that offspring? AND is that offspring still alive today, having not been cursed with death? But does it work as fiction? Absolutely. The book is a fascinating look at mankind through the eyes of someone who did not sin - in fact, who seems to not have the capacity to sin.

Theologically, I did have some disagreements with the book. I thought it ironic that the Traveler disobeys his father Adam very early in the book, but that is not considered a sin, while Adam and Eve's disobedience is sin. Pastore has a unique viewpoint of the stories in Genesis, one that Christians of most stripes will not necessarily share. I was at once relieved and disappointed that Pastore didn't choose to include any interaction with Christ in the book — though, from a classic Christian perspective, the Traveler must be Christ — the only sinless man. And the book concludes with a slight teaser, as if there may be more in the offering - "I have much to do."

The only real, major drawback to this book is the cover art. While those who are less  prudish than I am may have no problem with the image of a nude, bound man, I found myself unable to take this one out in public. That aside, it's an outstanding book, and I found myself enjoying it tremendously - often in spite of myself.