The Story of B Summary

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Take it one question at a time

1. Question 1

   Father Jared Osborne's initial assignment from his superiors is to investigate whom?

   1. A new cardinal in central Europe
   2. An itinerant preacher known as B
   3. A political dissident causing unrest
   4. A rival religious sect
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   B. An itinerant preacher known as B The book explicitly states that Osborne's assignment is to investigate 'an itinerant preacher stirring up deep trouble in central Europe' whose followers call him B.

2. Question 2

   What accusation do B's enemies levy against him?

   1. That he is a charlatan seeking money
   2. That he is the Antichrist
   3. That he is a political revolutionary
   4. That he is a false prophet
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   B. That he is the Antichrist The synopsis clearly states, 'His followers all him B, but his enemies say he’s something else: the Antichrist.'

3. Question 3

   What is the primary source of the 'gospel' that B claims to be enunciating?

   1. Ancient religious texts
   2. Divine revelation through visions
   3. Our very genes
   4. Philosophical treatises
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   C. Our very genes B claims to be 'enunciating a gospel written not on any stone or parchment but in our very genes,' presenting a radical departure from traditional spiritual sources.

4. Question 4

   As Osborne tracks B, what kind of locations does he primarily encounter B in?

   1. Churches and cathedrals
   2. Academic conferences and lecture halls
   3. Bars, cabarets, and seedy meeting halls
   4. Rural monasteries and retreats
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   C. Bars, cabarets, and seedy meeting halls The book describes Osborne tracking B 'across a landscape of bars, cabarets, and seedy meeting halls,' indicating B operates outside traditional religious venues.

5. Question 5

   What is the ultimate impact of B's teachings on Father Osborne?

   1. He becomes B's most devout follower.
   2. He becomes an anguished collaborator in the dismantling of his own religious foundations.
   3. He successfully refutes B's arguments to his superiors.
   4. He remains neutral, simply reporting his findings.
   Show answer

   B. He becomes an anguished collaborator in the dismantling of his own religious foundations. The synopsis reveals Osborne 'soon finds himself an anguished collaborator in the dismantling of his own religious foundations,' highlighting the profound personal impact of B's ideas.

6. Question 6

   What distinguishes B's 'spiritual direction for humanity' from that of traditional religion?

   1. It focuses solely on charitable works.
   2. It is based on ancient prophecies and miracles.
   3. It would have been unimaginable to any of the prophets or saviors of traditional religion.
   4. It emphasizes strict adherence to dogma.
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   C. It would have been unimaginable to any of the prophets or saviors of traditional religion. B's gospel opens 'up a spiritual direction for humanity that would have been unimaginable to any of the prophets or saviors of traditional religion,' signifying its radical and unprecedented nature.

7. Question 7

   The book is described as 'More than a masterful novel of adventure and suspense.' What else is it primarily noted for?

   1. Its historical accuracy of central European politics.
   2. Its detailed character studies of everyday people.
   3. A rich source of compelling ideas from an author who challenges us to rethink our most cherished beliefs.
   4. Its innovative use of narrative structure.
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   C. A rich source of compelling ideas from an author who challenges us to rethink our most cherished beliefs. The synopsis concludes by stating the book is 'a rich source of compelling ideas from an author who challenges us to rethink our most cherished beliefs,' highlighting its philosophical depth.

8. Question 8

   Based on the description, what is a key characteristic of the ideas presented by B?

   1. They are a modern reinterpretation of established religious doctrine.
   2. They are rooted in scientific materialism, rejecting all spirituality.
   3. They are so radical that an earlier era would have condemned B to death.
   4. They advocate for a return to ancient pagan rituals.
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   C. They are so radical that an earlier era would have condemned B to death. The text states that B 'is no blasphemous monster—though an earlier era would undoubtedly have rushed him to the burning stake,' implying his ideas are profoundly challenging to established norms.

9. Question 9

   What is the philosophical implication of B's claim that his gospel is written in our genes?

   1. That spiritual truth is entirely subjective and individually constructed.
   2. That spiritual guidance is an inherent, biological component of human existence, rather than solely an external revelation.
   3. That humanity is predestined to follow a specific religious path, encoded genetically.
   4. That religion is merely a product of genetic mutation and has no deeper meaning.
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   B. That spiritual guidance is an inherent, biological component of human existence, rather than solely an external revelation. The idea of a gospel 'written in our very genes' suggests a natural, inherent spiritual path, distinct from revelation or tradition, implying spirituality is intrinsic to human biology.

10. Question 10

    Given Osborne's trajectory from investigator to 'anguished collaborator,' what does this suggest about the nature of B's arguments?

    1. They are easily dismissed by those with strong religious faith.
    2. They rely heavily on emotional manipulation rather than logical reasoning.
    3. They possess a profound intellectual and spiritual force capable of challenging deeply entrenched beliefs.
    4. They are primarily historical critiques of religious institutions.
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    C. They possess a profound intellectual and spiritual force capable of challenging deeply entrenched beliefs. Osborne's transformation indicates that B's arguments are not easily refuted; instead, they are compelling enough to cause a highly educated religious figure to question and participate in the 'dismantling of his own religious foundations.'