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Quo Vadis? by Henryk Sienkiewicz translated by W.S. Kuniczak Paperback - 589 pages Available at:
Focus on the Family Edition available at Christianbook.com: This book has 8 sample pages available for viewing at Amazon.com |
Philologos Book Description
Vinicius loves Ligia. He is Roman through and through while she is a member of the fledgling church, a follower of Christ. He wants her as a plaything to fulfill his lustful desires, she loves him but is afraid of his animalistic nature. Rome's decadent atmosphere with its orgies, bed swapping, intrigues and murders is the backdrop to this story of the surprising change of Vinicius from cruel Roman Patrician to a loving Christian man and husband. Nero's exploits, particularly his barbaric treatment of the Christians after the burning of Rome, serve to test Vinicius and Ligia's love as they overcome obstacle after obstacle to be together.
Not for the fainthearted. Fast paced, well written historical fiction novel set in the years AD 54-68. A+ with one warning: this book was written with a Roman Catholic slant. "Blessing" people by waving a sign of the cross in the air, sprinkling water on converts, thinking Peter is the rock the church was built on instead of Jesus, thinking God told Peter to build his church with its capital in Rome were all areas of concern. All of these difficulties, however, could be combined to total maybe one page of this hefty volume. Still, it is sufficient reason to be extra careful of all theological statements throughout.
Historical novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in Polish under its Latin title in 1896. The title means "where are you going?" and alludes to a New Testament verse (John 13:36). The popular novel was widely translated. Set in ancient Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero, Quo Vadis? tells the story of the love that develops between a young Christian woman and a Roman officer who, after meeting her fellow Christians, converts to her religion. Underlying their relationship is the contrast between the worldly opulence of the Roman aristocracy and the poverty, simplicity, and spiritual power of the Christians. (The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature)
John 13:36: Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.