A great read! Not my usual choice of book because of the overtly religious themes, but it ranks comparably with "Ben Hur" and "Quo Vadis" and outdoes both for pace, drama and action. Having said that, I wouldn't call it Booker Prize material!
De Wohl does an unusual take on the last days of Christ, seen from the eyes of a little-known historical/Biblical character: the young and disillusioned Roman Centurion Longinus who would be immortalised as the one who pierced the Lord's side with a spear. It's gripping to the end, and never feels preachy or fake, even though de Wohl quotes liberally from scripture.
4 stars because I can't stand the heroine Naomi, who faints at least 3 times and needs perpetual rescuing (usually by the dashing and handsome Cassius). Inspiring reading, and a real page turner!
(Book cover photo from: www.ignatiusinsight.com
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