Customer Reviews

Judas the Gentile: A Novel

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I spent yesterday rereading Judas the Gentile. I liked it even better than I did when I first read it. Lliteras evoked much sympathy in me for the finely drawn character of Judas. Judas is seriously conflicted about his role in Jesus' death for reasons that Lliteras makes clear. Lliteras writes about homeless men and about tortured souls from the inside out. No writer alive does a better job of showing the reader the pain of his characters in desperate circumstances, not even Larry Brown. A reader would have to go back to Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath to find a book which can compete with Lliteras'Judas the Gentile. This lyrical and powerful book forced me to completely rethink my postion on Judas and his role in the crucifixion of Christ. I'm eager for Lliteras' next book in this great series.

This is an interesting and important work that tries to "humanize" central figures in the New Testament story of the crucifixion of Christ. The author does of fine job of removing the dust from a familiar story and making it dramatic and relevant. Even those not familiar to the story of Jesus can learn from this re-examination of history. Lliteras is a real master of dialogue, there are long passages of interesting conversations among the characters regarding the nature of rebellion, religion, and truth.

Lliteras is a fasinating writer for our times and it shows with his effort "Judas the Gentile." A book based on Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus Christ, and how he spent the evening of our Messiah's crucifixion. Told with wonderful imagery yet easy to read sentences, Lliteras gets to the heart of Judas's thoughts and the torment of his mind. His style is discriptive and very easy to read. Lliteras is also loyal to the Bible in every respect, not "recreating" but rather conveying a picture for the 21st century reader. A must for anyone who appreciates the Christian mind.

While Jesus was dying on the cross at Golgotha, Judas was drinking himself into a stupor in a tavern that overlooked the crucifixion. Judas has many regrets for what he has done but he is glad that he converted to Judaism. The thirty pieces of silver in his pocket mean nothing to him and he leaves them behind when he departs the inn. He is captured by the bandit leader Ganto who lost everything he owned to the Romans.

Gantoro is the one who had Judas infiltrate Jesus' band of followers in hopes that the charismatic leader would join forces with him in trying to initiate civil disobedience. Judas lost sight of his objective as he fell under the spell of his rabbi and when Gant ordered him to kill Jesus so he wouldn't become a martyr; he was unable to do it. Alone, friendless and totally unable to live with his betrayal, Judas sees only one way out.

D.S. Lliteras has given readers much to think about in JUDAS THE GENTILE. His portrayal of Judas feels right for a man who betrayed the most important person in his life. Readers will not love Judas but pity him for his lack of honor and inability to break free from those who want to use him. This tortured creature, who wanted too much, in the end wound up with nothing.

Harriet Klausner