Customer Reviews

Quo Vadis

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The first time I read this book was when I was a senior in high school in fall of 2004.

I never regretted picking up this book that late afternoon and making the effort to flip to the first chapter out of curiosity and read the first few lines. It's one of the few books that has an irresistible beginning that grabs you by the horns and doest let go until you finish. I was so hooked that I had finished it before mid-night of the next day. And this is a kid that loathed, and I mean LOATHED to read.

I've always had a fascination with ancient civilizations and history, especially the glory and power of the Roman Empire. I've never read a book which so well described the Roman culture, the people, the politics, the cuisine...to the point that I could taste their food, smell the incenses, hear the sounds of market forums, see the towering buildings of ancient Rome and witness the extravagant parties an Emperor like Nero would host on a regular basis. The plot is just incredible, considering that most of the characters are real and their decisions all based on historical accounts. Sienkiewicz's ability to so closely interweave history with the heart wrenching plot is what transcends this book from a great novel to a masterpiece.

The most important impact it had on me was on a spiritual level as a Roman Catholic. Even though I was going through Confirmation at that time, the classes were lead by volunteer parents who had a very shady understanding of their own faith and the experience was so unbearably boring and corny that I was really repelled from my faith.

Reading this book helped me realized the profound message of Christ and the cost at which it was passed down to me.

It opened my eyes to begin understanding where to look for true beauty in a women, where to look to find true strength in a man, and how fame, power, riches and physical beauty are all nothing compared to the faithful and loving heart of a humble Christian.

Probably one of the greatest books ever written in Polish. Makes one see why Sienkiewicz received a Nobel Prize in literature. Great story, set in 1st century Rome during the persecution of the first Christians. Its themes are timeless: finding good in the midst of evil, faith and the presence of God in dark times, true love versus lust. Beautifully written and compelling.

Events in the novel take place in Ancient Rome during the reign of Nero. In this period of time, Rome was at the top of her power. Having defeated all potential enemies, Rome had nothing to fear from the neighbors. In these golden ages, instead of governing the empire young and spoiled emperor Nero devoted himself to arts, poetry and acting. Following their master in his madness, those close to the emperor merged themselves in luxury and amusements. In contrast to the lifestyle of Caesar's court, people dwelling in poverty and slaves comprised majority of the population, this giving subjects for social conflicts. In this time new religion, Christianity, bringing hope to these wretched people was born.

The story evolves around three main characters: Petronius, Nero's favorite and arbiter of elegance, Vinicius, young military tribune and Lygia, daughter of Lydian's king and Rome's hostage as a guarantee of peace between Rome and Lydia. Once had met Lygia, Vinicius desperately fell in love with her. Eloquent Petronius having enormous influence on Nero persuaded him to give Lygia to his friend, Vinicius. Lygia although attracted to Vinicius decided to flee from him; as a Christian she was opposed to his pagan character. During the search for Lygia, Vinicus was introduced to Christian's believes. In a series of events, their kindness, care for each other, strength of faith made Vinicius to doubt his own standards and believes. Eventually he was baptized and nothing seemed to stop him from marrying Lygia; nothing but the great fire of Rome in AD 64. Nero blamed Christians for burning the capital to draw the responsibility from him. Thousands of Christians were thrown into jails and then died on arenas to please rabble. Among these was Lygia. No hope but faith was only left to Vinicius. Following miraculous rescue of Lygia, Vinicius went with her to Sicilia, away from the madness of the capital. At the same time, after Petronius reproached Nero for burning Rome, clouds began to gather over his head. Nero influenced by other favorites striving after Petronius's power finally issued death sentence to the latter. Petronius, however, decided to deprive his enemies of pleasure of public execution and committed suicide. Chaos in the empire reached its apogee. Legions in Gaul and Spain revolted and proclaimed new emperor. Patricians fed up with Nero's oddities also openly confronted him. Nothing left to the emperor but to kill himself. The novel ends with death of Nero who not having courage for committing suicide was stabbed by his freedman.

Quo Vadis

I ordered this book because I thought of it as a book I should have read many years ago. When I began reading I was a little put off by the archaic translation and thought of putting it down. After giving it some time, however, I was attracted by the story and found I could put up with the language. I was gripped by the story and found some of the discussions between Paul and Petronius to be good debates between an Epicurean and a Christian. The history in the book is very uneven. For example, the account of the death of Petronius hews pretty close to the description given in Tacitus (or was it Suetonius?), but no one believes that Nero was responsible for burning Rome, and the description of the Jews role in the whole affair has no basis in fact whatsoever. Keeping these caveats in mind, it is still a good read.