The Silver Chalice (Loyola Classics) [Paperback]

Thomas Costain (Author), Amy Welborn (Editor), Peggy Noonan (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006 | Series: Loyola Classics

"An outstanding historical novel.”—New York Times

“This novel makes real . . . the whole world of the New Testament.”—Chicago Tribune

“His theme is presented with an assurance and sweetness that is refreshing
in a great novel.”—Christian Science Monitor

The colorful, passionate world of early Christianity comes to vivid life in this story of Basil of Antioch. Basil, a sensitive artisan, is purchased from slavery and commissioned to create a decorative casing for the Chalice that Jesus used at the Last Supper. Basil travels to Jerusalem, Greece, and Rome, meets the apostles, braves the perils of persecution, and finally makes a fateful choice that allows him to “see” Jesus. The dramatic plot, compelling characters, and spiritual depth of The Silver Chalice made it one of the most popular historical novels of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The Silver Chalice recounts the story of Basil, a young silversmith, who is commissioned by the apostle Luke to fashion a holder for the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper. The Silver Chalice was the best-selling fiction title of 1953 in the United States and was made into a film starring Paul Newman.

From the Back Cover

"An outstanding historical novel.”—New York Times

“This novel makes real . . . the whole world of the New Testament.”—Chicago Tribune

“His theme is presented with an assurance and sweetness that is refreshing
in a great novel.”—Christian Science Monitor

The colorful, passionate world of early Christianity comes to vivid life in this story of Basil of Antioch. Basil, a sensitive artisan, is purchased from slavery and commissioned to create a decorative casing for the Chalice that Jesus used at the Last Supper. Basil travels to Jerusalem, Greece, and Rome, meets the apostles, braves the perils of persecution, and finally makes a fateful choice that allows him to “see” Jesus. The dramatic plot, compelling characters, and spiritual depth of The Silver Chalice made it one of the most popular historical novels of the twentieth century.
 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 840 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Classics; First edition (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829423508
• ISBN-13: 978-0829423501
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping story of Love, Labor and Faith, September 15, 2000

By 

Rosie Cardo "Book addict" (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Chalice (Hardcover)

This book was given to me over the summer by my mother who read it when she was young. From the moment I opened it, I couldn't put it down. The story of Basil's journey from Antioch to Jerusalem is one of great courage and faith. The fictional characters are well developed, and the historical ones are portrayed quite uniquely with qualities of real people one seldoms sees in Paul and Luke. This book has led me to read more of this genre, including Taylor Caldwell's "Dear and Glorious Physician". The awkward situation Basil finds himself in between Helena and Deborra is a believable situation, and it provides great insight into the mind of an intelligent, and proud young man. I recommend this book to those who are fascinated with history, the Christian religion and excellent writing.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On My List of Top 5 Books!, June 13, 2005

By 

Downtown "writergal" (Rochester Hills, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silver Chalice (Hardcover)

I am a prolific reader and The Silver Chalice is one of my all time favorite books. It has suspense, history, greed, romance, love, longing, spirituality - the list of in depth emotions that the main character experiences is amazing. Basil is adopted by a wealthy family at a young age and upon his adopted father's death he is sold into slavery. The story of how he meets Luke, the great physician, Joseph of Arimathea, and many other bibical characters and their influence on his life is astounding. This is a must read book that you will want to read many times.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keep the Light Burning, January 13, 2008

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silver Chalice (Loyola Classics) (Paperback)

Thomas B. Costain's "The Black Rose" enthralled me during the Christmas 2006 season. I found a copy of his 1952 novel "The Silver Chalice" @ a friends of the library sale and snapped it up with glee. While it sat on my reading table almost a year until Christmas 2007, it was well worth the wait.

Costain weaves his tale, set with a backdrop of the early Christian struggle in the years immediately after the crucifixion. Paul is a major character as is the physician Luke, who of course is credited with writing one of the Biblical gospels. I found it interesting that while The Urantia Book speaks of the Apostle John living until age 101 and dying in the heart of Africa, Costain's novel finds him hiding in caves near Rome.

The fictional story is gripping. Beginning in Antioch, it follows a boy named Ambrose who is sold by his father to a wealthy merchant Ignatius who adopts him and changes his name to Basil. The story follows Basil's artistic talents and temperament until his father's death. Rather than his adoptive son inheriting Ignatius' wealth, his greedy brother Linus disputes the adoption, bribes judge & witnesses, and sells Basil into slavery. Virtually imprisoned, Basic creates lovely jewelry until Luke steps in and pays off his owner and takes Basil to Jerusalem to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy Christian merchant. Joseph who is elderly and failing wants Basil to create a frame that has the faces of the apostles to hold the silver chalice that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. Costain weaves in romance, as Basil is attracted to Joseph's granddaughter Deborah. The plot takes off from there. In 533 pages, Basil travels to Rome and is entangled in Nero's court.

I found the tale to spark many spiritual feelings in me, the love of Jesus, the appreciation of loyalty in the face of peril and the sweet sense of brotherhood between the early Christians. Costain concludes his novel with Luke envisioning modern times and how Jesus will be as important to later generations. The story is replete with many vivid characters, the giants who defend the camel train for example. I found myself not wanting to turn the light out at night and thinking the extra time reading was worth the experience the next day. This is another charming tale from Costain. I'm so glad I discovered it! Enjoy!