The Nazarene: A Novel Based on the Life of Christ (Paperback)

by Scholem Asch (Author) "NOT the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition of our existence..." (more)
Key Phrases: fish dryers, ritualistic fringes, friend the centurion, High Priest, Pan Viadomsky, Bar Abba (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The story of Jesus is told by three different witnesses: Cornelius, Pontius Pilate's governor of Jerusalem; the fragmentary gospel of Judas Iscariot; and the narrative of Joseph, a young student of Nicodemus, presenting a sweeping panorama of the Holy Land nearly two thousand years ago. Reprint. NYT.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Yiddish

Product Details

• Paperback: 698 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf; 2 edition (September 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786703792
• ISBN-13: 978-0786703791
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #577,386 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christ's Ministry in Living Color!, June 2, 1999

By	Winston Crisp (TN) - See all my reviews

Just as the reading of Josephus's 'Works' illumined my understanding of, and appreciation for, the Old Testament and the Jewish heritage of my Christian faith, so did reading 'The Nazarene' inform my understanding of 1st century Jewish life, culture, mores and religious practice. Seldom have I felt so utterly absorbed in the world of an author's creation (A possible exception being 'City of Joy'). I'm having a harder time convincing myself Mr. Asch wasn't a first-hand witness to the events he describes than I would convincing myself he was. For 600-odd glorious pages, I was there amidst all the political and spiritual tumult of the times and the confusion and emotional chaos of those grappling with the life and words of Yeshua of Nazareth, both from within and without the Messianic camp. In 'The Nazarene' I didn't read a book, I had a spiritual experience that - once I've had a chance to distill and absorb it - will profoundly affect the way in which I believe and, therefore, live and exercise my faith. I wish there were ten stars.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical book, March 24, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Martinez, California, USA) - See all my reviews

Mr. Asch has written a book of subtlety and magic with "The Nazarene." He deals beautifully with the complexity of the story of Christ, and adds an interesting and spiritually enriching twist on it by using "modern-day" characters narrate the events of the past by having past-life flashbacks. The ending is exquisite. Asch has always been able to capture the hearts of both Judaism and Christianity, displaying them not as enemies but as close cousins. Great great great!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical narrative of Biblical times, March 28, 2005

By	C. Stephans "www.craigstephans.wordpress.com" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Nazarene paints a vivid, colorful picture of the historical era of Christ in the land of Israel. Asch excels in describing the culture, geography, politics and religious atmosphere in which Christ lived. Although, this book is slow in action, it is truly rich in character and background development. Readers of the Bible will see many of its holes filled in by knowledgeable contentions on the part of Asch who seems a keen expert on the times of Christ.

He oddly uses a narrative technique involving citizens of 1930's Poland who have connected with their past lives. In their past lives, they interacted in the events surrounding Christ's life, and they tell the story from their past lives' perspective. I found this aspect of the novel strange and unnecessary. Asch could have excluded the "reincarnation" scenario and just scripted an historical novel based on the known events of Christ's life.

This is not a quick read and was slow and methodical but provides such insight into Biblical events that it is worthwhile. Asch is a jewish writer but does not contradict Christian beliefs; he rather offers the reader varying accounts of characters in the book, as history itself has done.