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LOUIS DE WOHL
Age Range: 13/14 and up
Reading Level: General Audience
This panoramic novel of the last days of Christ ranges from the palaces of imperial Rome to the strife-torn hills of Judea-where the conflict of love and betrayal, revenge and redemption, reaches a mighty climax in the drama of the Crucifixion. For this is the full story of the world's most dramatic execution, as it affected one of its least-known participants-the man who hurled his spear into Christ on the Cross.
Among his many successful historical novels, Louis de Wohl considered The Spear the magnum opus of his literary career.
The Spear was the first (non-school) novel I have read in six months, and now I feel like I have rediscovered reading! I stayed up too late many nights in a row reading (actually listening, haha) to The Spear because I just had to know what would happen next! After reading such a high-end book, I am excited to read even more.
The Spear is a captivating tale, a unique blend of The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas and The Mark of the Lion series by bestselling author Francine Rivers. It primarily revolves around a young Roman man who, in a desperate bid to clear his father’s debts, sells himself into slavery. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn, leading him to become a soldier under the rule of Pontius Pilate. The characters were perfect, and as The Spear was told from many points of view, I was able to get into the minds of the Gospel characters who took part in the Crucifixion of Jesus, including Pontius Pilate, Judah, and the High Priest of the Jews. It was so intriguing and made me think. The ending, which I won’t spoil, was a perfect surprise that left me yearning for more.
Honestly, I enjoyed this one and wholeheartedly recommend it. The novel was well written, entertaining, set during Roman times, funny at times, about a man coming to Christ in his masculinity, and had a bit of romance thrown into it. If you are 13 or 14 years old, you could start reading this book, but if you are more mature, maybe 12. The Spear is a great Catholic book and one of those books that a teenager or adult, girl or boy, could read and both love!
Things to mention: Many people die, but there is little to no description of their deaths. The story relays part of Christ's Passion but is done thoughtfully and not graphically. Judah's suicide and the cheating of a woman are implied but not explicitly mentioned/described—a little description of torture. A Jewish woman who is 15 is married to a Jewish man who is in his 70s, and a Roman soldier wonders offhandedly about their marriage life. A man describes his desire for a woman, but he does it in a more wholesome way—a few kisses with little to no detail.
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Hey there! 📚 Have you had the chance to dive into The Spear yet? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts! And hey, if you have any book recommendations for me to review, please do share. Your visit means a lot to me - thanks for stopping by! 🌟
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