Title: Iscariot: A Novel
Author: Tosca Lee
Pages: 352
Year: 2013
Publisher: Howard Books
Picture
yourself in a chair watching a movie, any movie. As the movie begins the usual warnings are
posted sometimes followed by previews and then the main feature begins. You hear music, see the company’s logo and
then the long awaited feature begins. Sitting
there with snacks and a drink, you watch the story unfold. If the movie is one you have already seen
before, perhaps you watch it to just relax and enjoy it again. What if it is new though? You have never seen the movie; the
expectation for a great experience heightens as once again a tale is told.
When
I began this novel, what I previously described in some ways is what I
felt. Although there was no music or
company logo, the anticipation to read about someone most people know a lot about
didn’t diminish the hope that this would be a compelling novel. There I was caught up in a story told in
first person by Judas himself. Remember,
this is a strictly a fiction novel even though there was a real man named Judas
who betrayed Jesus. What Tosca Lee does
in this tale is to imagine what life, thoughts, hopes, dreams, hurts, and more Judas
may have felt. The Bible is silent on
this man in any depth. Tosca Lee dares
to take him from obscurity and expertly weaves a compelling masterpiece told
from his perspective.
You
will see through the character’s eyes the time and life of Jesus. Throughout the novel we are reminded of the
many teachings Judas heard, the miracles he witnessed, and the part where he
betrayed a friend with a kiss. Not only
that, but he took the money offered by some religious leaders to betray
Jesus. Coincidentally, 30 pieces of
silver was the cost to buy a slave. What
could possibly compel someone to betray and sell someone else, then go and take
his own life? There are many views and
books written about Judas and his actions, but Tosca tells us a story of a man
from his point of view. She brings him
out and away from controversy of scholars to paint a tale of a man we really
don’t know much about.
Iscariot
is a page turner and reminds us of the humanity of this man. The novel causes us to think of how people
lived at that time in history, what they saw and what they thought. In some places Jesus speaks, reminding us of
Judas’ presence when some of the events take place. Judas was not just an observer; he
participated. He was known to the other
disciples too. To read this book is to
take a trip back in time and perhaps be reminded that we too can betray another. I would read for hours before I would look at
a clock and remember it is the year 2013.
Written words can carry our imaginations to far away places, and Tosca
Lee did a magnificent job of doing that here.
Now, are you ready to take the adventure in history back to Bible
times? Be bold and take the trip; it is
worth it!
My
rating is 5+ stars.
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
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@lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457
