Synopsis
Bestseller Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ combines the romance, melodrama, and spiritual piety common in the sentimental novels of the nineteenth century with the action, adventure, and intrigue found in the more lurid tales of the day. The story takes its Jewish hero, Judah Ben-Hur, across the Roman Empire of the first century, initially on a quest for revenge against the Roman childhood friend who betrayed him and then finally on a more spiritual quest to understand the nature of the new teacher Jesus Christ.
As odd as it may seem I've never watched the Charlton Heston classic which is based on this novel by Lew Wallace.
I found it interesting when I read up on some of Lew Wallace's background. He was a general during the Civil War. Later on he went on a secret mission in Mexico to support President Benito Juarez. He also convinced Billy the Kid to testify against other outlaws.
Ben-Hur's spiritual journey goes along with Wallace's own journey. Before writing the novel Wallace claimed that he neither believed or disbelieved and was embarrassed by his lack of knowledge. He created a fictional story set in the time of Christ so that the story would reach a more broad audience than just sermonizing.
Next up will be House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
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