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Summary: Inspiring book
Review: I read this book recently. The Robe inspired me to serve my fellow man and to be a true Christian. Lloyd C. Douglas tells the tale of a Roman soldier who becomes the owner of Jesus Christ's robe, the robe changes his life. Douglas is a very gifted writer, so many charictors, so many plots...
GOOD BOOK!
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Summary: We can only be what we believe
Review: Admittedly, I am not in any shape or form a Christian; I am an atheist. Reader of this review please bear that in mind as to not be mislead. (I am assuming the reader knows the general plot).'The Robe' is an unequaled expression (discounting only Kipling's 'If') of what a hero is (whether Christian or not); to adhere to this unambiguous warning of Jesus: "Those who try to gain their life will lose it, and those who try to lose their life will gain it."
Prior to his metamorphosis Marcellus was presented as an honorable but sometimes tactless man, such as the burtst of ill-timed joviality lands him in a dead-end job(literally). We read on about his noncondescending, kind regard for his slave Demetry and his fearless will to bring discipline to a chaotic environment.
But it is after his conversion that we see the full three-dimensionality of Marcellus. His compulsion to travel and seek out fellow believers where ever they may be was like hearing about lost dog in search of home. What made this all the more beuatiful was that his motivation was tried to be rationalized. You can't rationalize desire. It's just there and we must accept it. Marcellus had the God given motivation to be among other believers so that he may learn, not for any kind of moral exhibitionism.
He leaves his Father's home and cleaves onto the church with all his life. Amazingly, it was with little effort that he did this. Through the long journey's and the confrontations we find a man unshaken by what the world has to offer. His focus on Jesus prevents his being distracted to worldy concerns.
Particlularly observant was the remark bout Herod willing to cheat any impoverished man out of his humlest belongings yet willing to suck up to any Roman surperior. Not that the book was meant to be used as an historical reference, but as statement that a man can only be what he believes. Herod, holding other crooks and cheats to be his ideal, becomes nothing more than a cantakorous old man living only to prey on his next victim; Marcellus seems to achieved some type of Nirvana in is quest for christ. It is a pleasure to shre it with him, even for a few hundred pages.
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Summary: The best book I ever read
Review: I really recommend this book, "The Robe." Llpyd C Douglas writes a touching and moving account of what happened to the Robe that the Lord wore. it's one of the best written and ,moving books I have read.
Rating: 
Summary: Imaginative, but misleading
Review: It is a good story. And it has some elements and insight into Christianity that will enrich one's understanding. As a historical novel, it falls short of authenticty, and often the author interjects notions such as nationalism, social responsibility, and the like, which were forrign to the denizens of the first century. This book sometimes reminds me of the renaissance illustrations of the Illiad, where Agamemnon is wearing a garment that was very fashionable--for the renaissance! I also have to wonder about the author's vast vocabulary. I love reading Charles Lamb, and O'Henry who are well known for being verbose, but they also manage to poke fun at themselves at the same time. In "The Robe," however, I got the feeling that the author likes seeing himself use big words, rather than having an explicit use for them. His prosaic style is simple, easy to read, and contrast sharply with the word choices he makes from time to time. I found his theology to be dated, and sometimes a bit off the mark (I am an Orthodox Christian). But oftentimes, I gained insight into scriptural passages and settings from the point of view in the story. It is interesting to watch Demetrios and Marcellus learn about Christianity from the Pagan points of view. This is a good, interesting novel. But it is not a history or a theology lesson, and I do not think it intends to be. The only reason I write this is to pare down some of the reviews I have seen to date, and to give people a more realistic expectation of what they are getting when they buy this book.
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Summary: Back In Time
Review: I have been on a quest to know Jesus. Not the Jesus portrayed by the artists, movies, and churches. I knew most those versions were incorrect. I wanted to know the Jesus that expressed anger by turning over the tables at the taberacle. The Jesus that felt sympathy towards the guy being cruficfied right next to Him while He was in excruciating pain. Why He scolded one woman for taking care of household chores and the lazy one he praised. I wanted to picture Jesus looking like a Jew, with dark curly hair and a good physique. I wanted to know about His buddies. They seemed so weak before His crucifixion, what happened to them to make them strong enough to endure martytdom. I was transported back in time by reading words typed on paper. I did find some of those answers.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: I read this book several years ago and even though I am not a Christian, I simply loved it. Definately one of the best books I have ever read! The movie with Richard Burton was ok but nowhere near the power of this book. A man high up in Roman society gives up everything after seeing the miracle of Christ and feeling the healing power of his robe.
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Summary: Mesmerizing novel
Review: I found The Robe to be a great attention-grabber that I could not put down till the very last page. It offered a different view and insight into Jesus'times. It made me cry; it made me think and it made me want to be a better person.
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Summary: The Robe
Review: I'm a 15 year old female, and I read the book for school. I love to read, but have never read a book more exciting and enjoyable than The Robe. This book made you want to jump in and hang out with all of the characters. Marcellus was an excellent example of what all of us should strive to be like. He never gave up his quest to discover the truth about the Robe. Llyod C. Douglas betrayed all of the characters magnificently. The Robe strengthened my faith. If anyone is looking for a book that will build you up and keep you hanging till the last minute, I definatly would recommend this book. I plan to read it again shortly! For those who will be reading this book, enjoy! For those who aren't, you have no idea what you missing!
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Summary: Wake up your concept of church history!
Review: OK, this is a historical fiction book--I know that:) But the picture it paints of initial reactions to the life of Christ and Christianity are, I believe, valid. The Robe is the story of the Jesus' death and the beginning of the Early Church as seen through the eyes of the Roman soldier who presided over the Crucifixion. As Marcellus struggles to find Truth and then deal with the Truth he has found, the reader begins to understand just how radical the claims of Christianity are. Picture yourself the wealthy, educated son of a Roman Senator. Now imagine trying to explain to your Senator father that: 1)the man whose crucifixion you oversaw came back to life, 2)you believe this though you never saw him post-humously for yourself, and 3)you are willing to give up your political ambitions to embrace his teachings and his followers! I found this book to be touching, inspiring, and something worthy of reflection. If you are skittish about books on religious topics, PLEASE do not let the subject of this work scare you. It is not preachy in the least, and in addition to being inspirational, it is a well-constructed story.
Rating: 
Summary: Good start and finish, but slow middle
Review: I loved the first 125 or so pages and the last 125 or so pages of this novel. The middle of the book was another story. This story is about a man named Marcellus, a Roman soldier, and his slave Demetrius. Marcellus is one of the Roman soldiers who assist with the crucifixion of Christ and who then wins his robe. The search by Marcellus and Demetrius for the truth about Christ had some interesting and thought provoking moments. The middle of the book was a problem for me. It was so dull as to be painful to get through at times. The middle was, in my opinion, too mechanical and lacking in feeling. I also think the early Christians were more knowledgeable and more organized than depicted in the book. At times I felt they were depicted as not really grasping what was going on. After getting through the middle, the last part of the book was great. I could not beleive how much I enjoyed the last part. It pulled the book from about a 3-star book to a 4-star book and almost to a 5-star book. I am not down on the book, overall it was well worth reading and for many the middle might be just fine.
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