The Robe

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful History
Review: I happen to love Jesus and I am enthralled with history and reading classics. All three of these fit "The Robe". This book was a bit long to get through, but the story was beautifully written and adds a dimension to the life of Christ that we do not read about in the Bible. I found it to be a wonderful companion to the Truth and highly recommend it to anyone looking for more depth and rounding out of their understanding of Who Jesus is. I also really liked the fact that what the protagonist goes through in the story, around 2000 years ago, can be applied to how we respond to Christ yet today. Searching? Take a bit more time than you usually spend on a book and find "The Robe".

Rating:
Summary: a compelling journey
Review: This novel, "The Robe," was recommended to me by several classmates and I will now recommend it to others. The compelling story of a young tribune Marcellus and the obstacles he encounters are a great read for a Christian like me. His powerful journey of faith and seeking inner peace can be compared to the hardships and journeys that we conquer today.

Douglas'story has vivid images that help to recreate the story of Jesus. The way he wrote this story was an interesting approach to help us better understand and learn about the life of Jesus. It is different approach unlike most accounts of Jesus because it is told in the point of view of a convert. Marcellus' Roman upbringing and skeptical father further this interesting plot because he would be more unlikely a convert. "The Robe" also displays the idea of human cruelty and injustice. When the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garment, they have no sympathy for another human life. Marcellus' guilty feeling when he puts on the robe also show human frailty and conscience.

Minor characters such as Demetrius, Marcellus' loyal slave, and Diana are also important to the book. They go through personal changes as Marcellus did and eventually convert to Christianity. Demetrius is immediately attracted to the stories of "the miracle worker" while Diana is a bit more skeptical. In the end though they all give their lives for a greater existance in heaven.

This book shows God's willingness to forgive and the power of faith. This insightful and religiously enlightning book is truely a work of art. I recommend this book to anyone, any religion or race. It is a story of life's journies and can be enjoyed by all.

Rating:
Summary: Christianity inspires an atheist
Review: The Robe inspired me despite my nonreligious perspective. There are many books that are so riveting one cannot put them down, but a certain chapter featured in this novel will stick with me forever. I speak of the chapter in which a brand new Christian works in a melon field whilst hiding from the authorities. The other workers know nothing about him and he does not preach to them and yet, as he manifests God's love in his actions, he has an amazing influence on an entire community. This chapter alone has engraved The Robe upon my top ten list permanently.

Rating:
Summary: The Robe
Review: For me, this is the most beautiful story ever written in support of the Bible. It tells the story of Our Lord from so many different angles and points of view. The film is wonderful and very true to the book. I own both book and film and re-review them often. This tells you what it really meant to be a Cristian and how much courage it took to declare that fact under Roman Law. It is a story you will never forget.

Rating:
Summary: Thank You Mr. Douglas
Review: I bought this book about 2 years ago. I finally read it the week before Easter 2001. I could not put it down. I have never ever been so moved by anything. After I read it, I felt such an overwhelming peace. I'm Catholic (Roman) by religion, but, my feeling after reading this book went far beyond that. This book should be a staple in every household and like the bible should be read to and with the family. As for the movie. I would say watching it after reading the book was like pulling teeth, except that I had that done in february and the movie was a far worse experience.

Rating:
Summary: Face to face with Him
Review: This book brought me to tears many times. It was so real! I enjoyed veiwing events through the eyes of people in that era. As a Christian, it brought me courage and strength! Seeing Jesus and His ministry as if I were right there as it happened. Amazing, powerful. It was a beautiful story with a well wrapped ending. Get a copy and read it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Masterful, often moved me to tears!
Review: Raised a Christian, I am ashamed to say that I avoided this book since I thought I knew all about the story of Easter. Perhaps, we all have a general knowledge of the days preceeding the crucifixtion of Christ. Douglas has the gift of telling a well known story from a completely different stand point. Indeed, this novel is so well told that it oftened moved me to tears as the main characters dealt with their own guilt and humanity.

We catch a glimps of Jesus on the eve of the passover through the eyes of a young Roman tribune, Marcellus and his faithful slave, Demetrius. Each man begins with good strong foundations for morality but are ignorant concerning cultures other than their own. They soon find themselves embroiled in the crucifixtion and each man is changed forever afterward.

This novel gives us a great insight into the life and times of the Roman Empire just before the fall. It is not a preachy tale designed to convert the reader, but instead offers up the mysteries surrounding Christ as what they are: mysteries to be trusted in by faith. Not everyone who hears of Christ in this book becomes a Christian. And not every Christian becomes better than his neighbor. There is simply a longing for a better world.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Roman times and of course to any Christian reader. The book read before the Easter season, only helped me attain a better and deeper understanding of my beliefs.

Rating:
Summary: The Robe
Review: This book is so well written that I couldnt put it down, reading for hours into the night. The characters became so real to me that when I read the last page, I felt sorry it was all over, like I was leaving people I knew. What an interesting perspective on the lives of people in Christ's time, those who believed and those who didnt. I have recommended this book over and over and am getting ready to read it again. The movie was nothing like the book so dont let it discourage you from reading THE ROBE, unedited and real.

Rating:
Summary: A spiritual book for everyone.
Review: I am definitely not Christian, but a lover of good novels, and this one is my favourite. It helped me understand what was going on in the world during the time of Jesus and how he touched people's lives. What I liked about it was it was written from the Roman's point of view, and about the man who was chosen to stand guard at Jesus's cross. For me it was the quest for truth in the story that really moved me. I strongly suggest the movie too, though it is different from the book.

Rating:
Summary: A very well-written book
Review: If you have seen the movie, but haven't read the book, you haven't seen anything yet.

This book is both surprising and refreshing in its accuracy, depth of character development, and plot layering. You will find the book both inspiring and clever. Unlike other books of this genre, it is written very intelligently and doesn't pander to its audience.

I especially would recommend it as a gift to give non-Christians. They will learn a lot of the roots of Christianity and possibly gain a whole new appreciation for our Lord's sacrifice and the gift of redemption.