Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ - Lew Wallace

Published by The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.: Australia and NZ, 1992. 
First published 1880.

An epic classic taking place during the life of Christ, Ben-Hur is a very thoroughly researched and interesting tale of revenge and redemption.

But it is also very slow. The first 14 chapters tell the story of the Wise Men seeking the birthplace of Jesus, and this all happens before Ben-Hur himself is even born!

When we finally meet Judah Ben-Hur, we learn he is the friend of a Roman who - from the outset - treats him with distain. The fact that Ben-Hur is later betrayed by this friend is not at all a shock to the reader. And then, the revenge tale (which is the focus of the movie versions) is wrapped up relatively early in the plot (although at the same slow pace as the rest of the book), allowing for Ben-Hur to return home and find out what has happened to his mother and sister.

Honestly, I would prefer watching the classic movie version. I haven't seen the more recent one, so can't comment on that, but even though the Charlton Heston version is long, it will feel like a breeze compared to the book.

Completed 31 March 2019.

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