The Big Fisherman

Update 2024 (Partially read a few years ago; see initial review at the end):

I made it through this time and quite enjoyed it. Maybe I was more in tune with the author's style and intent.

This and the companion book "The Robe" are to 1950s readers what the TV series "The Chosen" is to today's 21st century viewers: stories of Christ's ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection from the outside, focused on fictional characters interacting with Peter (the big fisherman) and other biblical personages.

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IMO the author contradicts the New Testament scriptural account in some places, while of course fictionalizing and embellishing the parts that are more attested.
I don't know how authentic his setting and characterizations are, but they have an show more feeling of anachronicity, which is natural to this genre.I do not kow how much of the Arabian history is accurate.

The ending is "happy" despite the tragic elements, as with Douglas's prior book "The Robe."
There are some intersections with Tribune Marcellus Lucan Gallio's story told in that book, from the crucifixion to the catacombs incidents.

However, in total, the book presents a vivid and perceptive exegisis of the gospel of Jesus
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NOTES:
A long section beginning on page 486 attempts to explain the contrast of the spiritual life with the secular world.
See also pages 518 (odd coincidences impelling various characters to come to Jerusalem for the Pentecost) and 548 (Roman Cornelius convesrses with Peter about the conflict of worldly interests and the religion of love).

Initial Review (2 stars):
Having been a child in the 1950s, the style is famiiar to me, but seems "dated" after 60-odd years.
I couldn't continue with the fictionalized and thoroughly anachronistic treatment of the NT story. Amazing how popularity depends mostly on the contemporary zeitgeist; compare Lund's series.

From Amazon author's notes: "In the twentieth century, Lloyd Cassel Douglas wrote:

I am pleased if my novels are enjoyable, but they are written more for the sake of inspiration than for pleasure."[sic] Numerous individuals recognize their desperate need for ethical and spiritual guidance but are afraid to seek it in a serious homely or didactic article. My conviction is that many of these individuals can be successfully approached through a novel, which provides the inspiration they desire in a form that is palatable to them." show less

A very captivating story of two young Arabians who end up in Judea during the time of Jesus. It definetly does not follow the Biblical account in several details but portrays the culture of the time and gives some insight into the conflicts people had over following Jesus. LKC

I appreciated his 3-D characters, although I'm unsure why he decided to alter some of the chronology and leave out or summarize certain details.

Looks at the story of Christ from the eyes of Simon/Peter the Fisherman, and from the viewpoint of an Arabian/Jewish girl and her family.

Lloyd Douglas's novels based on characters and events in the New Testament are timeless classics.

Looking to find this book.

71-'Ασχετα με το αν πιστεύεις ή θέλεις να πιστέψεις στο Χριστό, τίποτα δε κάνει το βιβλίο λιγότερο υπέροχο. Χωρίς να στέκεται υπερβολικά στα πραγματικά γεγονότα , περισσότερο περιγράφεται η επιρροή του Χριστού στους ανθρώπους συναισθηματικά και πνευματικά . Επίσης στις σχέσεις που δημιούργησε αυτή η κοινή πίστη και στις περίεργες φιλίες με την έννοια της διαφορετικότητας . Αρκετά χρόνια μετά τα συμβάντα show more θα συμφωνήσω πως αν πραγματικά υπάρχει Θεός θα περάσουν πάρα πολλά χρόνια ( εγώ προσωπικά πιστεύω ποτέ ) για να γίνουν όλοι άνθρωποι ίσοι κάτω από τη σκέπη της Βασιλείας των Ουρανών. Δε ξέρω τι πρέπει να μας απελπίζει περισσότερο το μίσος που κυριαρχεί και εμποδίζει τη συναδέλφωση και ειρήνη ή η απουσία ανθρώπων εμπνευσμένων και φωτισμένων όπως ο Πέτρος που να μεταδίδουν τη φλόγα. show less