Judas My Brother

by Frank Yerby

The sinner and the savior, His name was Nathan-bar-Yehudah. He was born to wealth, power, worldliness. Yet strangely enough, his features closely resembled a youth who was his total opposite-a poverty-stricken carpenter's son from Galilee. and though Nathan chose the path of physical adventure and sensual excess, his life was intertwined with that of the man called Jesus of Nazareth- until their moment of confrontation and truth in the shadow of the cross... Frank Yerby's most magnificent novel- Judas, My brother "brings alive the great, sprawling, barbaric world of the first century...a rousing novel... a great story-teller".

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Religion, Historical

542 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Born in Augusta, Georgia to Rufus Garvin Yerby, an African American, and Wilhelmina Smythe, who was caucasian. He graduated from Haines Normal Institute in Augusta and graduated from Paine College in 1937. Thereafter, Yerby enrolled in Fisk University where he received his Master's degree in 1938. In 1939, Yerby entered the University of Chicago to work toward his doctorate but later left the university. Yerby taught briefly at Florida A&M University and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Frank Yerby rose to fame as a writer of popular fiction tinged with a distinctive southern flavor. In 1946 he became the first African-American to publish a best-seller with The Foxes of Harrow. That same year he also became the first African-American to have a book purchased for screen adaptation by a Hollywood studio, when 20th Century Fox optioned Foxes. Ultimately the book became a 1947 Oscar-nominated film starring Rex Harrison and Maureen O'Hara. Yerby was originally noted for writing romance novels set in the Antebellum South. In mid-century he embarked on a series of best-selling novels ranging from the Athens of Pericles to Europe in the Dark Ages. Yerby took considerable pains in research, and often footnoted his historical novels. In all he wrote 33 novels.

Reviews

[Annora Nin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, I don't even know what to say, I was so impressed by it, so impressed by the amount of meticulous research that went into it, by the depth of it, so drawn in by this story, you could almost feel you were actually there living in the times of Jesus. I also have never read a work of fiction that had me flipping to the back pages for the footnotes so frequently. The research really was pain-staking on this book, thoroughly thorough. And if you don't believe everything you read in the Bible, don't worry, the author didn't either. This wasn't a book of blind acceptance of The Good Book. It was a book written from a rational, questioning mind interested in the facts of the story, and that made it all the more interesting.

A friend gave me his old copy and I'm afraid by the time I finished it the binding was falling apart to the extent that I was holding the book together as I was reading it. Because it was falling apart I wasn't interested in keeping it so after I finished it this afternoon I left it on the bus, where I hope someone else will pick it up and enjoy it as much as I did. That's not to say I am not interested in never reading it again. I'm very much interested in finding another copy or two of the book that are in better shape than the one I let go of, one for me to keep and read again (digging more into the references in the footnotes) and another copy to loan to friends. That's how much I loved this book. I had never heard of Frank Yerby before this book fell into my hands. I am most interested in him now and will be keeping my eyes open for more of his books.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most intriguing and fascinating books I have ever read. A new slant on an old theme - the story of Jesus - told by a friend and contemporary who was born into wealthy circumstances, descends into the depraved Roman society, and eventually through his contact with Jesus and his family, is restored to repectability. Yerby, probably the first author of coloured origin to achieve recognition in the USA, is gifted with remarkable descriptive ability, transporting the reader into the homes of not only Jesus, but Pontius Pilate and his wife, Claudia, and even the Essenes in a totally believable way without making the visits seem contrived. This book may not be to the taste of all, in particular devotees of Mary Magdalene, and it may stretch the imagination in the way that Yerby takes liberties with the universally accepted story, but it makes for excellent reading as a fiction intermingled with factual characters.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Yerby’s bigger novels. Once again, we have a hero, or protagonist, who is extremely capable, and needs to be, for all that happens to him. And who bears an uncanny resemblance to one Yeshu’a ha Notzri, that is, Jesus of Nazareth. This is Yerby’s take on the Christian mythology, complete with thirty-eight pages with 301 endnotes. He even goes so far as to warn the reader not to buy this novel if he is emotionally dependent upon religious dogma, which seems a bit much in 2017—but perhaps not.

So here is the story of Jesus presented as if it were fact, with the miracles explained and the Gospels pretty much debunked or explained in the footnotes. Finally, as the author hoped, it’s a “rattling good tale.” The conclusion seemed a far stretch to me, perhaps not to others. It’s entertaining, educational, and perhaps will be upsetting to the devout. Enjoy the ride.

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! This book will challenge all you thought you knew about the New Testament.

I've always had problems with the New Testament myself --preferring the Old Testament because it has more actual history written into it.

While I believe that the prophet Jesus existed, I don't like what we've made of him. He has usurped God and has caused too much bloodshed in his name. I don't think that was ever his intention, but that's where we are.

I hope the day never comes that America becomes a theocracy based on a man who lived and died just a few millennia ago.

[Pete Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty years before Dawkins penned his popular science opus attacking religion this book began my journey away from sincere traditional Catholicism to atheism, though I'm sure that was never the intention of Yerby.

First and foremost this is a cracking good sword and sandals narrative, but it is made all the richer by the footnotes that are used to justify Yerby's version of the gospels stories as ones that are likely to be much more truthful than those presented by the gospel writers. Strangely it may prove satisfying for those who need a more convincing foundation for their faith as well as for those who have doubts about the origins of Christianity as presented by conventional Christians.

It's also just a damned good, well-crafted story.

[Clare Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago - like 30+ years ago.
I remember it having some brilliant explanations of Jesus' "miracles".

Let's see what I think of it this time round, and 30+ years later..............

Not as mind blowing as the first time round, but still held my interest (though it was a bit on the long side). A good 2nd read, but wouldn't read it a 3rd time.

[Richie Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book but hard to read considering there are Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin words and expressions throughout. Referring to the footnotes is a must.
However, it is well researched and the characters and storyline is well developed.

[Barry Jacobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like so many of the novel written in this period, the prose are a bit dated. Not quite "purple prose", but still not what younger readers are used to.
That said, Yerby could write a good story.
He thrusts his hero into a historical era, surrounds him with historical characters, and tells their stoy through his eyes, weaving in his own tale.
In "Judas My Brother", the protagonist, Nathan, lives and loves in tthe time of Christ. He meets and becomes a friend of Yeshua bar Yosef: Jesus of Nazareth. Who saves his life and, ultimately, teaches him the meaning of faith. But he never becomes a follower, and is often a critic. Like another fictional character, Ben Hur, Nathan becomes a Roman gladiator, champion, lover and warrior.
Distilled down to its essence, this is a full-bodied (dare I say "lusty"?), thought provoking story of Jesus, 1st century Judea and the Roman Empire, and a hero who straddled both worlds and is well placed to tell Christ's story in a way never before told.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very difficult book for me to review. Of course it was well written which is always expected of this author, BUT I never was drawn into it, did not enjoy reading it. Could be because of my low opinion of the bible and anything religious, I am certain that it deserves 5 stars by 99% of the readers but not me.

[Jason Voorhees · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story, told by a master. Thoroughly researched and well worth reading for anyone who likes historical fiction.

[Jill M Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and well documented fictional diary of a first century relative of Jesus of Nazareth

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much of it was interesting, but generally I did not like it. It was very hard to wade through, and I can't think of anyone to whom I would recomment it.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have read most of Yerby's novels (some so long ago that I have forgotten the plots) this is his work that most influenced my own humble writings. It is the story of Jesus's 13th disciple. In Judas my Brother, as in all his novels, Yerby seeks to tell an entertaining story and to educate his readers. As in his Greek, Roman, Arabic, and southern plantation adventures, he tries to demythologize the events of the times. In this story, he attempts to demythologize the events surrounding the life of Jesus.

Since I can't find my copy right now, I quote from Wikipedia who quotes from the cover of the book:

The author warns "those emotionally dependent upon the Christian Religion" to read no further. The sleeve notes continue:

"This novel touches on only two issues which, in a certain sense, might be called controversial: whether any man truly has the right to believe fanciful and childish nonsense; and whether any organization has the right to impose, by almost imperial fiat, belief in things that simply are not so. To me, irrationality is dangerous; perhaps the most dangerous force stalking through the world today. This novel, then, is one man's plea for an ecumenicism broad enough to include reasonable men; and his effort to defend his modest intellect from intolerable insult."

I suppose this is where I lifted the phrase that appears on the "About the Author" page in my novels, where I describe myself as "a Humanist who believes that irrationality is the most dangerous force in the universe."

[Jim Vuksic · Rating 3 out of 5]

What fascinated me most about this story was the fact that anyone, even Frank Yerby, who was known for his amazing, out-of-the-box thinking, could come up with such a premise as the one depicted in "Judas, My Brother".

It is too difficult to relate very much about this novel without unintentionally letting s spoiler or two, or three slip; so I won't.

I believe that open-minded, pragmatic readers will be enthralled by and thoroughly enjoy this imaginative portrayal of the life and times of Joshua, the Nazarene, better known by the unique name given him by religious people decades after his death: Jesus of Nazareth, and the Roman aristocrat who, for some strange reason, looks an awful lot like the poor, humble carpenter's son.

Conservative, born-again Christians - not so much.

[Cody VC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it about 85 pages in and had to stop; I tend to enjoy pulpy novels of the '60s and '70s but this was just ridiculous. Helvetia was singularly annoying--all she did was cry and be ~innocent~ (which seems highly unlikely, historically speaking)--and Nathan is unbelievably whiny, Jesus Christ. I mean, The Persian Boy was better than this.

Of course the gender/sexual politics in this book are totally fucked, but I probably could have put up with that if there had been less harping on Helvetia's ~innocence~ and if the pacing had been better. Too bad; it was an interesting premise.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring at some moments. The most interesting character and story of course are Yeshua bar joesph . Now of course the author was an atheist and it shows. Putting the modern atheist into the very religious ancient Palastine. The things I find beautiful though are even he wanted to believe in Yeshua, he hopped Yeshua was who he said he was. Yeshuas death in the novel is extremely heartbreaking and the ending leaves you empty. Which I find sad that the author truly felt that way . But again that was the point of the book. As a Christian myself, my faith wasn’t changed and like last temptation of Christ I respect it as a work of historical fiction.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus from a very different perspective. I don't know if it's accurate, (example, Yerby's take on 'Render unto Caesar') although some of it seems to be (such as Yerby's characterization of Pilate), but it gives one new ground to stand on to contemplate a story central to Western thought, and does it with a vastly greater realism then, say, Mel Gibson's torture-trash film.

Love it or hate it, I think this is a must-read for anyone, especially if you're a fan of The Passion of the Christ.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a 13 year old who found it in a box kept aside for charity giveaways. I was mesmerized, shocked and shaken to the bones by the storyline and just the possibility of it all..having grown up in a strict Christian home. A wonderfully told tale describing love, treachery, anger and helplessness making one question the very essence of belief. Recently had the opportunity to read it again and was not disappointed

[Morris Nelms · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book about the times written by a man who does not believe Jesus is the Messiah. I would still recommend it because he did a lot of research and the writing is quite good. Some of his arguments with the gospels are far fetched, and his alternative explanation of the resurrection and the missing body is more implausible than the gospels' explanation.

[Jenny Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was life altering. Probably one of my top 5 books ever!! It certainly gives the reader another point of view of Jesus's life and times! The characters were full and relatable. The time period was authentic.

[Carol Rose Stark Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical fiction describing the times of Christ

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. Yerby's alternate explanations for the miracles were quite intriguing.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea behind this book is that Nathan is of similar age of Yeshu'a ha Notzri, lived in the same area, and that their lives were 'intertwined' (according to the back cover). However, they hardly meet in the first half of the book. The actual intertwining of their lives only starts in Book 4, on page 224 of my copy. If you're interested in that part, where Yeshu'a is about 30 years of age, you can skip the first half of the book. That first half is an interesting read, but perhaps not when you're looking forward to the intertwining to start.

The book is well-researched, with ~35 pages of footnotes with background information and references, which is extraordernary for a novel. While it is unlikely that many of the events described in this story are historically correct, they seem to be more likely than many other descriptions of Yeshu'a's life I have read.