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Barabbas: A Dream of the World's Tragedy
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1893
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About the author
Marie Corelli
429 books184 followersMarie Corelli (born Mary Mackay) was a best-selling British novelist of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, whose controversial works of the time often label her as an early advocate of the New Age movement.
In the 1890’s Marie Corelli’s novels were eagerly devoured by millions in England, America and the colonies. Her readers ranged from Queen Victoria and Gladstone, to the poorest of shop girls. In all she wrote thirty books, the majority of which were phenomenal best sellers. Despite the fact that her novels were either ignored or belittled by the critics, at the height of her success she was the best selling and most highly paid author in England.
She was the daughter of poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter Charles Mackay. Her brother was the poet Eric Mackay.
In the 1890’s Marie Corelli’s novels were eagerly devoured by millions in England, America and the colonies. Her readers ranged from Queen Victoria and Gladstone, to the poorest of shop girls. In all she wrote thirty books, the majority of which were phenomenal best sellers. Despite the fact that her novels were either ignored or belittled by the critics, at the height of her success she was the best selling and most highly paid author in England.
She was the daughter of poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter Charles Mackay. Her brother was the poet Eric Mackay.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 6, 2021
Du meine Güte, die Frau konnte schreiben ! 🥰 Ich bin noch ganz beseelt...
September 28, 2009
Marie Corelli tries something a bit different with her seventh novel, “Barabbas, A Dream of the World’s Tragedy”. Published in 1893, it is the story of the crucifixion, told (for the most part) from the perspective of Barabbas, the criminal whose life was spared while Jesus was sent to die. With her previous novels falling into two general categories, it was nice to see a different type story from her.
On the positive side, as mentioned before, it is a different type of story than what she had written before. In addition, she wisely stays away from writing from the perspective of any of the key characters, and this is especially important when dealing with Jesus as a character. She builds an interesting story, tying in Barabbas with the key characters in a believable scenario.
There are two key weaknesses to the story as well, in my opinion. I think it was a mistake to move the narrative from Barabbas at any time in the telling of the story. Given the title she chose, it would have made more sense to stick with Barabbas, or at least have all the scenes about Barabbas, which isn’t the case in this book. The other weakness is that yet again she resorts to using a mystical character, this time called Melchior, who has almost complete knowledge of all events, both which have passed and that are yet to come.
This book is preferable to some of those which came before, largely because it is a bit different, at least in many ways, than those which came before it. It is a nice historical fiction, but at the same time it could have been done better, and so I can’t go above three stars for the overall work.
On the positive side, as mentioned before, it is a different type of story than what she had written before. In addition, she wisely stays away from writing from the perspective of any of the key characters, and this is especially important when dealing with Jesus as a character. She builds an interesting story, tying in Barabbas with the key characters in a believable scenario.
There are two key weaknesses to the story as well, in my opinion. I think it was a mistake to move the narrative from Barabbas at any time in the telling of the story. Given the title she chose, it would have made more sense to stick with Barabbas, or at least have all the scenes about Barabbas, which isn’t the case in this book. The other weakness is that yet again she resorts to using a mystical character, this time called Melchior, who has almost complete knowledge of all events, both which have passed and that are yet to come.
This book is preferable to some of those which came before, largely because it is a bit different, at least in many ways, than those which came before it. It is a nice historical fiction, but at the same time it could have been done better, and so I can’t go above three stars for the overall work.
December 4, 2012
This book was definitely going to be the test of my new found Marie Corelli Love. I wasn't really sure I wanted to read a book about the death and resurection of Christ, but as it was listed as the first part of the trilogy that "Sorrows of Satan" was in I thought I should read it first. It started really well, Barabbas in his cell in prison facing death. Then the trial of Jesus continued and it dragged a bit, and was just a bit too close to the gospel to be that interesting. But then 100 pages in the women characters arrived and the book became great. It was like a melodramatic gothic retelling of the death and resurrection. It was almost Shakespearean in it's tragedy, and young beautiful women going totally mad. I loved the way she developed the minor "evil" characters of Barabas and Judas and made them sympathetic. The women she added Judith, Judas' sister and Pontius Pilate's wife were fantastic! Even Mary Magdalen had some really great dialogues. There was a definite commentary on the sexism in the Bible and in Jewish culture. The scenes at the cruxifiction when the storm came were very atmospheric. I was worried that the resurrection would be over the top, but it wasn't too bad, in fact Jesus came across as barely in the book, just a beautiful figure on the edge. For a book about Christ I enjoyed this more than I probably should. It was like a beautiful old painting but with so much more characterisation and gorgeous language. Now I am really looking forward to her book about Satan.
July 21, 2023
Barabbas by Marie Corelli (Mary Mackay) written in 1893.
This is my third book on Barabbas that I have read and was hoping it would be the best. But, alas, I can only give this book 3-Stars but really a C-minus. Many reasons abound for this poor rating.
1) Her time-lines for the crucifixion of Christ are all wrong and certainly not Biblical. Not Biblical can be said for large parts of the book even though she does use many Scripture passages throughout it.
2) Her mystification of Christ, Mary and others have no basis in the Bible and must come from her education while in the Convent because they are not Scriptural.
3) Her incorrect portrayal of Judas as being a good man is almost sinful since Christ in John 17:12 KJV says “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” The title “son of perdition” is not a flattering one since Paul says in 2 Thessalonions 2:3-4 KJV “Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Therefore, “man of sin” and “son of perdition” are linked with the Antichrist. Note: Judas was lost. Not saved, not redeemed and did not go to heaven!
4) Her characterizations of Peter are likewise unforgivable. Peter certainly was not perfect but she like Pär Lagerkvist seems to take pleasure in belittling Christians.
This is my third book on Barabbas that I have read and was hoping it would be the best. But, alas, I can only give this book 3-Stars but really a C-minus. Many reasons abound for this poor rating.
1) Her time-lines for the crucifixion of Christ are all wrong and certainly not Biblical. Not Biblical can be said for large parts of the book even though she does use many Scripture passages throughout it.
2) Her mystification of Christ, Mary and others have no basis in the Bible and must come from her education while in the Convent because they are not Scriptural.
3) Her incorrect portrayal of Judas as being a good man is almost sinful since Christ in John 17:12 KJV says “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” The title “son of perdition” is not a flattering one since Paul says in 2 Thessalonions 2:3-4 KJV “Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Therefore, “man of sin” and “son of perdition” are linked with the Antichrist. Note: Judas was lost. Not saved, not redeemed and did not go to heaven!
4) Her characterizations of Peter are likewise unforgivable. Peter certainly was not perfect but she like Pär Lagerkvist seems to take pleasure in belittling Christians.
Read
November 9, 2019For those who is interested there is a movie called "Barabbas" (2019) by Evgeny Emelin based on the book by Marie Corelli. The was published in pre-revolutionary Russia and had a big success at the time. The film will be shown at Institute Francais at Cinema Lumiere in London 01 Dec 2019. I watched the movie first and really liked it for cinematography and very interesting dialogues even though I am not religious at all. I would like to read the book now.
September 4, 2010
This is a hard book for me to read but I am determined to finish what I started... the language is immature and the writing style is so poor as to be almost humorous at times (when not at all intended). I don't know what I am missing- my husband and mother-in-law love this book, but I am not much caring for it. Worst of all the theology behind the writing is terrible... more to come later, perhaps...
I just finished it and have not changed my mind from the above. But, here is one quote which I liked: "Stained with the crime of murder, branded as a thief, and full of a thousand follies and germinating sins, what had he [Barabbas] done that he should merit all the pity and pardon that flashed upon him like a glory from the tender glance of the [just-]risen Christ! What had he done?-why, nothing in truth,-he could, he would do nothing worthy. Only a thought of love had been in his dark soul for the sorrows of the Man Crucified,-and he had shed tears for the sufferings of the holiest Innocence that ever was maligned by human malice; he had longed to understand, to know, to serve this splendid Ideal of the Ages,-and-this was all. Yet this sufficed to bring the glorious Master to his side..."
I just finished it and have not changed my mind from the above. But, here is one quote which I liked: "Stained with the crime of murder, branded as a thief, and full of a thousand follies and germinating sins, what had he [Barabbas] done that he should merit all the pity and pardon that flashed upon him like a glory from the tender glance of the [just-]risen Christ! What had he done?-why, nothing in truth,-he could, he would do nothing worthy. Only a thought of love had been in his dark soul for the sorrows of the Man Crucified,-and he had shed tears for the sufferings of the holiest Innocence that ever was maligned by human malice; he had longed to understand, to know, to serve this splendid Ideal of the Ages,-and-this was all. Yet this sufficed to bring the glorious Master to his side..."
February 17, 2022
Cartea este departe de ceea ce-am așteptat eu de la ea. Speram într-o nouă versiune, bine documentată, din punctul de vedere al lui Barabas, asupra evenimentelor din preajma răstignirii lui Cristos.
Nu știu cum de mi-a scăpat amănuntul că este ficțiune istorică, în fapt o poveste imaginată de către autoare asupra schimbării omului atunci când este atins de bunătatea divină.
Nu contest, în situații extreme, te poți lăsa convins sau influențat de nenumărate lucruri, doar să mai poți prelungi cu o amărâtă de zi amărâta ta viață. Am citit pe undeva că în timpul vieții risipim ani și la sfârșit cerșim clipe. Probabil așa este și recunoștința atunci când le și primim este incomensurabilă.
Pe mine una nu m-a convins însă transformarea aceasta radicală a lui Barabas și nu cred în schimbările petrecute din senin. Nu cred in multe dintre lucrurile pe care se bazează povestea și sunt convinsă că salvarea se găsește în noi, atâta timp cât ne-o și dorim. Nu în atingerea cuiva sau ceva.
Clar nu a fost lectura potrivită pentru mine, dar cu siguranță merge ca unsă pentru cei care au rezonat cu Viața lui Isus de Papini.
February 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I came to Marie Corelli via a free copy of The Sorrows of Satan, and have read more of hers since. Her descriptions are fabulous, I find it easy to imagine myself in the place she describes.
In this book she brings to life the person of Barabbas, who was set free in place of Christ. She manages to describe Barabbas sympathetically, which is a viewpoint not often taken. She also introduces some women of the time, Judith, Mary, Ruth, and the Magdalen - and makes their stories interesting and believable.
I thought the end of Barabbas was wonderful.
In this book she brings to life the person of Barabbas, who was set free in place of Christ. She manages to describe Barabbas sympathetically, which is a viewpoint not often taken. She also introduces some women of the time, Judith, Mary, Ruth, and the Magdalen - and makes their stories interesting and believable.
I thought the end of Barabbas was wonderful.
August 6, 2014
This is one of the best books I have read in my life. It is very insightful, revealing and informative. Marie is one of the best narrators who is able to get readers to involve themselves fully and "addicted" to her book. Though most of the things recorded aren't directly in Bible, the story told about Barabbas, Judas, Jesus are so believable to doubt. It is a great book.
December 6, 2014
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I had no intension of reading it when I pulled it off my shelf to put up on ebay (I am trying to clear my shelfs of books collected over many years and have never read). I read the first chapter and continued reading.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews