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Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
Tugged this way and that by fate's indifferent hand, Claudia's life is adrift--until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When they move to the troublesome territory of Judea, she does what she has always done: makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find hope in the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?
Let this epic story whisk you through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as you follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts, but whose story, as told by Diana Wallis Taylor, is one worthy of legend.
Let this epic story whisk you through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as you follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts, but whose story, as told by Diana Wallis Taylor, is one worthy of legend.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
112 people are currently reading
2035 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wallis Taylor
22 books224 followersDiana Wallis Taylor is the author of the novels Journey to the Well and Martha and lives in California. Find out more at www.dianawallistaylor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
October 4, 2021
A very interesting story! I had never given second thought to the life of Pilatus or his wife, and this book does a marvelous job weaving a backstory for these intriguing characters. It is so rich with history and research, you actually feel part of the roman turmoil and the increasing inestability of the jewish community of that era. This story maps the faith journey of a woman that should't have been worthy of salvation, but was made worthy by the precious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story of political drama, arranged marriages, intrigue and faith.
Even though the book is ''clean'' as in no sex scenes or very explicit violence, there is one sentence long mentions of characters being intimate. There is also a one sentence (non explicit at all) of someone telling someone that a child had been raped.
There is also mentions of suicide, which was the roman way of bringing their family honor (non explicit), infidelity (just mention of the word), and death. Honestly, this bib fic book has been much less descriptive than other bib fic books out there. :)
I'm giving it three stars because it was kinda slow after the mid point...Not less interesting but just slow and it dragad the story quite a bit.
Even though the book is ''clean'' as in no sex scenes or very explicit violence, there is one sentence long mentions of characters being intimate. There is also a one sentence (non explicit at all) of someone telling someone that a child had been raped.
There is also mentions of suicide, which was the roman way of bringing their family honor (non explicit), infidelity (just mention of the word), and death. Honestly, this bib fic book has been much less descriptive than other bib fic books out there. :)
I'm giving it three stars because it was kinda slow after the mid point...Not less interesting but just slow and it dragad the story quite a bit.
June 12, 2021
Wonderful Biblical fiction about a little-known character. The author clearly did her research, as she was able to “flesh out” the story of Pontius Pilate’s wife, with many fascinating details.
September 27, 2013
When I opened the cover of "Claudia", I was expecting to read a well-written book. I wasn't, however, expecting to read a book that held me so securely in its grasp from start to finish! Put quite simply, Diana Wallis Taylor has produced a riveting story imagining the details of the life of the wife of Pontius Pilate. To be honest, I've never given her life and her history a lot of thought. Yet, when I thought about why God chose to include her in the Bible, and the dream that he gave her that she shared with Pilate, I realized that she is a fascinating enigma. Taylor has done a fantastic job at staying true to the Biblical account and the facts of history to create a plausible scenario of just who Claudia might have been. I greatly enjoyed the wonderful characters Taylor has created, along with the horrible characters who populate Rome or Jerusalem as well! The author has succeeded at bringing history to life, with action-packed scenes and intrigue and drama galore! I have talked to many people who think that "Biblical fiction" is a genre they want to steer clear from, that such books are boring and predictable. I challenge such people to pick up "Claudia", and see if they are able to put the book down!
I highly recommend this historical fiction book, and heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction, and also to those who normal don't. Not only does the story entertain, but it certainly gives a lot of food for thought as well! 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I highly recommend this historical fiction book, and heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction, and also to those who normal don't. Not only does the story entertain, but it certainly gives a lot of food for thought as well! 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
July 2, 2013
Claudia's life didn't start easily. She's the illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, and she spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, Julia's ex-husband who hates her, takes the throne, Claudia is ripped away from her family to be brought up in the palace in Rome. Her life is spent feeling adrift - until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife.
Claudia's life finally has meaning. She finally has her anchor she needs, but everything he's ever known and wants is tested when Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea. She does what she's always done and tries to make the best of it, but unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire. Riots begin and the stubborn people refuse to give in, threatening Pilate's job before it's even begun.
Claudia soon finds herself embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Little does she know the impact her husband will have on the world as we know it and what his part in it means for our salvation. Claudia becomes interested in this man who brings peace, love, and healing to anyone who comes near and she can't help but see what's different between him and the prophets for her gods.
Will Claudia find peace and healing in the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about or will she forever think him a false prophet? Will Claudia become a Christian because of her husband or will bitterness be too deeply rooted? Will her husband understand her fascination with Jesus or will he think that she's fallen off the wagon?
----------------------------------
Having read Diana Wallis Taylor's last book about Mary Magdalene, I was excited to get the opportunity to read another book by her, particularly since it is about the wife of Pontius Pilate. However this book was a bit of a disappointment for me because of the creative liberties she had to take in order to make a story out of a woman who was mentioned once, possibly twice, in the Bible. I also think that some of the liberties she took were a bit unrealistic an unlikely, which made this story that much harder to read.
The best part of this book was the tiny bit about Judea and Jesus. The descriptions the author uses to describe Judea really allows you a vivid picture of what it looked like back then and how gorgeous it was. I also really liked the ability to have a different look a Jesus and his miracles. The outside looking in view was unique and something that I actually really enjoyed.
Because Claudia is only really mentioned on in Scripture, the author had very little to work with as far as biblical and even historical accounts, thus forcing her make most of it up. The author is banking on the fact that the Claudia mentioned in 2 Timothy is the same Claudia as Pontius Pilate's wife. Personally I have my doubts that Claudia was saved by the acts of Jesus, but I hope that she was and would love for that to be true.
I also think the story kind of lost its focus closer to the end. It started out strong but after the death of Jesus the story slowly starts to go downhill. Then, when the story has only a few chapters left, it spirals out of control like a airplane plummeting to earth. It went from plausible to unbelievable and from has focus to "I have no idea where this story is going". Even though I appreciate the author's attempt to lighten up the story, I wish she would've left it a dismal ending like I assumed it would have. I think that some of you will love this book and I appreciated the new perspective it gave me, but this book just wasn't for me and was only a disappointment.
I loved this author's story about Mary Magdalene and wanted to like this story about Claudia, but I felt that this story was abut of a stretch. However it was inspirational and showed a different side to Jesus' ministry than I'm used to seeing. I still plan on reading more from this author, but I hope next time she picks a little less controversial and iffy topic.
Overall, not my style and I find most of it hard to believe but some of you will probably like it. I think people who like books loosely based off people will like this one. I think this book is best left to adults because of so adult content, for Christian fiction, and because this book needs some good biblical discernment. Overall, I give this book a two and a half out of five.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
September 8, 2013
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
I think I might have liked Diana Wallis Taylor's Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate if I favored Christian theme over historic detail, but at the end of the day I'm just not that kind of reader.
When I picked up this piece, I wanted to be transported into this time and place, to explore the intense conflict of human emotions that might have characterized this chapter of this woman's life, to see this particular story from a nontraditional point of view, but sadly, not one of these desires was fulfilled during my reading of Taylor's work.
Beginning to end I felt the author held back, never giving me enough detail to really picture Claudia's Jerusalem. The city is a dull and lifeless backdrop, the narrative never allowing the reader a real understanding of the city's complex energy and rhythms.
More disappointing though was the bland personality and passive nature of the story's heroine. Claudia perpetually goes through the motions, riding the waves rather than taking control and paddling in any given direction. She falls into her marriage as she falls into her faith and forgive me my opinion, but neither portrayal left me particularly convinced of her sincere devotion to either.
Perhaps I've been spoiled by the authentic portrayal of human emotion in Rebecca Kanner's Sinners and the Sea or the multifaceted world inhabited by Orson Card Card's Women of Genesis, but Taylor's work left me bored and uninspired.
I think I might have liked Diana Wallis Taylor's Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate if I favored Christian theme over historic detail, but at the end of the day I'm just not that kind of reader.
When I picked up this piece, I wanted to be transported into this time and place, to explore the intense conflict of human emotions that might have characterized this chapter of this woman's life, to see this particular story from a nontraditional point of view, but sadly, not one of these desires was fulfilled during my reading of Taylor's work.
Beginning to end I felt the author held back, never giving me enough detail to really picture Claudia's Jerusalem. The city is a dull and lifeless backdrop, the narrative never allowing the reader a real understanding of the city's complex energy and rhythms.
More disappointing though was the bland personality and passive nature of the story's heroine. Claudia perpetually goes through the motions, riding the waves rather than taking control and paddling in any given direction. She falls into her marriage as she falls into her faith and forgive me my opinion, but neither portrayal left me particularly convinced of her sincere devotion to either.
Perhaps I've been spoiled by the authentic portrayal of human emotion in Rebecca Kanner's Sinners and the Sea or the multifaceted world inhabited by Orson Card Card's Women of Genesis, but Taylor's work left me bored and uninspired.
June 25, 2013
Wonderful story! I am a huge fan of Biblical fiction regardless. If it's emotionally evocative and has scenes from the scriptures in it, I love it even more. This is probably Taylor's best book. I used to think it was Journey to the Well, but I think this book tops even that one. I love reading books about ancient Rome. Getting an up-close look at the Romans during that time is always fascinating to me. The emperors of the day were corrupt and self-serving. I can only imagine what being a woman during that time period would be like. Goodness, it would be a huge bummer to have no say in your life.
I appreciated how the author made Claudia and Lucius's story a love match. Yes, it was an arranged marriage, but they were both pleasantly surprised when they met. I loved how that all played out. There was a strong side to Pilate, and a side that was tender and loving. The sad part came when he saw himself as a defeated man. I felt bad for Claudia. She did what she could to support him as a loving wife should. The ending had a nice love twist to it. I appreciated that a lot, so the story didn't end on a sad note. I was happy for Claudia and her son.
Without posting a spoiler, I'll just tell you that a number of times this book brought tears to my eyes because some of the scenes were so well-written I forgot I was reading a book. I really, really loved it. Therefore, it's making my favorite fiction list for 2013.
I appreciated how the author made Claudia and Lucius's story a love match. Yes, it was an arranged marriage, but they were both pleasantly surprised when they met. I loved how that all played out. There was a strong side to Pilate, and a side that was tender and loving. The sad part came when he saw himself as a defeated man. I felt bad for Claudia. She did what she could to support him as a loving wife should. The ending had a nice love twist to it. I appreciated that a lot, so the story didn't end on a sad note. I was happy for Claudia and her son.
Without posting a spoiler, I'll just tell you that a number of times this book brought tears to my eyes because some of the scenes were so well-written I forgot I was reading a book. I really, really loved it. Therefore, it's making my favorite fiction list for 2013.
August 16, 2021
This is a great story about Claudia, who was the wife of Pontius Pilate. It's the first book I have ever read about her and the storyline was very well researched by the author. I learnt alot about the Roman culture and society at large from this book. Most of the chapters are short so it's very reader friendly and the story flows along nicely. A great Biblical Narrative. Of course this book is fictional but it is a very good read.
May 9, 2020
Very inspiring book filled with anticipation, sorrow and faith. This version of Claudia's story was heart-wrenching and filled me with the Holy Spirit. The addition of her son being healed by Christ was absolutly amazing and I loved the ending. The only incomplete aspect of the story was the question of the main character's father.
June 29, 2013
I enjoyed Diana's version of Mary Magdalene and I have not read a story for Claudia before, so I knew that I would find this one interesting! Whenever I have come across Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilot it was always a glance. She was hardly ever the topic of conversation except maybe one day in a Sunday school or Bible study class when we discussed how she knew about Jesus and where her visions/dreams came from... other than the obvious divine inspiration, what was the inspiration. She's always been a character I knew about in my Bible history list of names, but it never went beyond that. Now thanks to the imagination and research of author Diana Wallis Taylor, this version of Claudia truly comes alive off the page.
We start her story when she is a child and in typical historical fashion we get to see some sad events that bring her to full womanhood rather quickly in a few years time. This time truly allows a character to come to know and really be on her side. I started off ambivalent, but came to be angry with her at the injustices of certain people she faced and now as I go back to certain New Testament scriptures I can see them in a different more vivid light. My beliefs haven't changed, but my vision of the people involved has become a good bit brighter.
"Available June 2013 from your favorite bookseller through Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
We start her story when she is a child and in typical historical fashion we get to see some sad events that bring her to full womanhood rather quickly in a few years time. This time truly allows a character to come to know and really be on her side. I started off ambivalent, but came to be angry with her at the injustices of certain people she faced and now as I go back to certain New Testament scriptures I can see them in a different more vivid light. My beliefs haven't changed, but my vision of the people involved has become a good bit brighter.
"Available June 2013 from your favorite bookseller through Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
April 15, 2022
3.5 stars.
April 27, 2016
I didn't know much about the wife of Pontius Pilate and I realize this story is only a possibility, but she was portrayed as a woman who came to realize her need for a Savior and was willing to say so. She was a godly wife to Pontius Pilate even though he suffered greatly thinking he was responsible for Jesus' crucifixion. He didn't realize it was all part of the plan and it would have happened anyway. I think he knew who Jesus was and he got to see Jesus healing even on his own son. That should have been proof, but he was weak when it came to his opinion of what others thought of him. He had to be a great ruler and that got in the way. However, It was nice to see Claudia never give up hope and I was glad she was able to find love again.
July 14, 2022
I am always intrigued to read Biblical fiction . . . the 'what ifs' of certain people mentioned in Scripture. Though she appears only briefly in the moments leading up to Jesus' Crucifixion, I've always been intrigued by the wife of Pilate . . . and what did it mean when she said she'd suffered many things in a dream because of Christ, and called Him a just man?
This book did a good job of presenting an idea of who Claudia was and what that one scene might have meant. I really enjoyed the way the author gave her a rich backstory, and portrayed her relationship with her husband, as well as the people with whom she came in contact.
4.5 stars
This book did a good job of presenting an idea of who Claudia was and what that one scene might have meant. I really enjoyed the way the author gave her a rich backstory, and portrayed her relationship with her husband, as well as the people with whom she came in contact.
4.5 stars
June 27, 2017
4.8 Stars
Wow! Let me catch my breath before trying to explain to you how amazing this book was. It kept me captivated at every turn, plot twist, and and detail. I loved to read about Claudia, her relationship with her husband, who just happens to be the governor of Judah. Although most of it is fictional, a compelling read nonetheless. It was very cool to read Jesus's death through Lucius amd Claudia's eyes. Highly recommended to 15 and up for some sexual innuendos and mentionings of a husband and wife's wedding couch and such.
Wow! Let me catch my breath before trying to explain to you how amazing this book was. It kept me captivated at every turn, plot twist, and and detail. I loved to read about Claudia, her relationship with her husband, who just happens to be the governor of Judah. Although most of it is fictional, a compelling read nonetheless. It was very cool to read Jesus's death through Lucius amd Claudia's eyes. Highly recommended to 15 and up for some sexual innuendos and mentionings of a husband and wife's wedding couch and such.
March 22, 2019
Life is dangerous for Claudia, granddaughter of Ceaser Augustus. Taken to the palace at a young age she is soon married off to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea. There she learns about the Christ and becomes a secret follower. Even she is devastated at her husband's part in His death she tries to be a supportive wife. Eventually Pilate is recalled back to Rome and Claudia follows him into exile. No matter what her circumstances, Claudia's faith in Jesus carries her through many difficulties.
June 1, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It was a very interesting look at what the wife of Pontius Pilate might have been like, based mostly on the author's ideas, history, and the few mentions of her in the Bible. I really enjoyed the character Claudia, and the historical details, especially about the Roman Empire's political upheaval during the time, was fascinating. I think I found a new author to follow!
May 28, 2019
What is truth ? (Pontius Pilate)
Knowing the truth and the truth shall set you free!
Faith comes by believe and hearing the word of God, that what makes Claudia survives till the end.
What a compelling story! A girl from a broken family that still manages to full families. Yes, with God all things are possible!!
Knowing the truth and the truth shall set you free!
Faith comes by believe and hearing the word of God, that what makes Claudia survives till the end.
What a compelling story! A girl from a broken family that still manages to full families. Yes, with God all things are possible!!
July 26, 2016
In the same vein as "The Red Tent" where an obscure figure (nameless, in this case) in the Bible is given an entire story and background.
Claudia is never mentioned by name in the Bible, only one account in the four gospels mentions her at all, and in passing. Pilate's wife sends a message to him as he is interrogating the Teacher after his arrest. The message reads to not have anything to do with the righteous man and her dreams of this man were disturbing to her.
Intriguing in itself.
The book actually reads like a YA book, which I thought it was. It does delve nicely, if shallowly, into the Roman dress, culture, foods, family structure of the time of Jesus.
Pilate is nothing I imagined, but I do appreciate new perspective in this...a Roman governor tortured in his own mind for the remainder of his life after he sentences the Son of God to death. He doesn't believe in Jesus in terms of how the new "wave" of believers are, and Pilate is barely sympathetic to the Jews. He is a Roman through and through, and worships many gods. He is "almost persuaded" several times by Claudia to believe in this Jewish teacher as something more than human. The man himself almost convinces him, during the interrogation.
After the resurrection, Pilate is even more upset and disturbed that he had a hand in killing "a god", and this haunts him. The author takes some time at the end to share what little is known about the real man in history, Pontius Pilate. She did well in her research of the times and trying to get into the mind of Pilate. The structure of government in Rome in the times of Jesus isn't difficult to understand, and the drama, backstabbing, paranoia, "game of thrones" is terribly familiar. The structure of that government, plus the Jewish customs that butt heads with the Roman culture helps lay the groundwork of why Jesus taught the way he did, and what he said. This book does help show the relevance of Jesus's message to the times he was in and how the people responded.
Claudia herself goes from about twelve years old to possibly mid thirties in the span of years offered in the book. She is calm and gracious, and not terribly annoying. The dreams she has about this Jewish man she has never met, and then getting to see and hear Jesus and meet him, as well as other apostles and Bible characters, is interesting if just for perspective.
If you don't like heavy religious allusions or have a problem with Jesus at all, don't read it. You'll be offended by something. If you can accept that religion was essentially WHO the Romans and Jews were at the time and the birth of Christianity began here, and thus impacted the entire culture of both sects, then you'll be okay.
Claudia is never mentioned by name in the Bible, only one account in the four gospels mentions her at all, and in passing. Pilate's wife sends a message to him as he is interrogating the Teacher after his arrest. The message reads to not have anything to do with the righteous man and her dreams of this man were disturbing to her.
Intriguing in itself.
The book actually reads like a YA book, which I thought it was. It does delve nicely, if shallowly, into the Roman dress, culture, foods, family structure of the time of Jesus.
Pilate is nothing I imagined, but I do appreciate new perspective in this...a Roman governor tortured in his own mind for the remainder of his life after he sentences the Son of God to death. He doesn't believe in Jesus in terms of how the new "wave" of believers are, and Pilate is barely sympathetic to the Jews. He is a Roman through and through, and worships many gods. He is "almost persuaded" several times by Claudia to believe in this Jewish teacher as something more than human. The man himself almost convinces him, during the interrogation.
After the resurrection, Pilate is even more upset and disturbed that he had a hand in killing "a god", and this haunts him. The author takes some time at the end to share what little is known about the real man in history, Pontius Pilate. She did well in her research of the times and trying to get into the mind of Pilate. The structure of government in Rome in the times of Jesus isn't difficult to understand, and the drama, backstabbing, paranoia, "game of thrones" is terribly familiar. The structure of that government, plus the Jewish customs that butt heads with the Roman culture helps lay the groundwork of why Jesus taught the way he did, and what he said. This book does help show the relevance of Jesus's message to the times he was in and how the people responded.
Claudia herself goes from about twelve years old to possibly mid thirties in the span of years offered in the book. She is calm and gracious, and not terribly annoying. The dreams she has about this Jewish man she has never met, and then getting to see and hear Jesus and meet him, as well as other apostles and Bible characters, is interesting if just for perspective.
If you don't like heavy religious allusions or have a problem with Jesus at all, don't read it. You'll be offended by something. If you can accept that religion was essentially WHO the Romans and Jews were at the time and the birth of Christianity began here, and thus impacted the entire culture of both sects, then you'll be okay.
March 22, 2020
Very interesting. Couldn't put it down.
April 11, 2013
Claudia
Title: CLAUDIA
Author: Diana Wallis Taylor
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: 15 June 2013
ASIN: B00B85M338
Claudia is the story of the wife of Pontius Pilate. I loved the story! It is refreshing and interesting how the story begins where she as a young girl, not yet marriageable age, is mixed up, and influenced by the politics of Rome. Claudia’s life is not always easy or safe, because she is the granddaughter of Caesar Augustus, and jealousy and danger also plays a role.
As a young woman she is taken to the palace of Caesar, with nobody to guide her and to protect her against the political and revengeful onslaughts. Will her marriage to Pontius Pilate be for the better or for the worse? In what way do his good and bad decisions, as the governor of Judea, affect her life?
Diana Wallis Taylor has done the research to be true to Biblical history as well as to Rome in the days of the Caesars. At the same time Diana Wallis Taylor tells a very interesting and intriguing story of a young girl, and her hopes and dreams.
I love the way Diana Wallis Taylor weaves the lives of the characters into the miracles and gospel of Jesus, and how each character is affected and react differently. One cannot read Claudia without asking yourself, “What is your relationship with Jesus?”
Claudia is a beautiful story, with plots, twists, romance and wisdom. I will definitely recommend this book.
Reader’s Favorite, as part of their media review bloggers program provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review.
Title: CLAUDIA
Author: Diana Wallis Taylor
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: 15 June 2013
ASIN: B00B85M338
Claudia is the story of the wife of Pontius Pilate. I loved the story! It is refreshing and interesting how the story begins where she as a young girl, not yet marriageable age, is mixed up, and influenced by the politics of Rome. Claudia’s life is not always easy or safe, because she is the granddaughter of Caesar Augustus, and jealousy and danger also plays a role.
As a young woman she is taken to the palace of Caesar, with nobody to guide her and to protect her against the political and revengeful onslaughts. Will her marriage to Pontius Pilate be for the better or for the worse? In what way do his good and bad decisions, as the governor of Judea, affect her life?
Diana Wallis Taylor has done the research to be true to Biblical history as well as to Rome in the days of the Caesars. At the same time Diana Wallis Taylor tells a very interesting and intriguing story of a young girl, and her hopes and dreams.
I love the way Diana Wallis Taylor weaves the lives of the characters into the miracles and gospel of Jesus, and how each character is affected and react differently. One cannot read Claudia without asking yourself, “What is your relationship with Jesus?”
Claudia is a beautiful story, with plots, twists, romance and wisdom. I will definitely recommend this book.
Reader’s Favorite, as part of their media review bloggers program provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review.
June 26, 2013
What an excellent job Ms Taylor did in bringing this story to life. Although Claudia is mentioned in one paragraph in the Gospels, there is also a mention of a Claudia in 2 Timothy, which could be her.
Claudia was portrayed and is believed to be the only daughter of Caesar Augustus. She lived a secluded life until the age of thirteen, as in she never leaves her home. She is then brought to live with the Emperor Tiberius, she will live with him until the right man is chosen for her to marry.
To her surprise she loves the man that is chosen, Lucious Pontius Pilate, and they begin their lives together. There is a lot of good and evil in this book. Of course we know the part that Pilate plays in the death of Jesus. What we don't know is that Claudia becomes a follower.
This book is a real page turner, a wonderful love story, and a powerful telling of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Such a wonderful story of the plots, and murders, and doing just about anything to achieve power. Also the ways of life during this period. Travel along on this journey with Diana Wallis Taylor, you will not be disappointed!
I received this book through the Revell Publishing Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.
Claudia was portrayed and is believed to be the only daughter of Caesar Augustus. She lived a secluded life until the age of thirteen, as in she never leaves her home. She is then brought to live with the Emperor Tiberius, she will live with him until the right man is chosen for her to marry.
To her surprise she loves the man that is chosen, Lucious Pontius Pilate, and they begin their lives together. There is a lot of good and evil in this book. Of course we know the part that Pilate plays in the death of Jesus. What we don't know is that Claudia becomes a follower.
This book is a real page turner, a wonderful love story, and a powerful telling of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Such a wonderful story of the plots, and murders, and doing just about anything to achieve power. Also the ways of life during this period. Travel along on this journey with Diana Wallis Taylor, you will not be disappointed!
I received this book through the Revell Publishing Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.
August 2, 2025
This is an interesting account of the infighting and intrigue in high Roman circles during the time of Christ. Claudia, about whom we know nothing from Scripture except that she dreamed about Jesus, is developed as an interesting character. She is the granddaughter of the former emperor, so she lives a life that hovers precariously between honor and exile, depending on the whim of the current ruler. When she is conveniently married to Pontius Pilate, she is relieved to find him attractive and kind, but he is immediately assigned to that hotbed of rebellion, Judea. Following her husband to this faraway strange place, she learns of a Rabbi who heals and finds herself drawn in. It's a good story to listen to and muse on the possibilities. I enjoyed it.
March 31, 2016
Claudia is barely mentioned in Scripture, so the reader must keep in mind that most of the story will be fictional. With this in mind, Diana Wallis Taylor did a very nice job and kept me interested in the story. I was fascinated with the thought that Claudia might have actually heard Jesus teach, and the tension between Roman rulers was realistic. I did not feel the descriptions and actions in the story transported me, as a reader, to that time period and let me experience it quite as much as some Christian historical fiction writers, but it was a good book.
June 12, 2013
Although Claudia is only mentioned in one paragraph in the Bible, the author did a wonderful job weaving a probable story around this figure and what the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection might have looked like from her point of view and that of her husband, governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. An inspiring story full of intrigue, rebellion, betrayal and redemption. I loved it!
October 4, 2025
As indicated by the title, this book tells the story of Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilate, and while it's an interesting idea, I felt like the book struggled to rise above your average Christian historical fiction.
Firstly, in the Bible, Claudia plays a very limited role (being only mentioned as having told Pilate, her husband, to have nothing to do with the trial of Jesus when He was accused by the Jews,) so in order to craft a story, the author was forced to get creative. I thought it was an interesting touch that she decided to give Claudia a uniquely royal background, making her the daughter of Julia, the only child of Augustus Caesar. As the story progresses, I felt like the author also did a good job of building out Claudia's world using historical events from that time. We may not have a lot of historical resources for Jesus' life, but we do know what was going on in Rome at the time. I felt like blending the Bible and Rome's history into Claudia's story not only made sense, but made it stronger. However, although it strengthened the world of the book, it didn't seem to do much for Claudia as a character.
I felt like the characters were really the weak point of the book. Claudia herself is raised at first in poorer settings (since her mother was under house arrest for breaking Augustus' laws against adultery) until she becomes the emperor's ward and lives in a Roman palace. But outside of learning how to cook, this transition from poor to rich seems to have little effect on her. Claudia as a person just seems to roll from one household to another without really having any reaction, or even goal in life. This might be realistic- after all, the reality is that women had very little choice in their lives at this time- but it does make for a boring character. She has an arranged marriage- which she also accepts, as would have been usual- but instantly falls in love with her husband Pontius Pilate, in this book referred to as Lucius Pontius Pilate. At that point, her only goals are have children and support Lucius, and her only dream is "sure would be nice to live in a villa that I get to manage instead of a palace! Oh well, maybe some day..." She really doesn't have much personality, and we are mostly told her feelings and fears; the book relies a lot on telling and not showing. Even when she her life is (indirectly) threatened, it has nothing to do with her personally, but with family and political ties such as her mother's family.
The other characters mainly fill out the background. There is her friend/slave/maid, Hotep, who just agrees with everything she says. Her husband is alternately loving and strict (but in a historically accurate kind of way.) Her other friends are mostly Jews who are hesitant about talking to her, but quickly open up to her and easily share their beliefs and thoughts. Her only real adversary is Sejanus, the emperor's advisor, but he does not appear after the first fourth of the book.
It's pretty clear that this book is simply a vehicle to tell a story of someone converting to follow Jesus (which happens pretty easily as she witnesses His miracles) and then hoping and praying that their loved ones convert too. And if they don't- hey, she has plenty of Christian friends!
I feel like this is pretty standard for most Christian historical fiction books, but I guess I was disappointed as this book started off rather strongly with its worldbuilding, but then just failed when it came to characters or actual story. Since even in the Bible, Claudia's connection with Christ is short, there wasn't much the author could do here, and so it feels like the main reason this book was written was over quickly. It definitely does a lot of apologetics for Pilate's role in the Passion, but nothing a reader of the Bible wouldn't have realized anyway.
So, it's not good, but it's not bad. Just okay. Read it if you want1
Firstly, in the Bible, Claudia plays a very limited role (being only mentioned as having told Pilate, her husband, to have nothing to do with the trial of Jesus when He was accused by the Jews,) so in order to craft a story, the author was forced to get creative. I thought it was an interesting touch that she decided to give Claudia a uniquely royal background, making her the daughter of Julia, the only child of Augustus Caesar. As the story progresses, I felt like the author also did a good job of building out Claudia's world using historical events from that time. We may not have a lot of historical resources for Jesus' life, but we do know what was going on in Rome at the time. I felt like blending the Bible and Rome's history into Claudia's story not only made sense, but made it stronger. However, although it strengthened the world of the book, it didn't seem to do much for Claudia as a character.
I felt like the characters were really the weak point of the book. Claudia herself is raised at first in poorer settings (since her mother was under house arrest for breaking Augustus' laws against adultery) until she becomes the emperor's ward and lives in a Roman palace. But outside of learning how to cook, this transition from poor to rich seems to have little effect on her. Claudia as a person just seems to roll from one household to another without really having any reaction, or even goal in life. This might be realistic- after all, the reality is that women had very little choice in their lives at this time- but it does make for a boring character. She has an arranged marriage- which she also accepts, as would have been usual- but instantly falls in love with her husband Pontius Pilate, in this book referred to as Lucius Pontius Pilate. At that point, her only goals are have children and support Lucius, and her only dream is "sure would be nice to live in a villa that I get to manage instead of a palace! Oh well, maybe some day..." She really doesn't have much personality, and we are mostly told her feelings and fears; the book relies a lot on telling and not showing. Even when she her life is (indirectly) threatened, it has nothing to do with her personally, but with family and political ties such as her mother's family.
The other characters mainly fill out the background. There is her friend/slave/maid, Hotep, who just agrees with everything she says. Her husband is alternately loving and strict (but in a historically accurate kind of way.) Her other friends are mostly Jews who are hesitant about talking to her, but quickly open up to her and easily share their beliefs and thoughts. Her only real adversary is Sejanus, the emperor's advisor, but he does not appear after the first fourth of the book.
It's pretty clear that this book is simply a vehicle to tell a story of someone converting to follow Jesus (which happens pretty easily as she witnesses His miracles) and then hoping and praying that their loved ones convert too. And if they don't- hey, she has plenty of Christian friends!
I feel like this is pretty standard for most Christian historical fiction books, but I guess I was disappointed as this book started off rather strongly with its worldbuilding, but then just failed when it came to characters or actual story. Since even in the Bible, Claudia's connection with Christ is short, there wasn't much the author could do here, and so it feels like the main reason this book was written was over quickly. It definitely does a lot of apologetics for Pilate's role in the Passion, but nothing a reader of the Bible wouldn't have realized anyway.
So, it's not good, but it's not bad. Just okay. Read it if you want1
April 8, 2019
ﻻ نعرف الكثير عن زوجة بيلاطس التي لم يرد عنها في اﻻنجيل المقدس سوى لمحة خاطفة في اطار قصة صلب السيد المسيح.
من هي : ان ما نعرفه عنها لا يتعدّى بضعة سطوركتبها التقليد أن اسمها كلوديا بروكولا وانها اصبحت مسيحية. فاذا صحّ هذا القول. نتذكّر حكمة مولانا الصادقة: " يكون اثنان على فراش واحد يؤخذ الواحد ويُترك الآخر. لو 17 : 34 . انها رومانية الجنس وأغلب الظن أنها زوجة -- لوال ممتاز-- ، كانت امرأة تنتمي الى الطبقة الارستقراطية، وكما يظهر انها كانت ذات طبيعة رقيقة، وحلمها ينبيء عن احساسها. والاحلام كما يقول علماء النفس إن هي الا انعكاس للطبائع والعقليات والغرائز. وبما أن هذا الحلم كان وحيا إلهيا خالصا، فاننا نعلم أن الله يوحي الى النفوس دائما على أساس طبيعتها واستعدادها.
حياة كلوديا تبدو بهذا القدر غير مبالية ، إلى أن تقابل "لوسيوس بونتيوس بيلاطس"، وتصبح زوجته. عندما ينتقلون إلى منطقة يهودا المليئة باﻻضطرابات، فإنها تفعل ما كانت تفعله من قبل. ولكن الاضطرابات تتزايد، وتجد كلوديا نفسها وزوجها المحبوب متورطين في خضم الصراعات واعمال الشغب و التمرد التي يقوم بها طائفة الغيورين المناهضة للاحتلال الروماني. هل تجد الأمل في الربّي اليهودي الغامض الذي يتحدث عنه الجميع؟
دع هذه القصة الملحمية تنقلك عبر القصور الرخامية والأسواق المتربة والمباني الرومانية المثالية، وأنت تتبع مسار غير متوقع لامرأة استحقت ذكرا عابرا في أحد روايات الإنجيل، لكن قصتها ، كما روتها المؤلفة "ديانا واليس تايلور"، هي واحدة من القصص التي تستحق ان تكون أسطورة.
ما يقوله القراء عن الرواية:
عندما فتحت غلاف "كلوديا" ، كنت أتوقع أن أقرأ رواية جيدة الحبكة. رغم ذلك ، لم أكن أتوقع قراءة رواية شدت انتباهي واستحوذت على تفكيري في قبضتها من البداية إلى النهاية! بكل بساطة ، ابدعت "ديانا واليس تايلور" قصة رائعة، اذ تخيلت تفاصيل حياة زوجة بونتيوس بيلاطس. ولاكونة صادقة ، لم أعطي حياتها وتاريخها الكثير من التفكير. ومع ذلك ، عندما فكرت في سبب اختيار الله لإدراجها في الكتاب المقدس ، والحلم الذي أعطاه إياها بشأن بيلاطس ، أدركت أنها لغز محير. لقد قامت تايلور بعمل رائع في الاحتفاظ بالقصة بما ﻻ يشت عن الكتاب المقدس ووقائع التاريخ. لقد استمتعت كثيراً بالشخصيات الرائعة التي خلقتها تايلور ، بالإضافة إلى الشخصيات الرهيبة التي تسكن روما و فلسطين أيضًا! لقد نجحت المؤلفة في إعادة الحياة إلى التاريخ ، بمشاهد مليئة بالإثارة ومكائد ودراما!
لقد تحدثت إلى العديد من الأشخاص الذين يعتقدون أن "الخيال التوراتي" هو النوع الذي يرغبون في الابتعاد عنه ، وأن هذه الكتب مملة ويمكن التنبؤ بها. أتحدى هؤلاء الناس ان ﻻ ينبهروا بشخصية "كلوديا" في الرواية، او إذا كانوا قادرين على مقاومة جاذبية الرواية!
أوصي بشدة بهذا الكتاب الخيالي التاريخي ، وأوصي به بحرارة للقراء الذين يستمتعون بالخيال التوراتي ، وكذلك لأولئك الذين لا يفعلون ذلك. ليس فقط القصة مسلية ، لكنها بالتأكيد تعطي الكثير من مادة للتفكير أيضًا! لذا فلكل ما سبق اعطيها في التقييم 5 نجمات من 5 .
April 28, 2020
It had so much potential, but I put it on the DNF pile 1/4 of the way through. The romance between Claudia and Pilate felt very forced and rushed. It was just way too much, too soon, and was mainly physical attraction. (As for Claudia's feelings about Lucius, I completely understand the emotional reasoning. He's like the father she never had. Even as someone who has identical issues, I couldn't get behind this match.) None of this was explained, and if anything, it seems to sanction it. The age difference was not lost on me, either. Let's not forget this is an almost 40-year-old man with someone who would be a minor in today's world. I could've appreciated an almost parental bond or deep friendship, but the immediately intense romance between them was just gag-worthy (especially when they were checking each other out on day one). Maybe their love deepened, but I didn't get that far. It's unfortunate, because I was enjoying it pretty well up until that point.
In general, all the writing in the beginning rushed toward one single goal: making Claudia the wife of Pontius Pilate, yet some of it was quite uneventful and, frankly, seemed uninspired. It centered around Claudia's home life, but little was known about those whom she came into contact with every day. All the supporting characters were pretty one-dimensional. There was just so much potential for a richer story. It seemed like all the time and effort was being reserved for later chapters.
The settings were lovely and I enjoyed learning a little bit about ancient Roman culture, but there just wasn't enough to make it worth the while to read the whole book.
In general, all the writing in the beginning rushed toward one single goal: making Claudia the wife of Pontius Pilate, yet some of it was quite uneventful and, frankly, seemed uninspired. It centered around Claudia's home life, but little was known about those whom she came into contact with every day. All the supporting characters were pretty one-dimensional. There was just so much potential for a richer story. It seemed like all the time and effort was being reserved for later chapters.
The settings were lovely and I enjoyed learning a little bit about ancient Roman culture, but there just wasn't enough to make it worth the while to read the whole book.
November 22, 2023
Este doar o fictiune, fiindca in istorie si in Biblie sotaia lui Pontiu Pilat nu este amintita decat de cel mult doua ori. Povestea insa este foarte frumoasa si se respecta mult istoria, inclusiv scenele biblice, fara a se concentra pe ele. Este o poveste in care Claudia este elementul central al unei povesti de dragoste cu interferente istorice si religioase. As spune ca partea religioasa este cea mai predominanta si scriitoarea a făcut o treabă minunata în a rămâne fidel relatării biblice și faptelor istoriei pentru a crea un scenariu plauzibil despre cine ar fi putut fi Claudia. Claudia era nepoata imparatului Auguste si fiica nelegitima a Luciei. La varsta de 13 ani este dusa la Roma unde este educata sa devina o sotie credincoasa. Se casatoreste la varsta de 16 ani cu Pontiu Pilat si il va insotii pe acesta la Ierusalim. Va locui acolo peste zece ani, alaturi de Pilat care fusese numit guvernator al provinciei iudeiice.
June 19, 2022
This was so good! I happened to Google the wife of
Pilate looking for the scripture about her, and was surprised and delighted to find a whole book about her. I had to read this immediately.
I was riveted by this up until it reached the point of Jesus’ resurrection, and it fizzled a bit after that. But I knew basically nothing about the Romans in this time before, and learned so much.
She really takes you into the story, and I’m down for anything that makes me more interested in the Bible. Claudia is such a strong character with a fascinating history.
The ending was sad but realistic. Not without hope, though. There’s not much theology in this, but it does have a Christian bent of course. I’ll definitely be recommending especially because it doesn’t seem to be very well known. The audio was excellent.
Pilate looking for the scripture about her, and was surprised and delighted to find a whole book about her. I had to read this immediately.
I was riveted by this up until it reached the point of Jesus’ resurrection, and it fizzled a bit after that. But I knew basically nothing about the Romans in this time before, and learned so much.
She really takes you into the story, and I’m down for anything that makes me more interested in the Bible. Claudia is such a strong character with a fascinating history.
The ending was sad but realistic. Not without hope, though. There’s not much theology in this, but it does have a Christian bent of course. I’ll definitely be recommending especially because it doesn’t seem to be very well known. The audio was excellent.
May 12, 2021
Interesting book
I enjoyed reading this book and the perspective of the other side of Pontius Pilate. The only thing is at the end of the book the author mentions 2 Claudia's in the Bible. I've done quite a bit of research, the Bible mentions the wife of Pontius Pilate but not by name. I have the book All the Women of the Bible, and this is where I found mention of the wife of Pontius Pilate and her name being Claudia who is a totally different Claudia then mentioned in the Bible.
However, that's not the point of the book. The book was very well written and I did enjoy it. I look forward to reading more by this author!
I enjoyed reading this book and the perspective of the other side of Pontius Pilate. The only thing is at the end of the book the author mentions 2 Claudia's in the Bible. I've done quite a bit of research, the Bible mentions the wife of Pontius Pilate but not by name. I have the book All the Women of the Bible, and this is where I found mention of the wife of Pontius Pilate and her name being Claudia who is a totally different Claudia then mentioned in the Bible.
However, that's not the point of the book. The book was very well written and I did enjoy it. I look forward to reading more by this author!
June 25, 2024
I enjoyed listening to this book. It allows you to explore the historical time period and the internal conflicts that occurred when miracles were witnessed yet you've been taught something different. I enjoyed watching Claudia's character develop. Her loyalty to her husband combined with her loyalty to her son and her own feelings and understanding was admirable. One thing I'm not sure about is how much of Claudia's storyline is based on fact verses fiction. I'm familiar with the Bible and the story of Pontius Pilate, but I don't actually know how much of a record there is of Claudia or if her storyline is based on fiction around the story of Pilate. Something to research!
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