Bastard

by Mark Canter

Jalaam, a bastard son in first-century Judea, escapes the bullies in his village by becoming a stable boy with the Roman cavalry. On a journey far from his desert homeland to a forested world called Germania, he befriends Hannah, a beautiful Hebrew pleasure slave. Through grit and skill Jalaam rises to become an eques sapsarius (cavalry combat medic) and, ultimately, a celebrated gladiator in Pompeii. But Hannah, now a wealthy consort, believes that Jalaam was born for an altogether different destiny.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

466 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

I was raised in Kentucky hill country in a metropolis of 400 tobacco and hog farmers, where I belonged to the only Jewish family in the universe.

In my dharma-bum youth, I hitchhiked and jumped trains across the Western States and Canada and went through jobs from pizza chef to surgical orderly, massage therapist to rock-show stagehand.

After getting a journalism degree, I wrote for a few Florida newspapers before becoming senior editor of Men’s Health magazine. My short stories have been published nationally and my debut novel, Ember From the Sun, was published in 10 foreign languages.

I hold a master’s degree in the Humanities (“With Highest Distinction”) and for seven years I taught World Religions at Florida State University, where I specialized in “subverting the dominant paradigm.”

Reviews

[Dframej · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Canter's best book to date. Ember from the Sun was a page-turner that maintained interest in its lead character throughout, but this seems tighter to me, and there are more characters to become attached to. And then there's the premise: read it to learn more about this particular Bastard! Very well-conceived and smartly executed.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting premise - the missing years of Jesus.

[Ken Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that I had some misgivings about this book at first. As an atheist, I was concerned that the story would place Jesus in an unrealistic role in the violent and unforgiving society of the first century Roman Empire. I also had some concern that the book would follow the Dan Brown conspiracy theory style. What I discovered was a believable character in the young Jesus/Martis. Mark Canter had certainly done his homework in the historically-accurate and vivid descriptions of the life faced by his characters, and the story kept me engaged right up to its very satisfying end. Mr. Canter wisely stayed away from the Biblical years, and introduced a character that was a product of his times

[Lori Beninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise. Excellent fight and arena descriptions. The story really got started when the author switched to the first-person familiar voice. However, the believability of Jesus as a popular gladiator turned healer was a stretch and the modern-day portion of the book had little to offer in the way of intrigue or depth of character. I did like Mr. Canter's writing (once he got to the first-person narrative) and will try some of his other books -- this one just didn't grab me.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books you so desperately want to read again, but must save it for a time when the details will feel as fresh as the day you first opened it. A book that will stay with you forever, and have you shoving it in the palms of anyone who reveals them for more than two seconds.