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The Final Bow: A Novel
The riveting story of the fourth century actor whose stunning conversion transformed him from an on-stage mocker of the Christians to one of the faith's great saints. An exciting epic that will appeal to lovers of such fictional masterworks as Ben Hur and The Robe.
309 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1993
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February 2, 2012
Historical novels walk a fine line. They must be accurate or they lose credibility. They must be dramatic or they are never elevated above textbook status. Historical novels that cover religious events end up being subjected to a third test: that of theological soundness.
Perhaps it is because The Final Bow stands up so well to these three tests that I enjoy it so much. Or perhaps it is because it is about a fourth century actor who discovers Christianity through his efforts to mock it.
In other words, The Final Bow appeals to me on many levels, both objective and personal.
The History
The book is a mixture of historical accuracy and conjecture—to which the author freely admits. It is set in AD 303 to 304 and tells the story of Genesius, the man who would become the patron saint of actors. We know that a Genesius existed and that he was an actor who at one time persecuted Christians and later was martyred for the faith. Beyond that, we know little about him.
It was the time of a tetrarcy. There were four emperors who ruled jointly. The “first” emperor was Diocletian, made famous for leading the last of the Roman persecutions against the Christians. His “assistant” (yes, I’m playing fast and loose with historical titles here) was Galerius. Galerius was also his biggest rival. The emperor of the other half of the Roman Empire was Maximian. Neither he nor his “assistant” play a very large role in this book.
Lactantius is the narrator of the book and he is also a historical person. He was an early historian of the Church who served both Diocletian and Constantine. Most of the rest of the characters in this novel are fictional, as are many of the relationships.
Historical events covered in the novel are the fires at Nicomedia, the role of the Roman theater, the infamy of the Roman mobs, and the abdication of Diocletian.
The Drama
The story is set in a turbulent period of history and one that is not often studied. It’s long past the glory days of the Roman Republic and there is little that is golden about this part of the Empire. It is, though, an interesting time, and Alan David Justice makes full use of it.
Justice describes in detail the Roman theater, the mob, the intrigue, and the persecutions. The deaths of the martyrs are gory and at times hard to read. There is one scene that still makes me cringe in empathetic pain. Justice keeps the pace fast-moving, never dwelling on any one aspect.
Justice establishes his characters quickly. We feel the power and strength of Diocletian, the swarminess of Publius Labius, and the steadfastness of Lactantius.
Justice tells us the story of Genesius, a slapstick actor who becomes Diocletian’s friend and advisor. Genesius is sent undercover to find Christians so that they can be arrested and persecuted. Instead, Genesius is taken on the journey of his life and must make decisions about what is important to him and what his life will mean.
The Theology
A Final Bow is the story of discovery and we readers must learn with Genesius what Christianity holds beyond material for mockery. Justice shows us people who chose a faith that they had to keep hidden in order for it to survive. There is a strength of character in every flawed believer.
Genesius begins as a hater of Christians and becomes famous for his scorn and contempt because he is gifted as a bawdy, comic actor. In his role as a spy, Genesius—and we readers—witness the faith of the early Christians and martyrs.
The Personal
I originally plucked this book out of a bargain bin, paying only $4 for a book that I expected to be mildly entertaining and engrossing. Instead, I ended up with a book that revealed to me history of which I was previously ignorant and one that challenged my faith.
Both my husband and I have read it multiple times. We are both actors—I as a hobbyist, he as a budding professional. This book showed us how our craft and hobby can be a tool through which God works. It was foremost in my husband’s mind during his recent role as Faustus—a man who denies God, arrogantly rejects His grace, and out of pride shuns repeated opportunities for redemption. Genesius, a man who had to choose how to use his art and his gifts, has become as close to a patron saint for us as we are ever likely to have.
Perhaps it is because The Final Bow stands up so well to these three tests that I enjoy it so much. Or perhaps it is because it is about a fourth century actor who discovers Christianity through his efforts to mock it.
In other words, The Final Bow appeals to me on many levels, both objective and personal.
The History
The book is a mixture of historical accuracy and conjecture—to which the author freely admits. It is set in AD 303 to 304 and tells the story of Genesius, the man who would become the patron saint of actors. We know that a Genesius existed and that he was an actor who at one time persecuted Christians and later was martyred for the faith. Beyond that, we know little about him.
It was the time of a tetrarcy. There were four emperors who ruled jointly. The “first” emperor was Diocletian, made famous for leading the last of the Roman persecutions against the Christians. His “assistant” (yes, I’m playing fast and loose with historical titles here) was Galerius. Galerius was also his biggest rival. The emperor of the other half of the Roman Empire was Maximian. Neither he nor his “assistant” play a very large role in this book.
Lactantius is the narrator of the book and he is also a historical person. He was an early historian of the Church who served both Diocletian and Constantine. Most of the rest of the characters in this novel are fictional, as are many of the relationships.
Historical events covered in the novel are the fires at Nicomedia, the role of the Roman theater, the infamy of the Roman mobs, and the abdication of Diocletian.
The Drama
The story is set in a turbulent period of history and one that is not often studied. It’s long past the glory days of the Roman Republic and there is little that is golden about this part of the Empire. It is, though, an interesting time, and Alan David Justice makes full use of it.
Justice describes in detail the Roman theater, the mob, the intrigue, and the persecutions. The deaths of the martyrs are gory and at times hard to read. There is one scene that still makes me cringe in empathetic pain. Justice keeps the pace fast-moving, never dwelling on any one aspect.
Justice establishes his characters quickly. We feel the power and strength of Diocletian, the swarminess of Publius Labius, and the steadfastness of Lactantius.
Justice tells us the story of Genesius, a slapstick actor who becomes Diocletian’s friend and advisor. Genesius is sent undercover to find Christians so that they can be arrested and persecuted. Instead, Genesius is taken on the journey of his life and must make decisions about what is important to him and what his life will mean.
The Theology
A Final Bow is the story of discovery and we readers must learn with Genesius what Christianity holds beyond material for mockery. Justice shows us people who chose a faith that they had to keep hidden in order for it to survive. There is a strength of character in every flawed believer.
Genesius begins as a hater of Christians and becomes famous for his scorn and contempt because he is gifted as a bawdy, comic actor. In his role as a spy, Genesius—and we readers—witness the faith of the early Christians and martyrs.
The Personal
I originally plucked this book out of a bargain bin, paying only $4 for a book that I expected to be mildly entertaining and engrossing. Instead, I ended up with a book that revealed to me history of which I was previously ignorant and one that challenged my faith.
Both my husband and I have read it multiple times. We are both actors—I as a hobbyist, he as a budding professional. This book showed us how our craft and hobby can be a tool through which God works. It was foremost in my husband’s mind during his recent role as Faustus—a man who denies God, arrogantly rejects His grace, and out of pride shuns repeated opportunities for redemption. Genesius, a man who had to choose how to use his art and his gifts, has become as close to a patron saint for us as we are ever likely to have.
Displaying 1 of 1 review