The Centurion

by Leonard Wibberley

Each of the first three Gospels calls attention to the Roman centurion--Longinus--who officiated at the Crucifixion, and it is through the life-changing story of this duty-bound soldier that Leonard Wibberley (author of The Mouse That Roared and himself a devout Catholic) achieves, with a shrewd appreciation of human motives, a thoroughly fresh interpretation of the Gospel story of Christ's ministry and Passion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Religion

251 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Also wrote under his full name Leonard Patrick O'Connor Wibberley and under
Patrick O'Connor as well as pseudonyms Christopher Webb and Leonard Holton

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Passion of Christ retold

A moving novel quite suitable for the Easter season. There is not as much about the centurion as I expected from the title. There are also threads with other viewpoints including Pilate, Peter, John and Judas.

Leonard Wibberley was the author of THE MOUSE WHO ROARED and a devoted Catholic.

[Paul Weiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

A steadfastly Biblical approach to Christ’s public life and ultimate execution

It must be said that Wibberley does good work when it comes to outlining the history and the politics of the Roman occupation of what is now known as Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Indeed, there are segments such as the animosity between the two high priests, Annas and Caiaphas, and the Machiavellian diplomatic machinations of Herod and Pilate, which it could be said are both informative and quite gripping. But the main part of the story, Christ’s public life, his arrest and his crucifixion, are dealt with in a very traditional and completely orthodox manner. Ultimately, the story rests in the centre of a multi-sided figure bordered by orthodoxy, sanctimonious Christianity, rigid faith, and (in my mind at least) proselytizing that is quite tiresome.

Paul Weiss

[Douglas Boren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice addition to looking at a familiar story. The idea of telling the story of Christ as seen through the eyes of the Roman Centurion who was ultimately assigned to crucify him is intriguing to say the least. This is well written, and keeps your attention easily. It's not a long book, and can easily be read in a few days, or less. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories about Christ.

[Philip Omdahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centurion Longiness

A captivating and well written novel of the Roman officer charged with carrying out the crucifixion of Jesus. A little byplay from the Gospels is interesting and serves more the realism if the Centurion's dilemma.

[John Arden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special, just a retelling of part of the New Testament. Not particularly noteworthy.

[Louise Bergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book over 45 years ago, and it has stayed in my memory all these years. I especially would think about it at Easter. This year (2019), I finally re-read the story, and it still moved me. The protagonist is the centurion featured in three of the Bible stories about Jesus's Passion. This is not the first nor only time I've read an author's take on this person. Like Lloyd Douglas's The Robe, I will be reading it again--and sooner than another 45 years!

[Chris Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a nice, breezy story that was fun to read. Had some great details from the era woven into the story. Not an epic like The Robe, but not as long, either.

[Mauro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simplification of the New Testament. Interesting for having São Longuinho’s point of view as the center of the narrative.

[Kelly Elsberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

I bought this book on Easter Sunday I’m not big on ready so it took me a bit to get through it but this book did not disappoint a solid 8/10