Jane’s Reviews > The Testament of Marcellus > Status Update

I love the introspection of Marcellus. Part II brings it out stronger than Part I. In his words: "I declared at the outset this was to be the chronicle of my life, yet now I wonder if it isn't the chronicle of Procula's life--or Pilate's or Daphne's. All those lives were also my life. We were sewn together like pieces of a garment...all the chronicler can hope to do is show a few details...."

Back in Rome. Part II. Report on Pilate and Judean situation. New female slave.

Poisoning of Marcellus at Herod Antipas's dinner. Upon recovery: "my life had changed forever...certain things vanished from me, other things grew in their place....arrogance, moral rectitude were replaced by a kind of compassion I had pretended before. I learned humility." At Jesus' trial mounts a defense--unsuccessful--witnesses crucifixion and last person at the tomb.

Marcellus, a widower lawyer, has brought a letter from his uncle, influential senator, to Pilate and is investigating the volatile situation in Judea and the cruel boor Pilate himself. All we know is Marcellus's name; his sympathetic personality has been created whole cloth by the author.