Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz (1997, Trade Paperback)

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About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherHippocrene Books, Incorporated
ISBN-100781805503
ISBN-139780781805506
eBay Product ID (ePID)231685

Product Key Features

Book TitleQuo Vadis
Number of Pages589 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year1997
TopicChristian / Historical, Literary
FeaturesReprint
GenreFiction
AuthorHenryk Sienkiewicz
FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height1.3 in
Item Weight28.8 Oz
Item Length9 in
Item Width6.2 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN97-002694
Dewey Edition20
Reviews"Sienkiewicz wrote Quo Vadis for the entire world and the world took it to its heart."--James Michener
Dewey DecimalFIC
Edition DescriptionReprint
SynopsisRome during the reign of Nero was a glorious place for the emperor and his court; there were grand feasts, tournaments for poets, and exciting games and circuses filling the days and nights. The pageantry and pretentious displays of excess were sufficient to cloy the senses of participants as well as to offend the sensitive. Petronius, a generous and noble Roman, a man of the world much in favor at the court of Nero, is intrigued by a strange tale related by his nephew Marcus Vinitius of his encounter with a mysterious young woman called Ligia with whom Vinitius falls madly in love. Ligia, a captured King's daughter and a one-time hostage of Rome, is now a foster child of a noble Roman household. She is also a Christian. The setting of the narrative was prepared with utmost care. Henryk Sienkiewicz visited the Roman settings many times and was thoroughly educated in the historical background. As an attempt to create the spirit of antiquity, the novel met with unanimous acclaim, which earned the Nobel Prize in literature for the author in 1905. As a vision of ancient Rome and early Christianity it has not yet been surpassed, almost a century later., Translated by Stanley F Conrad. Set around the dawn of Christianity with amazing historical accuracy Quo Vadis? won Sienkiewicz the Nobel Prize. Written nearly a century ago and translated into over 40 languages, Quo Vadis, has been the greatest best-selling novel in the history of literature. Now in a sparkling new translation which restores the original glory and splendour of this masterpiece, W S Kuniczak, the most acclaimed translator of Sienkiewicz in this century, combines his special knowledge of Sienkiewicz's fiction with his own considerable talents as a novelist. An epic saga of love, courage and devotion in Nero's time, Quo Vadis portrays the degenerate days leading to the fall of the Roman Empire and the glory and the agony of early Christianity., This glorious saga unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome--from the Forum to the Coliseum, from banquet halls to summer retreats in Naples, from the luxurious houses of the nobility to the hovels of the poor, Quo Vadis richly depicts a place and time still captivating to the modern imagination. This radiant translation by W.S. Kuniczak restores the original glory and richness of master storyteller Henryk Sienkiewicz's epic tale. Set at a turning point in history (A.D. 54-68), as Christianity replaces the era of corruption and immorality that marked Nero's Rome, Quo Vadis abounds with compelling characters, including: Vinicius, the proud centurion who has fallen deeply in love with a mysterious young woman who disappears the night they meet; Ligia, the elusive beauty. Vinicius will not easily win her love, for she is a Christian, one of the group of dedicated believers led by the apostle Peter. Christians are rare in pagan, hedonistic Rome, and suffer great persecution; Petronius, uncle to Vinicius, an elegant, witty courtier who scoffs at love and religion but finds his nephew's passion charming; and Nero himself, enemy of all Christians, a despotic emperor who plunges Rome deeper and deeper into depravity. The decadence of his banquets is staggering; and even worse, his mad laughter is heard echoing in the amphitheater as gladiators duel to the death. As Nero's appalling plans for the Christians become ever clearer, time appears to be running out for the young lovers. Vinicius must come to understand the true meaning of Ligia's religion before it is too late. Grand in scope and ambition, Quo Vadis explores the themes of love, desire and profound moral courage. Lavish descriptions, vivid dialogue and brilliantly drawn characters make this one of the world's greatest epics. Beloved by children and adults the world over, Quo Vadis has been the subject of five films, two of them in English.
LC Classification NumberPG7158.S4Q43 1997

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  • One of the most moving books I ever read! Twice!

    "Quo vadis, Domine?" Where are you going, Lord? The answer is in this book. This is the wonderful, gripping story of early Christians preaching their new religion against the vicious backdrop of Nero's Rome. Evil and corruption are rampant. The Christians are humble and compassionate. Nero's unbridled ego is ready to burn Rome and blame the Christians. Will the meek inherit Rome? Sienkiewicz has written a book for the ages. The Kunizac translation is amazing! It contains much material omitted from other versions. Few books compare with this historic classic. I urge everyone to read this book.

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned

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    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned