THE BIG FISHERMAN

by Lloyd C. Douglas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 16, 1948

This is eagerly awaited by the multitude who read and loved The Robe, to which it is virtually a companion volume. But where The Robe was primarily the story of a young Roman and his rebirth in the spirit of Jesus Christ, this is a story even closer to the Gospel, with Simon called Peter as ""the big fisherman"" -- with the backdrop of the years of Jesus' ministry on earth integral to every phase of the story. The romance- adventure of the young Arabian-Jewess, Fara, injects a note of contemporary value, in symbolizing the conflict that lies at the very roots of the Palestine problem today, but her story, the pursuit of vengeance against her dastardly father, known in the Bible as Herod, rather than Antipas, whose vile deeds have gone down in history,- gives way before the spirit instilled by Jesus. In following her story- and the story of her Arabian lover, who sought her- one gets other facets of the teachings and ministry. But even Fara's life becomes interwoven, as she is given refuge and a home with Simon, and his brother Andrew, and his mother-in-law. Many of the miracles- many of the teachings and preachings familiar to Bible students are integral to the story of the very human Peter, and his painful discarding of his lusty ways, leaving his nets and his fleet, to become the first of the apostles of the man Jesus whom he had spurned. With reverence for his message- with compassionate understanding, Lloyd Douglas has given the Gospel story fresh validity, a contemporary feel in the matter-of-fact handling of the details of every day life. Even the miracles seem a credible part of the whole, a comforting assurance of the untapped power of God in Man. This may lack, for some readers, the sense of discovery of the here and nowness of the people of the first years of the Christian era that was so exciting a quality in The Robe. But no one can read The Big Fisherman without experiencing the urge to turn again to the Bible text for that message so much needed today.

Pub Date: Nov. 16, 1948

ISBN: 1849025738

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1948

Categories: FICTION