JUDAS

by Eric Linklater ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 31, 1939

The last Linklater, The Impregnable Women, was a modern turn on the Lysistrata theme. This is another gesture of similar nature, the story of the betrayal of Christ told in vernacular, with a slightly new interpretation of the character of Judas, and a few analogies to contemporary issues. But all in all it is pretty meagre -- and one wonders why it is written. Judas is portrayed as a devoted follower of Christ, an ally to his cause from childhood on, but a coward and unable to stand by Christ when personal danger heads on. Christ incurs the enmity of the conservatives because his words might possibly involve his people in a war with the tyrant, Rome, and Judas rationalizes his defection by thinking he has saved them from war. To me, a purposeless retelling of the great story, and thin reading.

Pub Date: July 31, 1939

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar & Rinehart

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1939

Categories: FICTION