Par Lagerkvist: BARABBAS

Par Lagerkvist extrapolates what happened to Barabbas after the people chose him to be freed (jnstead of Jesus Christ) during the Passover. The result is a moving parable that can be interpreted in many possible ways. The author shows Barabbas "the acquitted" being persecuted by the followers of Jesus Christ as he himself tries to understand (or embrace) such faith but simply can't for some reasons. It's interesting how Barabbas was supposed to be among those who were caught and charged for arson during the Great Fires of Rome and then executed (by crucifixion) as a martyr. Ironic; or so, I thought.

Par Lagerkvist won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1951. This is the third book by him that I've read, so far. All such books are translations from the original Norwegian language.

Rating: 4.0/5.0