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149th out of 556 books
—
489 voters
Great Lion of God
This classic, epic novel by the acclaimed novelist Caldwell, is a fascinating, moving and spiritual story about St. Paul, and the life and times of the Jews, Romans and early Christians during the time of Jesus and shortly thereafter. It is a rich and textured work that combines Caldwell's wonderful literary skills with a profound spiritual depth that reveals the amazing s...more
Hardcover, 621 pages
Published
February 12th 1983
by Doubleday
(first published January 1st 1970)
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I read this book (and several others by the author) a long, long time ago. Putting aside the "disciple" aspect of Luke (which wasn't a factor), I read it because a) he was a physician and b) it's set in the early Roman Empire. Since I've always been into science and did lots of Western (i.e. Greco-Roman) Ancient History and took Latin for six years as a teenager, this book hit on all three.
From what I remember, I liked the book for its own sake. Her novels tend to be longish and rich with detail...more
From what I remember, I liked the book for its own sake. Her novels tend to be longish and rich with detail...more
Paul the Apostle is the subject of Caldwell's story. She has created a man of "leonine" proportions, one who lived as passionately before his Damascus Road experience as afterward. Because I am also reading through the Bible and have been in the book of Acts, it has been fascinating to read coinciding portions. I admire writers who can envision the gaps and take brief comments and expand them in technicolor. Caldwell does that! Paul becomes larger than life as he wrestles with his faith, his hum...more
This is the first book I ever put away unfinished. I was raised to believe it was a special sort of sin to show disrespect to a book, but I just could not make myself continue reading. I had read over 350 pages and NOTHING had happened. This was supposed to be the life of one of the most well-traveled, aggressive and strong-willed individuals in Christian history! This, the first of my many sins against literature, occurred in the early 1970's, when I was incredibly young and naive. Perhaps my o...more
i read this book when it was written in the seventies and decided i needed to read again. st paul is so influential in christianity and this historical fiction turns him into a real person. albeit who knows how his life really was. did put some history in place for me.
an interesting commentary by the author in the foreward..."as the american republic is declining today". written over 40 years ago it could have been written right now.
a good book.
an interesting commentary by the author in the foreward..."as the american republic is declining today". written over 40 years ago it could have been written right now.
a good book.
I didn't particularly appreciate Saint Paul or his writings until I read this book (unabridged). I am not a fan of historical fiction using real persons, but this one is credible and scripturally accurate. I delighted in Taylor's gift of the description (not everyone's cup of tea).
Passionate, detailed, exciting, and an altogether fascinating read. My one complaint is the frequency with which Paul's looks are described. I got it the first time-- in this story, he has red hair, blue eyes, freckles, a unibrow and a leonine way about him. No need to remind us every three pages for the whole flippin' book. Otherwise, great stuff.
Taylor Caldwell brings the biblical character of St. Paul to vibrant life. I would recommend that open-minded Christians read "Search for a Soul" by Jess Stearn to further enhance their understanding of the depth of this writer's perspective.
This story is a fascinating look at the life and angst of St. Paul the apostle. Again, incredible research is obvious in the writing. I have a much greater appreciation of the books he penned in the New Test.
It's been awhile but I did enjoy TC's book especially thinking about the Apostle Paul. My husband read it first and he chose to call our youngest daughter by the love of Paul's former life...Dacyl Kehaulani.
one of my favorites, if not, my favorite. I love the apostle Paul. This is such a wonderfully written fictional story of his life with as much biblical knowledge as possible.
after you read this book, pick up your bible and read any of the books of paul. taylor caldwell has a way of story telling, that brings you inside the tale.
Exelente!!! trata sobre la vida se San Pablo, muy entretenido ver como llego a ser ese hombre santo, y la perspectiva que el tenia sobre Jesus
If one would want to know more about the life of St. Paul before his conversion on the road to Damascus, this is the book to read. A great read!
I read this as a 14 year old and even then it seemed a little over the top - enjoyed it a lot, but I get the feeling it hasn't aged well.
como en todos sus libros, escribe maravilloso, en este libro creo que le faltó algo, por momentos aburría pero termina bien.
Taylor Caldwell is often difficult to read the first few chapters but you soon learn that the effort is worth it.
I started it several times, but it never matched Dear and Glorious Physician.
Mar 20, 2013
Paoo Ilc
added it
faboulus history, beside the long long descriptive chapters...
Sep 12, 2012
Manuel Solorzano
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
1
Excelente ambientación. Lento por pasajes pero muy bueno en general.
Her best biblical character novel by far! I have read it 3 times!
Jan 26, 2009
Jeanette Davis
added it
Extremely exciting, inciteful and intriguing.
My book club picked this book, because this liturgical year is dedicated to St. Paul. As well, we had previously read Grandmother and the Priests by Taylor Caldwell and which we all loved. Caldwell's research into biblical times bears fruit in this immense novel, moving from Paul's upper-class upbringing in Tarsus to his traveling to Jerusalem. I enjoyed very much how the author brought in to Paul's life, prior to his conversion, John the Baptist, Joseph of Arimathea, and of course, Jesus and Hi...more
Another book I enjoyed in High School.
I would NOT recommend this book to anyone! I just didn't like it at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this book and just finished re-reading it thirty-some years after my first time through. The Apostle Paul is my personal hero so it was really fun and really interesting to see how Taylor Caldwell fleshed him out through fiction. Of course, I had my New Testament and Google at the ready throughout the reading, so I learned as I perused:)
Again Taylor Caldwell's story of the disciple Paul before and after his transformative experience was great reading given my own leaning to Paulineian (sp?) ideas -- and yes, I know there are controversies there. Caldwell's Biblical lives fictions are one of my little caches of books which I keep handy.
This has to be my ultimate favorite book of all time. I love this story, again a Christian fiction done lovingly for the reader. Poignant rather than preachy. LOVE IT.
All of us have favorite saints....and I have to say, St. Paul frightens me a bit. I'm such a wimp. Good book though, from what I can recall.
Caldwell's best in my opinion. A rich, dense read about St. Paul.
It was very descriptive and a little boring somewhere in the middle.
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Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it...more
More about Taylor Caldwell...
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it...more
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Mar 31, 2013 12:26pm