Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40663 in Books
• Published on: 1997-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 589 pages

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Polish

The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature
Historical novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in Polish under its Latin title in 1896. The title means "where are you going?" and alludes to a New Testament verse (John 13:36). The popular novel was widely translated. Set in ancient Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero, Quo Vadis? tells the story of the love that develops between a young Christian woman and a Roman officer who, after meeting her fellow Christians, converts to her religion. Underlying their relationship is the contrast between the worldly opulence of the Roman aristocracy and the poverty, simplicity, and spiritual power of the Christians. The novel has as a subtext the persecution and political subjugation of Poland by Russia.

Customer Reviews

Finally a great translation!
I saw the movie as a kid in the fifties and subsequently struggled through the available translation. Despite the quality of that translation, the power of the story came through. This was an accidental purchase (I thought the film was finally available) but a piece of good luck. Like Tina Nunnally's translation of Undset's "Kristin Lavransdatter", Kuniczak's translation clears up any lingering questions that an English-speaker might have had about the power and grace of this story. Great book - great translation!

It's been a long time...
...since I first read this novel. I read it forty years ago when I was a teenager. I have no idea how I first found it, but I have fond memories of having read it. It was one of the first great "adult" books I ever read. Highly recommended for young readers of all ages.

Superb work of literature!
"Quo Vadis" is one of my favorite works of literature. The characterization is generally very well executed and the plot was able to hold my interest throughout. Sienkiewicz created characters who are sure to be loved or supremely disliked by the audience and several characters change throughout the novel making them even more interesting. Despite some historical errors (most scholars now believe Nero didn't order Rome burned), the work was obviously highly reasearched. Sienkiewicz did a fantastic job at showing some of the darker sides of Roman culture; the novel is very violent in places. Sadism is quite blatantly visible in regards to some of the "amusements" the imperial court and circus crowds entertain themselves with. The scene in which Rome burns was protrayed vividly and epicly. Overall, I believe Sienkiewicz deserved a nobel prize for literature for this piece alone.
I read "Quo Vadis" earlier this summer after returning from a trip to Italy. The reading experience was greatly enhanced by seeing some of the sites promently featured in the novel. Although the novel leans Catholic, I believe Christians of about any denomination can enjoy it (I am a Southern Baptist myself). Even non-Christian readers might enjoy the plot and vivid detail.
Personally, I preferred this novel to Ben-Hur (I enjoyed and would recommend both books though).