Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Ben Hur could be said to be the first blockbuster. When it was published in 1880, it sold over two million copies and was translated into numerous languages. It combines all the best elements of a popular epic action story against a background of authoritative historical details. The pace and immediacy of Ben Hur was the basis of its appeal to film-makers ? Charlton Heston's portrayal in the title role is a classic of the cinema. Wallace's original novel has been largely forgotten now, but as this vivid reading shows, the story, together with the sweeping rhythm of the writer's prose, make it ideally suited to the audiobook.
Synopsis
One of the most popular American novels of all time, Ben-Hur vividly reimagines the oppressive Roman occupation of ancient Palestine and the rise of Christianity. The saga of Judah Ben-Hur's spiritual journey from slavery to vengeance to redemption is both a vivid historical adventure and a powerful story of one man's religious awakening. Born the son of a Jewish nobleman, Ben-Hur is condemned to a life of slavery when his former friend wrongly accuses him of attempting to kill a Roman official. While his mother and sister are imprisoned in a leper colony, Ben-Hur heroically escapes to challenge Massala's domination in a chariot race. Before the cheering multitudes at the Roman Circus in Antioch, he achieves his revenge and glory. But it is later, at the foot of a cross on a hill in Jerusalem, that he fulfills his true destiny.
Synopsis
Ben-Hur is a fabulous book, a mixture of melodramatic adventure and scholarly research. Wallace shows great familiarity with the customs and traditions of Roman and Jewish societies during the time of Christ. Born the son of a nobleman, Ben-Hur is condemned to the galleys for life after he accidentally dislodges a piece of tile which falls on the Roman procurator. He is betrayed by his best friend, manages to escape his imprisonment, and gains revenge and glory before the cheering multitudes in the chariot races at the Roman Circus in Antioch. Later he fulfills his true destiny at the foot of a cross on a hill in Jerusalem.