Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
Reviewed by Mary


"Ben Hur" is one of the most awesome books I've read. Immediately upon closing the book, it ranked in my mind as one of my most favorite books. At times when reading it, I was reminded of _Pilgrim's Progress_, as Lew Wallace skillfully entwines moral truths and Biblical foundations into this can't-wait-to-read-how-it-turns-out drama.
Lew Wallace lived between 1827-1905, during his lifetime being an officer in the Mexican War, a lawyer, Senator, Union major general in the Civil War, governor, and U.S. minister to Turkey. Wallace was a member of the court that tried the one's involved in Lincoln's assassination. His knowledge of Rome and Judea in the time of Christ is stunning.
"Ben Hur" is centered around Judah Ben-Hur, the hero, but it starts off with relating the story of Christ's birth, expounding on the wise men, one of which plays an important role later in the book.
Then it turns to Ben Hur, as he is meeting an old friend, whom he finds much changed after being influenced by Rome's teachers. But soon, an accident happens, an accident which forever changes his life and the lives of his dearly beloved mother and sister (his revered father having died some years ago). The book carries on, with incidents you would be familiar with had you watched the movie, but many more subplots not shown on the movie, including a bewitchingly beautiful Egyptianess, who surprises everyone near the end.
If you've watched "Ben Hur", the movie, you need to read this book and see what you've been missing. If you haven't watched "Ben Hur", you'll still find the book is more than worth going through the occasional history lessons or cultural explanations. I only disliked one part of it : while the book went through the whole life of Christ (which is shown truthfully), it failed to mention His resurrection. But all in all, this is a soundly Christian, action packed story, bound to be a favorite.


| Literature Corner | | Stories | | Girl Talk | | Special Articles | | Words of Wisdom |
| Lookin' Good | | Poems | | URAQT | | Movie Reviews | | Music Reviews | | Archives |
| Links | | Fun Stuff | | Letters from Readers | | Guestbook | | Email the editor |