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Mi nombre fue Judas
Siglo I D.C. dos niños juegan en las calles de Nazaret. Los años compartidos, las adversidades y la fe los convierten en maestro y discípulo. Jesús y Judas están unidos por una misma lucha: proclamar la palabra de Dios y desafiar a Roma.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
C.K. Stead
63 books21 followersChristian Karlson Stead is a New Zealand writer whose works include novels, poetry, short stories, and literary criticism.
One of Karl Stead's novels, Smith's Dream, provided the basis for the film Sleeping Dogs, starring Sam Neill; this became the first New Zealand film released in the United States.
Mansfield: A Novel was a finalist for the 2005 Tasmania Pacific Fiction Prize and received commendation in the 2005 Commonwealth Writers Prize for the South East Asia and South Pacific region.
C. K. Stead was born in Auckland. For much of his career he was Professor of English at the University of Auckland, retiring in 1986 to write full-time. He received a CBE in 1985 and was admitted into the highest honour New Zealand can bestow, the Order of New Zealand in 2007.
One of Karl Stead's novels, Smith's Dream, provided the basis for the film Sleeping Dogs, starring Sam Neill; this became the first New Zealand film released in the United States.
Mansfield: A Novel was a finalist for the 2005 Tasmania Pacific Fiction Prize and received commendation in the 2005 Commonwealth Writers Prize for the South East Asia and South Pacific region.
C. K. Stead was born in Auckland. For much of his career he was Professor of English at the University of Auckland, retiring in 1986 to write full-time. He received a CBE in 1985 and was admitted into the highest honour New Zealand can bestow, the Order of New Zealand in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 24, 2023
Well..... It was fairly well written I suppose except for the inclusion of several comments in the modern idiom i.e. 'Jesus was intellectually superior but socially on the back foot' and Judas says 'the wheels were falling off our collective enterprise' there are also modern expletives that I felt sure were not used in those days.
I had not heard of Stead and therefore had no preconceived ideas about his work but I found this to be someone who is simply having a go at Christian belief (ironic that his name is Christian). The author seems to be of the Monty Python school of thought that 'Jesus was not the Messiah but a very naughty boy!' He has made up an entire childhood about which we know very little, depicting Jesus as a precocious, arrogant and unkind person except when trying to charm the crowds that followed Him. Judas is depicted as not a bad chap at all and a voice of reason trying to make Jesus less antagonistic. Jesus is portrayed as power and fame-hungry and eventually 'believing His own publicity' behaving like a madman. I was particularly annoyed at the portrayal of Mary the mother of Jesus as a harried mother of numerous children, she is called a prig and made to sound crazy with her constant gibbering like an idiot who when questioned just grins slyly. It is suggested that Jesus almost despised His mother and that she had abandoned Him. In this book, Bartholomew is present at the Crucifixion of Jesus but there is no Biblical support for that, Bartholomew was a witness to the Ascension. Those present at the Crucifixion, we are told, are Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Clopas, Mary Magdalene, John (who was actually the one beloved of Jesus, not Bartholomew). During His time on the cross, Jesus shows He has love for His mother by entrusting her to the care of His favourite John. Conveniently the author says that Jesus mumbles words that were indistinct whilst dying on the cross. Also present were some of the disciples, members of the Sanhedrin and of course Roman Soldiers. The whole book seems to be written with the type of vitriol against Christians usually shown by someone who has an axe to grind, i.e. a disgruntled ex-Christian or a committed anti-Christian atheist. Although I am disappointed that someone has this sort of opinion of my faith I am also well aware that it has all been said before and we are still here, we have broad shoulders and Jesus can stick up for Himself quite well by the example He left us in the Gospels.
I suppose that the author could also be deemed as anti-Jewish too for the way that he portrays both Jesus and His mother Mary as of course both they and all of the disciples were Jewish and Jesus was referred to as a Rabbi and teacher.
I had not heard of Stead and therefore had no preconceived ideas about his work but I found this to be someone who is simply having a go at Christian belief (ironic that his name is Christian). The author seems to be of the Monty Python school of thought that 'Jesus was not the Messiah but a very naughty boy!' He has made up an entire childhood about which we know very little, depicting Jesus as a precocious, arrogant and unkind person except when trying to charm the crowds that followed Him. Judas is depicted as not a bad chap at all and a voice of reason trying to make Jesus less antagonistic. Jesus is portrayed as power and fame-hungry and eventually 'believing His own publicity' behaving like a madman. I was particularly annoyed at the portrayal of Mary the mother of Jesus as a harried mother of numerous children, she is called a prig and made to sound crazy with her constant gibbering like an idiot who when questioned just grins slyly. It is suggested that Jesus almost despised His mother and that she had abandoned Him. In this book, Bartholomew is present at the Crucifixion of Jesus but there is no Biblical support for that, Bartholomew was a witness to the Ascension. Those present at the Crucifixion, we are told, are Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Clopas, Mary Magdalene, John (who was actually the one beloved of Jesus, not Bartholomew). During His time on the cross, Jesus shows He has love for His mother by entrusting her to the care of His favourite John. Conveniently the author says that Jesus mumbles words that were indistinct whilst dying on the cross. Also present were some of the disciples, members of the Sanhedrin and of course Roman Soldiers. The whole book seems to be written with the type of vitriol against Christians usually shown by someone who has an axe to grind, i.e. a disgruntled ex-Christian or a committed anti-Christian atheist. Although I am disappointed that someone has this sort of opinion of my faith I am also well aware that it has all been said before and we are still here, we have broad shoulders and Jesus can stick up for Himself quite well by the example He left us in the Gospels.
I suppose that the author could also be deemed as anti-Jewish too for the way that he portrays both Jesus and His mother Mary as of course both they and all of the disciples were Jewish and Jesus was referred to as a Rabbi and teacher.
December 26, 2012
My original review of this book was done in 2007 - really a very short review (see below) that said very little about the book. Nevertheless, on the basis of it I was invited by the BBC to submit a question for their World Book Club programme they were doing on C.K. Stead. I was most delighted when they used it!
Here it is.
This work of fiction tells an alternative story of Jesus and Judas, of a boyhood together followed by the path to Jerusalem and, for Judas, beyond to a life far away with a new name.
Knowing the Christian story, I found it hard to figure out if this novel would have been as good to someone who didn't know it. Stead has an excellent reputation, and is highly thought of among my kiwi friends who appreciate NZ writers, so I imagine that this novel has high literary merit. However, the only people I discussed it with were committed Christians. They maintained that they disliked the book because it had no literary merit, but I doubt that. I'm more inclined to think they disliked it because it was plausible.
Here it is.
This work of fiction tells an alternative story of Jesus and Judas, of a boyhood together followed by the path to Jerusalem and, for Judas, beyond to a life far away with a new name.
Knowing the Christian story, I found it hard to figure out if this novel would have been as good to someone who didn't know it. Stead has an excellent reputation, and is highly thought of among my kiwi friends who appreciate NZ writers, so I imagine that this novel has high literary merit. However, the only people I discussed it with were committed Christians. They maintained that they disliked the book because it had no literary merit, but I doubt that. I'm more inclined to think they disliked it because it was plausible.
April 20, 2015
An interesting look at Jesus' life & ministry as seen through the eyes of Judas, his lifelong friend. Judas tells their story 40 years after the death of Jesus.
C.K. Stead managed to take all the elements of the Biblical story and tell it in a non-miraculous way....an earthly way. The writing is very good. It holds a readers interest and reads smoothly.
I felt sorry for Judas. Wanting to believe his friend and wanting to fit in but being the sceptic, he finds himself on the outside of the group. His betrayal: not being able to fully believe.
An interesting spin on the Biblical story.
C.K. Stead managed to take all the elements of the Biblical story and tell it in a non-miraculous way....an earthly way. The writing is very good. It holds a readers interest and reads smoothly.
I felt sorry for Judas. Wanting to believe his friend and wanting to fit in but being the sceptic, he finds himself on the outside of the group. His betrayal: not being able to fully believe.
An interesting spin on the Biblical story.
October 29, 2011
Hard to know what to make of this story really. It is all well written but so much at odds to the Christian story that it is an uncomfortable read. Stead is of course just making all this up - there is no evidence for any of it. However, he writes a very plausible account. He makes Judas and Jesus as childhood friends from slightly different sides of the donkey path, as it were. This makes it possible for the gospel story to be demystified and we have a very earthly and earthy retelling of Jesus life. That is going to appeal to many and horrify others!
December 14, 2020
So convincing had to remind myself was a work of fiction.
May 21, 2021
If you're an avid reader, you'll no doubt nod your head in agreement when I say that every once in a while you come across a book that is such a surprise, that exceeds your expectations by so much, that you devour each and every word. My Name Was Judas is such a book. It sat unread on my shelf for many months and yesterday, after I put it down after burning through it in two short sittings, I lamented why I had left it so long.
It is a truly exceptional book; its genius lies in the familiar. The story of Jesus is one we are all familiar with, but C. K. Stead finds a new and subtly subversive angle on it. He tells the story of Judas of Keraiyot (Iscariot) and his boyhood friend Jesus, and charts their childhood in Nazareth and their growing differences in adulthood as the gifted Jesus becomes a well-known orator and prophet. Told from the perspective of an elderly Judas, it paints a picture of a flawed and charismatic, though very much human, Jesus who is come to be seen by many (and perhaps by himself) as the Messiah, the Christ spoken of in prophecy.
This is where the subtle, subversive genius is evident, as Judas recounts their lives at this time, as the cult of Jesus the Christ grows. Judas struggles throughout the book with his scepticism and his thoughtful agnosticism, causing conflict with the other disciples and their blind faith. In an eloquent passage by the author on pages three through six, Judas finally resolves, in his old age, that he will trust in his reason and rationality.
You see, Judas' "betrayal" was not the thirty pieces of silver, as the gospel writers had it, but that, he alone of all the disciples, did not believe his friend was actually the Messiah, and argued with those other disciples who proclaimed his divinity. Key events in the life of Jesus (the loaves and fishes, Lazarus' resurrection, etc.) are ingeniously shown by Stead to have had rational explanations, or were metaphors that over time came to be seen as literal truth. By presenting an entirely-believable interpretation of the life of Jesus which does not require any magic, any divinity, he plants a subversive seed in the reader's mind. As Judas explains as early as page four, he found "that the less we believed in these [divine] forces, the less they gave us reason to." Once the stories are given rational explanations, the need for magical or superstitious explanations crumbles away, just as a scary shadow on a child's bedroom wall ceases to cause fear once it has been revealed as a trick of the light, or a branch swaying in the wind outside. As someone who has read and thought about atheism and religion quite extensively, I have never encountered such a simple and yet gently potent advocacy of rationalism over superstition as My Name Was Judas.
But the book is doubly special as it is also a good read. Beyond the admirable and eloquent message, it is also very well-written. The prose is clean and the poetry unobstructive, making it accessible to a potentially great number of people. There is a fair amount of anachronistic language but, with the exception of one of Zebedee's utterances at the bottom of page 147, this never takes you out of the story. If anything, it only emphasises the timelessness of the story - that of two friends growing apart.
The characters are also very well-drawn. Judas' recollections never seem self-pitying or biased, Jesus walks a perfectly-balanced line between gifted, thoughtful philosopher and a damaged, insecure man starting to believe his own hype, and the various other characters, from the eleven other disciples to Mary and Joseph and also Mary Magdalene, seem like real human beings rather than pawns in a divinely-ordained game, strongly reinforcing C. K. Stead's secular interpretation of events in Nazareth.
The narrative is also surprisingly engaging, breathing new life into the tired old Greatest Story Ever Told. The crucifixion is especially emotional, as Judas' warnings are not heeded and his friend dies slowly and agonisingly (and pointlessly, perhaps counter-productively) on the cross. As Judas reflects in his old age, that was when he realised once and for all that there was no God, for "if there had been one, and He had ordained this end for His faithful son and servant, He would at that moment surely have died of shame" (pg. 231). As mentioned above, the rational explanations for many of the Bible events are ingenious and more believable than their religious interpretations, particularly the ways in which Stead explains the actions of Pontius Pilate and the reason Jesus' body was not present when his tomb was unsealed.
I also liked the part where a young and confused Judas, in love with a local girl, looks for the love stories of Hebrew literature for guidance and finds nothing. In contrast to the Greek society which is "full of stories of the love of man and woman, man and muse, human and demigod", the only comparable stories in his own society were ones about the love between man and God (pg. 76). This short, subtle paragraph is a damning indictment of the paucity of genuine expressions of love and compassion in Abrahamic cultures, going some way in explaining the stunted social growth of mankind and the endless religious conflicts which have plagued the world for millennia, and continue to do so today.
I have often wondered how one might 'convert', for want of a better phrase, someone to a more open-minded view of their religion. Atheist polemics can be enjoyable to read, but often seem like they are preaching to the choir (again, please excuse the inappropriateness of the phrase). I have concluded that there is no sure-fire way to do so, but one can create doubt, and doubt is not a bad thing. C. K. Stead has managed to create a novel that is subversive and yet also respectful, so that anyone with a truly open mind will be able to engage with it. They will be able to see how religions are created, how the story of one charismatic man can, by a mix of ignorance, hubris and deceit, mutate into a story about the same man being a 'man-god', the Messiah, the son of God. You will begin to wonder how you could ever have believed it in the first place (that is, of course, if you ever did), now that Stead has presented such a believable, rational alternative interpretation of events. My Name Was Judas should be at the top of the reading list for every man or woman who holds themselves to certain standards of conscientiousness, thoughtfulness and intelligence.
It is a truly exceptional book; its genius lies in the familiar. The story of Jesus is one we are all familiar with, but C. K. Stead finds a new and subtly subversive angle on it. He tells the story of Judas of Keraiyot (Iscariot) and his boyhood friend Jesus, and charts their childhood in Nazareth and their growing differences in adulthood as the gifted Jesus becomes a well-known orator and prophet. Told from the perspective of an elderly Judas, it paints a picture of a flawed and charismatic, though very much human, Jesus who is come to be seen by many (and perhaps by himself) as the Messiah, the Christ spoken of in prophecy.
This is where the subtle, subversive genius is evident, as Judas recounts their lives at this time, as the cult of Jesus the Christ grows. Judas struggles throughout the book with his scepticism and his thoughtful agnosticism, causing conflict with the other disciples and their blind faith. In an eloquent passage by the author on pages three through six, Judas finally resolves, in his old age, that he will trust in his reason and rationality.
You see, Judas' "betrayal" was not the thirty pieces of silver, as the gospel writers had it, but that, he alone of all the disciples, did not believe his friend was actually the Messiah, and argued with those other disciples who proclaimed his divinity. Key events in the life of Jesus (the loaves and fishes, Lazarus' resurrection, etc.) are ingeniously shown by Stead to have had rational explanations, or were metaphors that over time came to be seen as literal truth. By presenting an entirely-believable interpretation of the life of Jesus which does not require any magic, any divinity, he plants a subversive seed in the reader's mind. As Judas explains as early as page four, he found "that the less we believed in these [divine] forces, the less they gave us reason to." Once the stories are given rational explanations, the need for magical or superstitious explanations crumbles away, just as a scary shadow on a child's bedroom wall ceases to cause fear once it has been revealed as a trick of the light, or a branch swaying in the wind outside. As someone who has read and thought about atheism and religion quite extensively, I have never encountered such a simple and yet gently potent advocacy of rationalism over superstition as My Name Was Judas.
But the book is doubly special as it is also a good read. Beyond the admirable and eloquent message, it is also very well-written. The prose is clean and the poetry unobstructive, making it accessible to a potentially great number of people. There is a fair amount of anachronistic language but, with the exception of one of Zebedee's utterances at the bottom of page 147, this never takes you out of the story. If anything, it only emphasises the timelessness of the story - that of two friends growing apart.
The characters are also very well-drawn. Judas' recollections never seem self-pitying or biased, Jesus walks a perfectly-balanced line between gifted, thoughtful philosopher and a damaged, insecure man starting to believe his own hype, and the various other characters, from the eleven other disciples to Mary and Joseph and also Mary Magdalene, seem like real human beings rather than pawns in a divinely-ordained game, strongly reinforcing C. K. Stead's secular interpretation of events in Nazareth.
The narrative is also surprisingly engaging, breathing new life into the tired old Greatest Story Ever Told. The crucifixion is especially emotional, as Judas' warnings are not heeded and his friend dies slowly and agonisingly (and pointlessly, perhaps counter-productively) on the cross. As Judas reflects in his old age, that was when he realised once and for all that there was no God, for "if there had been one, and He had ordained this end for His faithful son and servant, He would at that moment surely have died of shame" (pg. 231). As mentioned above, the rational explanations for many of the Bible events are ingenious and more believable than their religious interpretations, particularly the ways in which Stead explains the actions of Pontius Pilate and the reason Jesus' body was not present when his tomb was unsealed.
I also liked the part where a young and confused Judas, in love with a local girl, looks for the love stories of Hebrew literature for guidance and finds nothing. In contrast to the Greek society which is "full of stories of the love of man and woman, man and muse, human and demigod", the only comparable stories in his own society were ones about the love between man and God (pg. 76). This short, subtle paragraph is a damning indictment of the paucity of genuine expressions of love and compassion in Abrahamic cultures, going some way in explaining the stunted social growth of mankind and the endless religious conflicts which have plagued the world for millennia, and continue to do so today.
I have often wondered how one might 'convert', for want of a better phrase, someone to a more open-minded view of their religion. Atheist polemics can be enjoyable to read, but often seem like they are preaching to the choir (again, please excuse the inappropriateness of the phrase). I have concluded that there is no sure-fire way to do so, but one can create doubt, and doubt is not a bad thing. C. K. Stead has managed to create a novel that is subversive and yet also respectful, so that anyone with a truly open mind will be able to engage with it. They will be able to see how religions are created, how the story of one charismatic man can, by a mix of ignorance, hubris and deceit, mutate into a story about the same man being a 'man-god', the Messiah, the son of God. You will begin to wonder how you could ever have believed it in the first place (that is, of course, if you ever did), now that Stead has presented such a believable, rational alternative interpretation of events. My Name Was Judas should be at the top of the reading list for every man or woman who holds themselves to certain standards of conscientiousness, thoughtfulness and intelligence.
August 12, 2013
hmm. well i like the book in a sense that it's nicely written, fairly interesting and kept you going, but also i couldn't take it as a possible historical report (which is not). i tried to put myself into a Christian shoes and it must be pretty offensive to read this, although you do sympathize to Judas the supposedly 'betrayer', and the 'healing' that Jesus did make sense if it isn't being interpreted literally, but i guess i'm biased towards Jesus, and for me it was strange that everything that he did was being rationalized and him being dismissed as almost only as 'a mad man' although the writing was convincing (but i've always been easily convinced) and made you agree to it. at times, it felt like an atheist trying to argue through Judas's character. but it also reminded me with another 'rationalizing' book which i think left deeper 'moving' moments, the Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow. it has a more mystical feeling in it (which i personally prefer) and... female as a main character which was hidden away from 'history' due to patriarchy! hahaha.
well my next on the reading list is Gospel According Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago, and I can tell that this one would be totally filled with blasphemy. hahaha :D
well my next on the reading list is Gospel According Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago, and I can tell that this one would be totally filled with blasphemy. hahaha :D
April 10, 2023
I was captivated as soon as I saw the title of the book in a second hand bookshop while on holiday. I love historical fiction and have particular affection for retellings of ancient stories.
I really enjoyed the perspective of the narrator and the wisdom he offers from looking back on his youth in his old age. I liked that the author didn't intentionally try to white wash Judas as he is known in the Bible. Instead he portrayed both Jesus and Judas as authentic and human, who are influenced and driven by their circumstances and values.
Reading the novel almost felt like reading Judas' memoir, which made it especially interesting to see his version of the events that took place in the New Testament. I found myself agreeing with the author's take on those events because it just seemed so plausible and logical.
Ultimately, I loved reading this novel so much because everything just fits together perfectly for me. The writing, the characters and the retelling of the parables all worked together to make this a masterpiece.
I really enjoyed the perspective of the narrator and the wisdom he offers from looking back on his youth in his old age. I liked that the author didn't intentionally try to white wash Judas as he is known in the Bible. Instead he portrayed both Jesus and Judas as authentic and human, who are influenced and driven by their circumstances and values.
Reading the novel almost felt like reading Judas' memoir, which made it especially interesting to see his version of the events that took place in the New Testament. I found myself agreeing with the author's take on those events because it just seemed so plausible and logical.
Ultimately, I loved reading this novel so much because everything just fits together perfectly for me. The writing, the characters and the retelling of the parables all worked together to make this a masterpiece.
August 7, 2017
Sjajnost jedna!
Zašto bi bilo baš tako kako je netko jednom rekao? Je li uopće tako bilo? Je li uopće i bilo? I da - zašto imam um nego da njime razmišljam i preispitujem stvari? Pa i ovako delikatne, rekli bi neki (jer vidjela sam svakakve komentare na ovu knjigu) bogohulne? Ma, zašto ne - dapače, posebno takve treba proroštati svim vijugama i svakim osjećajem. Ne bez veze. Ne tek toliko "da budeš drukčiji". Nego zaista pametno, smisleno, duboko. Pa ispadne i dirljivo i drago.
Jako volim pametne ljude. Volim ovakva razmišljanja, razmatranja. U mojem svijetu ovo ne da nije bogohuljenje, nego je dobrodošla, zacjeljujuća umotvorina.
Ako ste preduboko (čovjek sâm zna što je to i je li tako) u naučenim kršćanskim pričama (i sad bi me neki rado razapeli, jer to, je l', nisu priče!), onda nemojte čitati. Ali ako želite malo razmišljati, pretumbati vlastita uvjerenja ili potvrditi ih, oh, svakako čitajte. Ovo je divno!
Zašto bi bilo baš tako kako je netko jednom rekao? Je li uopće tako bilo? Je li uopće i bilo? I da - zašto imam um nego da njime razmišljam i preispitujem stvari? Pa i ovako delikatne, rekli bi neki (jer vidjela sam svakakve komentare na ovu knjigu) bogohulne? Ma, zašto ne - dapače, posebno takve treba proroštati svim vijugama i svakim osjećajem. Ne bez veze. Ne tek toliko "da budeš drukčiji". Nego zaista pametno, smisleno, duboko. Pa ispadne i dirljivo i drago.
Jako volim pametne ljude. Volim ovakva razmišljanja, razmatranja. U mojem svijetu ovo ne da nije bogohuljenje, nego je dobrodošla, zacjeljujuća umotvorina.
Ako ste preduboko (čovjek sâm zna što je to i je li tako) u naučenim kršćanskim pričama (i sad bi me neki rado razapeli, jer to, je l', nisu priče!), onda nemojte čitati. Ali ako želite malo razmišljati, pretumbati vlastita uvjerenja ili potvrditi ih, oh, svakako čitajte. Ovo je divno!
February 9, 2009
This was a surprising book for me. I've not read CK Stead and had formed a rather negative view of him (looks such a grumpy chap), and I didn't expect it to be so CLEVER! Well I was wrong. This has been a standout. The writing is extraordinarily clear and the concept cleverly executed. Judas didn't betray Jesus, he just got bad press and Christ was, well, a bit of a pain and the apostles weren't the brightest crayons in the box. Not recommended for fundamentalist Christians
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2011
This is a book that has been very thoughtfully written. For myself - this version seems far more believable than the one in the bible. But like I say - that's just me.
May 5, 2020
This book presents the story of Jesus from the point of view of a seventy year old Judas, who moved to Sidon after the crucifixion and led a peaceful life under a new name. In this version, Judas and Jesus were childhood friends who were taught by the same scholar, the difference being that the father of Judas paid tuition fees while Andreas taught Jesus for free because the boy was incredibly handsome and promising. In due course, the charismatic Jesus became a successful itinerant preacher who was not above playing favorites with his followers. Judas joined their ranks early because the death of his beloved wife in childbirth unmoored him and made him reliant of Jesus. However, as soon as Jesus gave signs that he believed himself to be the Messiah, Judas started to feel very ambivalent about the whole thing. Judas didn't witness any miracles, only evidence of the compassion of Jesus alleviating people's sufferings, and he hated it when Jesus let people believe that he did perform miracles. Judas didn't take money to betray Jesus and only blames himself for not being able to keep Jesus from committing suicide by going into Jerusalem and attacking the Temple authorities publicly. This Judas sounds like the ultimate loyal and level-headed advisor and Jesus like a mercurial and obstinate leader of men who painted himself into a corner, so to speak. Stead pulls it off but the book is not as though-provoking as I hoped it would be.
October 11, 2021
Better than expected. I was given this book by a committed Christian who I think expected a thinly-veiled piece of pro-Christian propaganda. I am certain that had he read it he would absolutely detest it.
I think the idea of The Virgin as an overbearing and stifling figure at odds with her Divine Son and that Divine Son himself a narcissist and a bully would break the tiny mind of the man who gave me this book.
But if you can get past the subversion of expected tropes (a subversion Christians certainly would decry as blasphemous) I think this book tells beautifully an alternative story of the figure of Jesus, and of faith. The story is quite cleverly told in that in Judas’s version Jesus was not the Messiah but still taught and inspired people to live lives as good people, Judas included. In the end it doesn’t matter whether Judas is right or wrong in his belief, whether Jesus really was or wasn’t the Son of God, because the message is the same and the message is what matters.
Modern Christianity doesn’t leave room for this ambiguity; but perhaps it should. I don’t know any Christians who would agree that belief doesn’t matter if you do the right thing. But this novel suggests that maybe if you do your best, if you try, if you do love your neighbour and turn the other cheek as best you can, then whether you believe or not doesn’t really matter. It says if you try to do the right thing, that is enough. If you try.
I think the idea of The Virgin as an overbearing and stifling figure at odds with her Divine Son and that Divine Son himself a narcissist and a bully would break the tiny mind of the man who gave me this book.
But if you can get past the subversion of expected tropes (a subversion Christians certainly would decry as blasphemous) I think this book tells beautifully an alternative story of the figure of Jesus, and of faith. The story is quite cleverly told in that in Judas’s version Jesus was not the Messiah but still taught and inspired people to live lives as good people, Judas included. In the end it doesn’t matter whether Judas is right or wrong in his belief, whether Jesus really was or wasn’t the Son of God, because the message is the same and the message is what matters.
Modern Christianity doesn’t leave room for this ambiguity; but perhaps it should. I don’t know any Christians who would agree that belief doesn’t matter if you do the right thing. But this novel suggests that maybe if you do your best, if you try, if you do love your neighbour and turn the other cheek as best you can, then whether you believe or not doesn’t really matter. It says if you try to do the right thing, that is enough. If you try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2023
Fiind bazată pe evanghelia lui Iuda, romanul descoperă o alta viziune a mitului metafizic.
Naratorul este Iuda la 70 ani.
La prima vedere, cartea pare a fi anti-creștină, blasfemie. Eu aș cataloga-o mai degrabă ca fiind agnostică. Te face să meditezi și să vezi viața lui Iisus dintr-un alt unghi.
“Nu misterul îl respingem noi, ci explicațiile, care păreau, în majoritatea, istorii lipsite de temei, născocite pentru a liniști sau pentru a speria niște copilași. Noi aspiram să fim oameni raționali și practici, care nu se temeau de beznă. Existau destule pricini pentru a ne înfricoșa de cele vizibile și tangibile, fără să adăugăm temerile legate de ceea ce ar fi putut să existe invizibil și intangibil.”
“Aceasta a fost natura “trădării” mele, nu (așa cum Ptolomeu și ceilalți evangheliști ai lui Iisus care treceau prin Sidon povesteau adunărilor care-i ascultau) faptul că aș fi luat treizeci de arginți “pentru informații privind locul unde se afla el”. “Trădarea” mea a fost refuzul de a afirma ceea ce nu puteam crede. O consider acum ca pe o parabolă a mesajului lui Iisus: Crede sau du-te-n iad! Eu nu puteam să cred și nu puteam să mă prefac și, începând de atunci, discipolii lui m-au trimis întruna în iad în istoriile lor.”
Nu recomand persoanelor ultra religioase.
Naratorul este Iuda la 70 ani.
La prima vedere, cartea pare a fi anti-creștină, blasfemie. Eu aș cataloga-o mai degrabă ca fiind agnostică. Te face să meditezi și să vezi viața lui Iisus dintr-un alt unghi.
“Nu misterul îl respingem noi, ci explicațiile, care păreau, în majoritatea, istorii lipsite de temei, născocite pentru a liniști sau pentru a speria niște copilași. Noi aspiram să fim oameni raționali și practici, care nu se temeau de beznă. Existau destule pricini pentru a ne înfricoșa de cele vizibile și tangibile, fără să adăugăm temerile legate de ceea ce ar fi putut să existe invizibil și intangibil.”
“Aceasta a fost natura “trădării” mele, nu (așa cum Ptolomeu și ceilalți evangheliști ai lui Iisus care treceau prin Sidon povesteau adunărilor care-i ascultau) faptul că aș fi luat treizeci de arginți “pentru informații privind locul unde se afla el”. “Trădarea” mea a fost refuzul de a afirma ceea ce nu puteam crede. O consider acum ca pe o parabolă a mesajului lui Iisus: Crede sau du-te-n iad! Eu nu puteam să cred și nu puteam să mă prefac și, începând de atunci, discipolii lui m-au trimis întruna în iad în istoriile lor.”
Nu recomand persoanelor ultra religioase.
November 18, 2021
I'm a sucker for this kind of biblical reimagining. This reminded me a lot of Colm Toibin's 'Testament of Mary' in its dismantling of the mystical elements of Jesus' life.
Stead stuck pretty faithfully to gospel accounts for narration centring around Jesus' life. In fact, large stretches almost read like a weird translation of Matthew or Mark. This had its advantages. It might have been an interesting way for someone unfamiliar with the New Testament to hear 'the good news'. I think since I know the NT relatively well, it was just a bit boring. I would have preferred Stead to be a bit more daring at times, and to not only reimagine gospel events but to add in some completely new ones.
I think Stead probably wrote this in collaboration with a biblical scholar. Some common theological themes cropped up like the 'Messianic Secret' which was interesting. I would have been intrigued to see the book that resulted if he treated this as less of an academic exercise and more of a literary one.
Stead stuck pretty faithfully to gospel accounts for narration centring around Jesus' life. In fact, large stretches almost read like a weird translation of Matthew or Mark. This had its advantages. It might have been an interesting way for someone unfamiliar with the New Testament to hear 'the good news'. I think since I know the NT relatively well, it was just a bit boring. I would have preferred Stead to be a bit more daring at times, and to not only reimagine gospel events but to add in some completely new ones.
I think Stead probably wrote this in collaboration with a biblical scholar. Some common theological themes cropped up like the 'Messianic Secret' which was interesting. I would have been intrigued to see the book that resulted if he treated this as less of an academic exercise and more of a literary one.
March 15, 2021
Am ajuns în acest sat de pe malul mării, în sudul Sidonului, cu patruzeci de ani în urmă, pentru a scăpa de Iudeea, de Ierusalim, de cele ce mi se întâmplaseră acolo şi de tot ce ajunseseră să reprezinte regiunea mea natală şi oraşul sfânt (aşa cum îi spuneam noi). Dorisem să scap de copilăria mea, de rasa mea, de religia şi de greşelile mele; să scap de propria mea istorie, s-o încep iarăşi, s-o rescriu, retrăind-o, oferindu-i ceva ce ar fi putut să fie similar unui deznodământ fericit.
Aidoma tatălui meu, devenisem neguţător de bucate – îndeosebi ulei de măsline, curmale, balsam, sare şi uneori grâu şi orz, când recoltele fuseseră bune. Am prosperat şi m-am însurat (a doua căsătorie, întrucât prima nevastă îmi murise în Galileea pe când eu abia împlinisem douăzeci de ani). Acum sunt tatăl a doi fii adulţi şi a trei fiice şi am mulţi nepoţi. Am ajuns la vârsta de şaptezeci de ani, despre care psalmiştii ne spun că este limita superioară a ceea ce putem pretinde de la viaţă.
Aidoma tatălui meu, devenisem neguţător de bucate – îndeosebi ulei de măsline, curmale, balsam, sare şi uneori grâu şi orz, când recoltele fuseseră bune. Am prosperat şi m-am însurat (a doua căsătorie, întrucât prima nevastă îmi murise în Galileea pe când eu abia împlinisem douăzeci de ani). Acum sunt tatăl a doi fii adulţi şi a trei fiice şi am mulţi nepoţi. Am ajuns la vârsta de şaptezeci de ani, despre care psalmiştii ne spun că este limita superioară a ceea ce putem pretinde de la viaţă.
April 20, 2018
A fascinating character study of one of the most maligned men in history. Very well written and thought provoking. An interesting study of how faith cannot really be reconciled with a lack of understanding. And how a viewpoint and the desire to believe without regarding reality can create legends and stories.
I was prepared to be quite critical of the thesis of Judas surviving but found that his part, being one of the 12, was perhaps more than the chosen pawn to complete a destiny. Intriguing and beautifully written.
I was prepared to be quite critical of the thesis of Judas surviving but found that his part, being one of the 12, was perhaps more than the chosen pawn to complete a destiny. Intriguing and beautifully written.
September 12, 2021
El autor escribe desde un personaje controversial, poco comprendido y bastante juzgado como lo es Judas de Iscariote, para retratar una interesante perspectiva sobre un Jesús muy humano, tal vez incluso desequilibrado mentalmente, proponiendo que las supuestas proezas milagrosas de Jesús están basadas en los rumores que la gente comentaba e iba exagerando a través del tiempo. Una lectura muy entretenida.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2020
Honestly, the only thing I liked about this book is that it has knowledge about what the story of the Bible tells us and with its passages. It is incredible, I am a believer and there were moments within me that told me to stop reading it, because this side of the story of Judas is very cold and dry, something I do not believe in. but the poems are fine and it is only what it is, a novel 🧐🤨
February 10, 2017
I ova knjiga pokazuje da je interes za biblijske teme i njihovo tumačenje neprolazan. Stead na mu ovoj knjizi donosi još jedno ( moguće ) viđenje poznatih nam novozavjetnih događaja. Vrlo inteligentno i pitko napisano štivo koje je originalno i zabavno.
October 17, 2018
The Last chapters were great
May 6, 2019
Me parece muy interesante el hecho de crear una historia alterna desde la historia que conocemos sobre Jesús. Me gustó y creo que vale la pena leerlo
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August 23, 2020Un libro que te cambia la perspectiva de ciertas cosas, hay dos versiones de la historia y creo que vale la pena leer esta.
October 11, 2020
This was either a miserly tale, in which Jesus's life is reduced to the banal or a true story of Judas which explains the reason he acted the way he did, it's hard to know which.
April 13, 2023
Plodded along but was also captivating. Clever approach to familiar stories and all eminently plausible. Enjoyed it and it made for lots of great book club discussion.
March 1, 2017
This book is beautifully written and extremely clever. This is the story we all know from the Gospels but from the point of view of Judas himself. It is Judas reminiscing on their childhood and later relationships. Judas presents us with a much more radical view of Jesus, more subversive. Extremely enjoyable.
August 27, 2014
Încep cu o obiecție legată de prezentarea cărții. Știu că orice editură încearcă să-și vândă cărțile, dar de data aceasta, Editura Nemira a reușit cumva să mă îndepărteze. Am cumpărat romanul lui C.K. Stead, Numele meu a fost Iuda. Apostol sau Diavol?, fiindcă era la reducere, costa 5 lei, și fiindcă sunt interesat de subiectele religioase, iar o carte care să povestească Evanghelia din perspectiva lui Iuda Iscarioteanul poate fi o lectură antrenantă. Dar coperta, adaosul Apostol sau Diavol (care nu apare în titlul original, fiind o găselniță a traducătorului Mihai Dan Pavelescu, un traducător excelent de altfel, pe care îl respect, pentru a atrage cititorii), precum și coperta a patra mi-au dat de înțeles că aș avea în față un roman de duzină, cu intrigă, conspirații, blasfemii, motiv pentru care cartea a zăcut vreo doi ani în bibliotecă, nefiind sigur dacă să o citesc sau nu. Și poate n-aș fi citit-o dacă nu o consideram o lectură facilă, numai bună pentru patru ore de mers cu autobuzul. Însă după câteva pagini mi-am dat seama că m-am înșelat și că am în carte o cu totul altă carte. Nu este vreo capodoperă, dar e bine scrisă și ideea de a pune câte un poem la finalul fiecărui capitol m-a atras, mai ales că poemele sunt chiar bune, ar putea fi publicate separat într-o plachetă de sine stătătoare.
de la sursă: C.K. Stead – Numele meu a fost Iuda – SemneBune http://semnebune.ro/2013/c-k-stead-nu...
de la sursă: C.K. Stead – Numele meu a fost Iuda – SemneBune http://semnebune.ro/2013/c-k-stead-nu...
November 27, 2014
While certainly not one of the best novels that I've ever read, the author succeeds in what he sets out to do brilliantly. His goal of writing a skeptical view of the life and death of Jesus, from the point of view of Judas the betrayer, is crafty, believable and very well done. Before starting this novel, my expectations were not very high and it certainly was better than expected.
The main issue that I have with the novel is that it seems, at least in some ways, to uncritically buy into the Christian view of Judaism--that the Jews were expecting a "Divine" Messiah who would be the "Son of God"--that is put forward in the New Testament. Anyway who has researched this topic should know that the authors of the gospels, who were obviously quite Hellenized, either misunderstood or misportrayed the Judaism of the first century CE. Thus in my view, this early critique of Christianity could have been a bit more pointed and ruthless. But regardless of this, C. K. Stead's novel does an excellent job of showing how a naturally skeptical Jew, helped along by Greek philosophy, might have viewed the mission and person of Jesus.
The main issue that I have with the novel is that it seems, at least in some ways, to uncritically buy into the Christian view of Judaism--that the Jews were expecting a "Divine" Messiah who would be the "Son of God"--that is put forward in the New Testament. Anyway who has researched this topic should know that the authors of the gospels, who were obviously quite Hellenized, either misunderstood or misportrayed the Judaism of the first century CE. Thus in my view, this early critique of Christianity could have been a bit more pointed and ruthless. But regardless of this, C. K. Stead's novel does an excellent job of showing how a naturally skeptical Jew, helped along by Greek philosophy, might have viewed the mission and person of Jesus.
December 23, 2012
Such a brave idea - to write a life of Jesus through the eyes of his apparent betrayer, Judas, and to make Jesus entirely human, with jealousies and angers, but also with a firmness of will and purpose, and a charisma that makes his ability to attract devoted followers completely believable. In this book, Judas and Jesus grew up together, and Judas (who did not hang himself from the fig tree, but lived to be old) recounts the story, from Jesus' childhood through to his death. As a narrator, Judas speaks with a measured calm but no lack of emotion. He brings a humanist, rational lens to the miracles and other significant events, providing everyday reasons for them but allowing for belief and the possibility that Jesus was truly touched by the divine.
This is a short book, given the subject matter, but I felt everything was here that was needed to do the story justice. Stead's prose is spare but absolutely hums with emotion. It's clear that Judas loved his beautiful, inspiring, perplexing and frustrating friend, and profoundly regrets his loss. The book is moving, knowledgeable, fair and compassionate. I thought it was wonderful.
This is a short book, given the subject matter, but I felt everything was here that was needed to do the story justice. Stead's prose is spare but absolutely hums with emotion. It's clear that Judas loved his beautiful, inspiring, perplexing and frustrating friend, and profoundly regrets his loss. The book is moving, knowledgeable, fair and compassionate. I thought it was wonderful.
October 29, 2012
Hmmm well what did I think? Quite a lot really, this was a book club read and I felt deliciously controversial as many have such firm views about religion and its origins.......
C.K Stead in rather a ballsy move has taken the story of Jesus and given Judas the starring role as the protagonist (rather a likable chap). The premise is that Judas did not die but changed his name, moved to Greece enjoyed a full and productive life. As the sun sets on his journey we encounter him musing the "miracles" and more audacious acts of Jesus's proclamation that he was the Son of God.
To be frank my deep understanding of gospel and Scripture is somewhat sketchy. It was however refreshing to think that this could be an alternative. Given that when we play Chinese whispers the truth is mangled very quickly, what has two thousands years and multiple translations done?
I have no idea how much research was undertaken to write such a novel - I would hope some. Nor do I know what kind of reception this book received when originally published but I do feel better off having read it.
C.K Stead in rather a ballsy move has taken the story of Jesus and given Judas the starring role as the protagonist (rather a likable chap). The premise is that Judas did not die but changed his name, moved to Greece enjoyed a full and productive life. As the sun sets on his journey we encounter him musing the "miracles" and more audacious acts of Jesus's proclamation that he was the Son of God.
To be frank my deep understanding of gospel and Scripture is somewhat sketchy. It was however refreshing to think that this could be an alternative. Given that when we play Chinese whispers the truth is mangled very quickly, what has two thousands years and multiple translations done?
I have no idea how much research was undertaken to write such a novel - I would hope some. Nor do I know what kind of reception this book received when originally published but I do feel better off having read it.
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