About the Book
Acclaimed "New York Times" bestselling author Tosca Lee brilliantly adapts the life of Judas Iscariot into a dazzling work of fiction--humanizing the man whose very name is synonymous with betrayal.Based on extensive research into the life and times of Judas Iscariot, this triumph of fiction storytelling by the author of "Havah: The Story of Eve" revisits one of biblical history's most maligned figures and brings the world he inhabited vividly to life.
In Jesus, Judas believes he has found the One--the promised Messiah and future king of the Jews, destined to overthrow Roman rule. Galvanized, he joins the Nazarene's followers, ready to enact the change he has waited for all his life. But soon Judas's vision of a nation free from Rome is crushed by the inexplicable actions of the Nazarene himself, who will not bow to social or religious convention--who seems, in the end, to even turn against his own people. At last, Judas must confront the fact that the master he loves is not the liberator he hoped for, but a man bent on a drastically different agenda.
"Iscariot" is the story of Judas, from his tumultuous childhood to his emergence as the man known to the world as the betrayer of Jesus. But even more, it is a singular and surprising view into the life of Jesus that forces us to reexamine everything we thought we knew about the most famous--and infamous--religious icons in history.
Review :
""Iscariot" is a ride through history and the nature of betrayal and friendship. Surprising characterization, a rich tapestry of setting, and a compelling plot make this an insightful read. Once again, Tosca Lee's storytelling and intelligence shines through her fiction."--Mary DeMuth, author of "The Muir House"
"Reading Lee's "Iscariot" is like seeing the unknowns in the New Testament filled with 'what might have been.' The familiar gains new significance as seen through the eyes of the disciples, especially that one whose motives still baffle two thousand years later. "Iscariot" is rich and wonderfully told, with a haunting message that resonates: What would I have done?"--Tracy L. Higley, author of "Garden of Madness"
"Tosca Lee's "Iscariot" gives you the most plausibly motivated Judas you'll ever see in a novel. This is not a slavering, caricatured, eager-to-be-evil Judas that you can kick in the face as you walk by. This Judas could have been you, or me."--Randy Ingermanson, Christy Award Winning author of "Transgression"
"Have you ever been lucky enough to snag a backstage pass, that special ticket that grants you an exclusive peek into the life of a famous person. This book is your backstage pass to one of the most reviled figures in the history of Christianity. Most Christians have been taught that Judas = evil. We've branded his name. In her compelling page-turner Iscariot, Tosca Lee asks "what if?" What if Judas was actually a little more like you and me? What if his story was not as black and white as we've been told? What if, like us, family history, youthful idealism and unintended consequences conspired to make him appear to be something he wasn't? What if you could see yourself in Judas?"--Jim Henderson, author "Jim and Casper Go to Church" and "The Resignation of Eve"
"In "Iscariot", "New York Times" bestselling novelist, Tosca Lee, takes readers into the heart and mind of Judas, the man whose very name is synonymous with traitor. What led this man to betray Jesus? Seen in the light of his expectations and the culture of his day, Judas's motives take on new clarity. What did Jesus look like to a man who desperately sought a messiah? The answer might surprise you. Edgy, inspirational, this story is stark in its honesty. One cannot look into the heart of a traitor without coming away praying that we will learn from his choices."--Jill Eileen Smith, bestselling author the "Wives of King David" series
"Tosca Lee refuses to let biblical stories turn into stale tales without any current meaning. As she did so brilliantly with "Demon" and "Havah", she brings familiar characters to life in wholly new ways. In "Iscariot", we identify all too easily with Judas' struggles, hopes, and frustrations. Rich in research and powerful in the telling, I couldn't read this book and simply point the finger without first coming to grips with the human frailties in my own heart and mind."--Eric Wilson, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Fireproof"
"A startlingly dark and breathtaking novel. "Iscariot" is both visionary in scope and historically accurate down to the most minute detail--which is an astonishing feat. This is epic, masterful storytelling from one of the most gifted novelists writing today."--Steven James, bestselling author of "Placebo"
"Few writers are able to fully engage the imagination on such a visceral level. Fewer still can take on a character laden with heavy preconceived notions and fully change the reader's mind. Tosca Lee stands head and shoulders above crowds of writers and, with a deft hand and a passionate spirit, grants us a beautiful glimpse into an age old story in a completely new way. Don't miss this book. This journey will peel away the layers of all you know and leave you open, longing, and overwhelmed with God's incredible love for us."--Lori Twitchell, FictionAddict
"How Jesus' suffering and ministry could disappoint or perplex is at the heart of "Iscariot". It is entertaining fiction rooted in the story of Judas and Jesus. It will cause you to reflect and rethink what you know. It is well -done, solid fiction."--Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
"Tosca Lee is a magnificent storyteller. She has the heart of a poet, the mind of the scholar, and the imagination of a novelist. The three have melded here in harmony to produce a thought-provoking, comfort-disrupting, and heart-rattling tale of history's most famous betrayer. But beyond that, "Iscariot "also forces readers to look at Jesus in a new light and consider whether or not they have truly understood the message of the kingdom. "Iscariot" is one of those books that will not soon, if ever, leave your mind."--Josh Olds, Life is Story
""Iscariot" is one of those rare novels that makes you go deep and come out both crying and cheering at once. If you think you know Jesus or Judas, think again. Through meticulous detail and powerful prose, Tosca Lee brings the world a story that will reshape the hearts and minds of many. An absolute must-read."--Ted Dekker, "New York Times" bestselling author
"A work that devours you with its first words. Lee's skills as a researcher and wordsmith have illuminated Judas in a light never seen before. Gone is the simple one-dimensional character who acts as a foil in the crucifixion narrative. In "Iscariot "we have an extraordinary man whose dreams, hopes, and fears drive him to the precipice of his life. Brilliant writing."--Dr. Joe Cathey, professor of Old Testament at Dallas Baptist University
"Tosca Lee's take on the most notorious figure in history is at once highly imaginative and deeply moving. Weaving historical detail, human drama and spiritual insight, "Iscariot" will hold you all the way to its shattering conclusion."--James Scott Bell, bestselling author of "One More Lie"
