Quo Vadis ? - A Narrative of the Time of Nero

Henryk Sienkiewicz, H. Sienkiewicz

Hippocrene Books

1997

589 páginas

19h 38m

ISBN-13: 9780781805506

"Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero" is a historical novel that transports readers to the heart of ancient Rome, vividly capturing the tumultuous reign of Emperor Nero.

Winner of the 1905 Nobel Prize for Literature, H. Sienkiewicz has crafted a masterpiece that is not only a gripping love story but also a poignant exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for courage and redemption in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Quo Vadis, the record-breaking international bestseller for which Henryk Sienkiewicz won the fifth Nobel Prize for Literature, is as compelling today as the moment it was written. An epic saga of love, courage, and devotion in the days of the First Century of the Roman Empire... This glorious saga unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome―from the Forum to the Coliseum, from banquet halls to summer retreats in Naples, from the luxurious houses of the nobility to the hovels of the poor, Quo Vadis richly depicts a place and time still captivating to the modern imagination. This radiant translation by W. S. Kuniczak restores the original glory and richness of master storyteller Henryk Sienkiewicz's epic tale.

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.

Set at a turning point in history (A.D. 54-68), Quo Vadis abounds with compelling characters, including:
Marcus Vinicius, the proud noble roman centurion who has fallen deeply in love with a mysterious young woman who disappears the night they meet; Lygia (Callina), the elusive beauty. Vinicius will not easily win her love, for she is a Christian, one of the group of dedicated believers led by the apostle Peter. Christians are rare in pagan, hedonistic Rome, and suffer great persecution;

Petronius, uncle to Vinicius, an elegant, witty courtier who scoffs at love and religion but finds his nephew’s passion charming; and Nero himself, enemy of all Christians, a despotic emperor who plunges Rome deeper and deeper into depravity. The decadence of his banquets is staggering; and even worse, his mad laughter is heard echoing in the amphitheater as gladiators duel to the death.

As Nero’s appalling plans for the Christians become ever clearer, time appears to be running out for the young lovers. Vinicius must come to understand the true meaning of Ligia’s religion before it is too late....
|....|
As Rome swelters under the lecherous tyranny of Emperor Nero, the young patrician Marcus Vinicius finds himself ruled by a far gentler (yet perhaps more dangerous) power: his love for the pure and beautiful Lygia. Yet Lygia is a member of that strange and fledgling cult of Christians, and as such refuses to make the Roman ways her ways. In pursuit of this seemingly unattainable woman, Vinicius is drawn into her world, the world of this Jesus and his followers and his heralds, the fisherman Peter and the Pharisee Paul, and their mysterious message of life everlasting. When the maniacal caprice of Nero lays a terrible charge against the Christians, Vinicius and Lygia and, indeed, every Roman citizen, must decide to whom they will pledge their ultimate allegiance: God or Caesar.

Since its publication in 1896, Quo Vadis has been one of historical fiction’s most beloved works, translated into fifty-plus languages and adapted for film numerous times, most famously in the 1951 version, with Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr starring. Weaving romance, intrigue, violence, human passion, and divine mercy into a seamless literary garment, Sienkiewicz communicates both the intricacy of human history and the invincibility of the living truth.
====
[Quo Vadis — Characters]: Lygia Callina, Marcus Vinicius, Aulus Plautius, Pomponia Graecina, Chilon Chilonides, Ursus, Eunice, Crispus, Acté, Cróton, S. Pedro Apóstolo, Paulo de Tarso, Miriam, Nazarius, Gaius Petronius, Nero, Poppaea Sabina, a Jovem, Marcus Salvius Otho (Otão), Lucius Annaeus Sêneca, Lucanus, Flavius, Galba, Nerva, Tigellinus, Epaphroditus...
====
[Nero Sings!] https://youtu.be/pBIswXv28GI
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quo_Vadis_(livro)
https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quo_vadis%3F_(novela)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quo_Vadis_(novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quo_vadis?
https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_incêndio_de_Roma
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/QuoVadis
https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_Domine_Quo_Vadis
====
'(...) Sienkiewicz was said to have been inspired to write the novel when visiting the Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, Rome, and the novel is strongly imbued with a pro-Christian sentiment, along with many detailed descriptions of the opulence and debauchery of Nero’s Rome. It is informative, exciting, and ultimately uplifting! '-'

Resenhas (106)

5 (Perfeito)

Clássico!!!

Um livro muito bem escrito, eu diria que é um dos grandes clássicos do cristianismo, ao lado de "O Manto de Cristo", "O Segredo do Reino" (Mika Waltari) e "Moisés" (Howard Fast).

Hoje, quando o cristianismo novamente e por outras vias, está sendo perseguido, reler estes maravilhosos clássicos históricos é não só uma maneira de reviver a história de Cristo e daquilo que Ele ensinou, mas de compreender como e por que essa crença tanto perturba uma parcela da humanidade. Naturalmente, a "parcela" a que me refiro é a dos esquerdistas, muito mais que a de outros povos e culturas.

Este livro foi um marco na minha vida: um retrato vívido da velha Roma pagã e cujos governantes viviam imersos em uma vida dissoluta. Um retrato dos povos diversos, da cultura romana que impregnava o mundo. E sobretudo, um retrato da fé cristã que principiava a dar os primeiros passos.

Lígia é o retrato dessa fé nascente: pura, tímida, delicada, porém forte e pronta para enfrentar o mundo, se fosse necessário.

A linguagem é perfeita e os termos do latim (devidamente grafados e com notas explicativas) são um tempero a mais, que encorpa o texto e o aprofunda. Recomendo!