Iscariot A Novel of Judas by Tosca Lee - Reviewed

About the Book: (from the publisher)
The most reviled man in biblical history comes to life. 

In Jesus, Judas believes he has found the One—the promised Messiah and future king destined to overthrow Roman rule. Galvanized, Judas joins the disciples, ready to enact the change he has waited for all his life. 

But Judas’ vision of a nation free from Roman rule 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 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 and tenuous family life as a devout Jew to a man known to the world as the betrayer of Jesus Christ. But even more, it is a singular and surprising view into the life of Jesus himself, an intricate account that will cause you to ask: “Would I have done the same thing as Judas?”

My Thoughts:

“…I would look back on this day with the wistfulness of remembrance.  I must cherish this.  I knew it even then.”  (p.142)

Tosca Lee tells of Jesus’ ministry on earth from Judas Iscariot’s point of view, and she does it with a gusty and tender approach that will make your heart ache.  You will ache for his losses, you will ache with the love he has for his Savior, and you will ache as you feel his heart break at the crucifixion.  Truly, this is one of the most unique and challenging viewpoints from which to observe Christ’s earthly ministry, and you will be left to ponder what decisions you would have made in his position.

Tosca combines historical Biblical stories in accurate cultural context, and she brings to life details that a 21^st century follower wouldn’t necessarily consider.  In the end, you are left to wonder what final thoughts Judas carried in his heart and mind when he took his own life.  Truly, your heart will grieve with the realization he comes to in his final moments.  You are left to reach deep within and examine your own motivation as a Christ-follower.

This was a book that was both wonderful and painful to read.  I should have read this months ago, but God knew when my heart would be able to receive the message this book contained for me, and that time was now.  I highly recommend this book to everyone.   It is a very important and life-changing viewpoint from which to consider the life of Christ.  Bravo, Tosca!! Bravo!! 

About the Author:

Tosca Lee is the author of the critically acclaimed Demon: A Memoir; Havah: The Story of Eve; and Forbidden: The Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker. In 2010, Tosca left her position as a senior consultant to Fortune 500 companies with the Gallup Organization to write full time. To learn more, visit ToscaLee.com.