Read more
Barrabas (1896) is a novel by Marie Corelli. Published at the height of Corelli's career as one of the most successful writers of her generation, Barrabas combines Biblical fiction, spirituality, and tragedy to tell the story of the crucifixion from the perspective of the man who was spared. Due for reassessment by a modern audience, Marie Corelli's work-which has inspired several adaptations for film and theater-is a must read for fans of nineteenth century fiction. "The heavy heat was almost insupportable, and a poisonous stench oozed up from the damp earth-floors of the Jewish prison, charging what little air was there with a deadly sense of suffocation. Down in the lowest dungeons complete darkness reigned, save in one of the cells allotted to the worst of criminals..." In one of these cells, the thief Barrabas awaits punishment for his crimes. Expecting death, he goes through phases of despair and rage, trying with all his might-and failing-to break his heavy chains. In another cell, Jesus himself awaits his trial. While their stories are well known, and despite the infamy associated with such names as Judas and Pontius Pilate, Corelli does her best to provide a unique angle on Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on Barrabas, the man who was spared. Addressing philosophical, historical, and religious themes, Barrabas is a moving work of fiction which asks important questions about faith, guilt, and the meaning of Christian sacrifice. This edition of Marie Corelli's Barrabas is a classic work of English historical fiction reimagined for modern readers.
Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
About the author
Marie Corelli can be considered the best-selling author of the Victorian era. She was so renowned that calendars were sold with citations from her books, and a series of postcards representing her could be purchased by her devoted readership. Everybody read Corelli's books, from the most basic shopgirl to Oscar Wilde and Queen Victoria herself. A Romance of Two Worlds, her first book, was distributed in 1886, and it turned her into a best-selling author in England and one of the favourites of Queen Victoria herself, who ended up ordering the complete collection of Marie's books. Despite the severe criticism, her books often managed to break sales records. Marie was the only writer asked to attend the coronation of Edward VII. Marie Corelli's books are inspired, magical, and philosophical. She volunteered to cure the universe's social ills. Among her best works are Barabbas (1893), Thelma (1887), The Expert Christian (1900), Wormwood (1890), The Mystery Power (1921), The Distresses of Satan (1895), The Existence Never-ending (1911), and Transient Power (1902). After World War I, her books were viewed as obsolete, and both interest and sales declined. She passed away in 1924.
Summary
Barrabas (1896) is a novel by Marie Corelli. Published at the height of Corelli’s career as one of the most successful writers of her generation, Barrabas combines Biblical fiction, spirituality, and tragedy to tell the story of the crucifixion from the perspective of the man who was spared. Due for reassessment by a modern audience, Marie Corelli’s work—which has inspired several adaptations for film and theater—is a must read for fans of nineteenth century fiction. “The heavy heat was almost insupportable, and a poisonous stench oozed up from the damp earth-floors of the Jewish prison, charging what little air was there with a deadly sense of suffocation. Down in the lowest dungeons complete darkness reigned, save in one of the cells allotted to the worst of criminals…” In one of these cells, the thief Barrabas awaits punishment for his crimes. Expecting death, he goes through phases of despair and rage, trying with all his might—and failing—to break his heavy chains. In another cell, Jesus himself awaits his trial. While their stories are well known, and despite the infamy associated with such names as Judas and Pontius Pilate, Corelli does her best to provide a unique angle on Jesus’ crucifixion, focusing on Barrabas, the man who was spared. Addressing philosophical, historical, and religious themes, Barrabas is a moving work of fiction which asks important questions about faith, guilt, and the meaning of Christian sacrifice. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Marie Corelli’s Barrabas is a classic work of English historical fiction reimagined for modern readers.
