Interesting novel. Lagerkvist has shown great creativity in handling the well-known story of the Christian Passion. He focuses on the perspective of Barabbas, the criminal who, in the biblical account, was released in place of Christ. Barabbas is portrayed as a troubled and searching individual who truly desires to believe in Jesus but struggles to do so. Fortunately, the traditional Scandinavian moralizing tone is absent from this work. It is nicely written, with some truly beautiful passages. In many ways, it evokes the life both on the margins and at the center of the Roman Empire. However, in my opinion, Lagerkvist could have delved deeper into the psychological portrait of Barabbas and made the novel longer. As it stands, there is a bit too little substance, a bit too much "skin and bones." Overall, it is an interesting read, but it could have been even better with a bit more development. (rating 2.5 stars)

Barabbas is a figure who holds great significance in religious and literary contexts. In the four canonical gospels, he is mentioned briefly as a thief or insurrectionist, and as the one chosen by the Jews to be acquitted instead of Jesus Christ. Pär Lagerkvist, a Swedish poet, dramatist, and novelist, took these scant details and wove a fictional life story of Barabbas in the historical setting of the first century. His short novel, published in 1950, was immediately recognized as a masterpiece and earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature the following year.

Lagerkvist's exploration of Barabbas delves into profound themes such as good and evil, and the search for meaning in a world filled with violence and chaos. Barabbas, after being acquitted, finds himself facing a new reality. He watches the crucified Jesus from a distance and is astonished by the hold this defeated figure has on him. He begins to question his own life and the meaning of his salvation. The people who follow the new sect that worships Jesus claim he is the redeemer, but Barabbas knows that he was the one truly saved.

As the story progresses, we witness Barabbas' internal struggle between skepticism and faith. His relationship with Sahak, the slave, can be seen as a parallel to his relationship with Jesus. The end of this relationship symbolizes Jesus' death in his place once again. Lagerkvist's portrayal of Barabbas is a complex and thought-provoking one, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the nature of salvation.

Review in English: This review provides a detailed analysis of Pär Lagerkvist's novel "Barabbas". It explores the significance of the character of Barabbas in the context of the gospels and Lagerkvist's fictional treatment of his life. The review highlights the novel's exploration of themes such as good and evil, and the search for meaning in a violent world. It also examines Barabbas' internal struggle and his relationship with Sahak, as well as the novel's overall literary merit. Overall, the review offers a comprehensive and engaging look at this important work of literature.

Love's Way - Pär Lagerkvist

Translation - K. N. Subramaniam

Since I started my search for Tamil translations, I have come across many names. But the one name I have searched and asked for the most is K. N. Subramaniam. He has translated many books into Tamil.

During the time when Russian literature was widely read and translated in Tamil, K. N. Subramaniam turned his gaze towards European literature and its masters. This perhaps inspired me to embark on a journey towards him and his translations. In the course of this search, I came across Love's Way.

Love's Way is a Scandinavian novel written in Swedish in 1950 and won the Nobel Prize. Although it was written in the 1950s and the novel only talks about a particular religion, it can be compared with all religions and its charm can still be relevant today. This quality makes Love's Way a must-read work.

Love's Way presents the struggle between true faith, blind faith, and superstition, both through the path of Christianity, the greatest religion in the world, and through the eyes of an outcast named Barabbas. It conducts a very long philosophical exploration in the reader's mind.

The novel begins with Barabbas watching from a distance as Jesus Christ is crucified in place of him, according to the decision to release a prisoner during the Passover feast in Jerusalem. He also witnesses the miracles that occur after Jesus' death.

Barabbas starts to wonder why a pure person is punished and killed in his place, and this gives rise to a sense of guilt and confusion in him. He leaves his group with this confused state of mind.

The outcast, the leader of the gang, the murderer who has come back from the dead, and the fact that he touches the one who has come back are all considered miraculous and a boon for the celebration by his gang. But the guilty mind of Barabbas is not satisfied with all this.

In the meantime, Barabbas hears about the life and sufferings of Jesus in Jerusalem, and the miracles that he will rise again. He follows the people who praise Jesus.

Even though he follows them, he cannot fully accept the miracles they talk about or the evaluations of Jesus. He cannot leave and walk away either. In fact, if Jesus is truly the Son of God, the Savior of the world, why didn't he save himself? Why did he have to sacrifice his life for the good of the world and the people? What exactly was his suffering? How did he teach people to love one another? These questions and doubts in his mind prevent him from acting as he did before with his gang, and he leaves them.

Many years later, Barabbas is working as a slave in a mine with a fellow slave named Sahak. Sahak has never seen Jesus or his miracles, but he praises God, prays fervently, and firmly believes that Jesus will come to save the world.

Even though Sahak has not had such visions, he learns about Jesus and his miracles from Barabbas, who has seen them. In this situation, Barabbas and Sahak escape from the mine with the help of someone and are brought before the Roman governor for trial.

During the trial, Sahak confesses that Jesus is his God and accepts the death penalty. Barabbas, on the other hand, denies that there is any God for him and is released. After Sahak's death, Barabbas is overcome with guilt and mental turmoil.

In this state, when the governor is about to go to another place, Barabbas is called along with him. There, he follows the people who praise Jesus and testify to his miracles. Later, he learns that Jesus was crucified in his place and that he himself was brought here because he denied the existence of any God. He is also rejected by them.

With this mental turmoil and a sense of guilt, Barabbas participates in a rebellion against the religious groups out of blind faith, not knowing that a situation is being created there.

Finally, what happens to Barabbas, what is the situation and its consequences there, how does he finally understand the religion that teaches only love and its charm, how does he recognize Jesus who taught to love everyone and do good, and what is the destruction that occurs there due to his blind faith - all these are the end of the novel.

In fact, Sahak, who has not seen Jesus or his miracles, has a firm faith, a sense of surrender, and the courage that comes from it. He stands up to death saying that Jesus is his God. On the other hand, Barabbas, who has seen all of Jesus' miracles, rejects them all. He also participates in the rebellion out of blind faith, not knowing that a situation is being created there.

At the beginning of the novel, Barabbas is misled and falls into a sense of guilt. At the end of the novel, he believes that he has been destroyed by the destruction caused by the situation created there. He himself causes the destruction and dies crucified. This is the climax of the novel.

Love's Way presents a great philosophical event by presenting the concept of faith, the single question of what is faith, its various forms, and the contradictions within it.

In fact, what is faith and how is it achieved? Does it only arise from personal faith or can it be achieved through visions? If it only arises from personal faith, why were such miracles not given to Sahak? If it can only be achieved through visions, why did Barabbas reject them completely after seeing them? Love's Way also conducts a brief exploration on the meaning of faith.

In fact, here, neither personal faith in one thing nor complete rejection is a problem. They are both investigations and logics that are only carried out within their own limits. But there is no such thing as blind faith that does not fit into either of these two, and the ignorance that arises from it. It is not something that can be completed only within its own limits. There is a lot of cruelty and destruction that occurs here.

Love's Way is a novel that documents how the inner turmoil, loneliness, and confusion that occur in the soul of a guilty person, and how even the religions that teach only love are lost and lead to destruction through the way they are understood.

Although K. N. Subramaniam's translation is accurate and the original language is Swedish, I had the opportunity to read some parts of Love's Way in its English translation. I was able to feel that the questions and philosophical discussions it poses are still dense, direct, and can be closely examined. Even though there is a slight lack of density in the Tamil translation, K. N. Subramaniam is definitely worthy of appreciation for the books he has translated into Tamil, including Love's Way.

Pontius Pilate made a fateful decision. He freed Jesus Barabbas, a criminal, and chose to keep Jesus Christ as a prisoner. Par Lagerkvist then delves into the story of what unfolds for Barabbas after this momentous event.

Barabbas was conceived and born in a state of hatred towards all that was created in heaven and earth, and even towards the Creator Himself. However, he is not presented in a completely negative way. This acquitted criminal has a very human problem. He desires to believe, but there is something holding him back. He is afraid of death. Even the presence of the Son of God is not enough to sway him. Barabbas witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus, the persecution of the early Christians, and even the stoning of one of them. One of the closest moments he comes to Christianity is when he wrongly associates it with violence. It is only then that he is mistaken for a Christian.

Barabbas is a complex figure. He is neither a pagan nor a Christian. It seems impossible for him to adhere to any particular creed. He is like an isolated soul adrift in the vast sea of beliefs. But there is a certain dignity about him that comes from a unique kind of solitude. This solitude is something that Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed did not possess. He has an interiority that is too precious to be confined within the boundaries of just one religion. It is a story that makes us question our own beliefs and the nature of faith.

I had no knowledge of Barabbas until I came across this book.

Of course, in reality, nobody truly knows about Barabbas, aside from the brief mentions he received in the gospels.

However, Pär Lagerkvist weaves a truly captivating tale.

Yes, it is fiction, but it is fiction of the highest caliber.

It is the kind of fiction that elicits genuine emotions within you.

It is fiction that makes you wonder and沉思.

It takes you on a journey through the mind and experiences of Barabbas, making you question and reflect on his actions and the events that led to his infamous status.

Lagerkvist's writing is so vivid and engaging that you can't help but be drawn into the story and become invested in Barabbas' fate.

It is a remarkable piece of literature that brings a lesser-known figure from history to life in a way that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

Barabbas is the individual who was acquitted in Christ's stead - and, indeed, the only person for whom Christ literally died. Perhaps, then, he could serve as a parable for the entire Christian world? Personally, however, I don't view this book as a parable. I think the story is titled Barabbas because the author, in discussing humanity in general, needed a central figure around whom the story could revolve (the name always reminds me of Ross). Barabbas happened to be a good choice as he is alive because Jesus died for him. He has a very direct connection with Jesus, being closer to Christ than anyone else and unable to get him out of his mind.

But this connection exists only on the surface. He has not conversed with the same and has seen him only in the final moments when he was being humiliated and suffering terribly for spreading the message of love. Additionally, Barabbas himself has a past filled with hatred - his father was a bandit, his mother gave birth to him while cursing the world that Jesus was to bless, his own brother tried to kill him, and he is himself a bandit. Naturally, he finds the idea of 'loving one another' insane. And thus, even the miracles he encounters are not sufficient for him to believe in a messiah he doesn't understand.

As I mentioned, Barabbas is only a pivot, and the story is just as much about the characters around him. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus doesn't seem to have given much thought to who would have the fortune of being in his divine presence during his earthly ministry; asking total strangers to his scriptures to follow him and so on - there is little to suggest they deserve it. Just think, some Roman soldier must have had the opportunity to nail Christ's divine hand to the cross, and we don't even know the name of that notorious fellow! This seems to be a common issue with other Abrahamic messiahs as well - God decided to place Mohammad in a desert too. Moses was an exception, being born into a royal family of one of the greatest civilizations of his time - but he quickly corrected that by leading his people into the desert.

In any case, the point is that, like Barabbas, the early Christian folk seem to be ordinary individuals lacking any charisma. So, what chance did the followers have of understanding the divine message? Christ's 'love each other' is a mystery to people living in a time when physical violence is common, slavery is practiced, and people enjoy torturing victims - whether it be crucifixion or stoning. It is so far beyond everyone's comprehension that understanding is not the way. All that remains, despite the miracles and all, is faith.

These are the difficulties that Barabbas faces on his path to belief - for he wants to believe. Before he was acquitted, he had to spend days in a dark prison, with nothing but the prospect of a painful and humiliating death to look forward to. Now that he is free, he has an awareness of his inadequacy, of the powerlessness of a human and his short life. Like Lazarus, whom Jesus also saved, the'saving' has not restored him to what he was before. There is a longing in him - to believe in something. And, unlike many of us modern people, he has no alternatives in the form of a philosophical system, nor is he gifted in any art forms or has a family to support. And so, like a star-crossed lover, he keeps alternately refusing and returning to Christ.

While there are miracles in the book, they only serve to raise questions. Christians are constantly persecuted, but that doesn't change anything. The book has one foot in both the boat of belief and the lack thereof, and it manages to balance brilliantly.

In my opinion, I-am dat 5 stele pe merit.

This statement holds a certain significance. It implies that in my view, something or someone has achieved a rating of 5 stars based on merit.

The merit could refer to various qualities or achievements. It might be related to performance, skill, effort, or other aspects that are considered valuable.

The link provided, https://cristina-v.blogspot.com/2020/..., may offer further context or information related to this assessment.

It could potentially be an article, review, or discussion that elaborates on the reasons behind the 5-star rating.

By clicking on the link, one might gain a deeper understanding of what exactly is being evaluated and why it is considered to have such a high merit.

Overall, the statement "I-am dat 5 stele pe merit" indicates a positive assessment, and the accompanying link provides an opportunity to explore the details further.

I have enriched my collection of biblical-themed novels with this Gospel according to Barabbas. During the reading, I questioned a lot about the protagonist, a true misanthrope. He is a remarkable character, told with great economy and thus shrouded in mystery. The encounter with Jesus - an encounter from a distance - marks him. A world of love, but what absurdity is this? A possibility not granted to him, which will torment him for all his life and make it worse, if possible.

The author reveals little of his past, but with an omniscient narrator's approach, which has no equal in the rest of the novel, he reveals a detail that no character in the novel can know. Apart from this, it is an excellent read. Gloomy, ugly, unyielding, ungrateful, suffocating, excellent.

This novel offers a unique perspective on a well-known story. The portrayal of Barabbas as a misanthrope adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The way the author weaves in the encounter with Jesus and the subsequent torment of Barabbas creates a sense of tension and drama.

Despite its dark and difficult themes, the novel is also beautifully written. The use of language is evocative and the descriptions are vivid, bringing the story to life. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you have finished it.

A Ba Ba Ba Ba Barabbas
Ba Ba Ba Ba Barabbas
Ba Ba Ba Barabbas
Ba Ba Ba Ba Barabbas
Ba Ba Ba Ba Barabbas
You got me readin' and a rollin', readin' and a thinkin' Barabbas

I just read a fascinating book. It was about a guy who was forsaken. His name was Barabbas. The story was so captivating that I thought I'd take a chance and share it with you - Barabbas.

Give this book a try. As you read it, you'll feel a strange emptiness inside. It's the kind of emptiness that makes you think deeply about life and its meaning. Barabbas
Ba Ba Ba Ba Barabbas

Scrissi il 18 marzo 2017 su anobii.

Dio è morto.

[Di Pär Fabian Lagerkvist, il va sans dire, non conoscevo nemmeno il nome ma grazie alla “mia terza pagina anobina”, venni a sapere di un tris imperdibile: mi piacque il titolo “Il boia” ma mi ritrovai con due gentili doni: Il Nano e Barabba. Naturalmente ho iniziato da questo, perché diciamocelo: un ateo è attratto dal cast evangelico come l’orso col miele; e, in seconda istanza, per una certa repulsione verso l’universale curiosità a guardare gli acondroplastici dal buco della serratura, con la scusa di farne il vessillo della diversità…]

Così iniziai ieri il commento e poi mi lasciai andare a facili paralleli con l’oscena attualità, usando la foglia di fico della filologia del nome, o semplice soprannome, “bar-abba”: figlio del padre*.

Era vigliaccamente un girare attorno alla ciccia del libro per il pudore di dover affrontare il dolore di un ateo che cerca il senso della vita, ricerca che per me non ha più senso (mi si scusi il gioco di parole). Anche Lagerkvist, pur da ateo senza spregiudicatezza, la prende alla lontana scegliendo Barabba a simbolo dell’uomo che non ce la farà mai a credere al di là dei suoi sensi. Vuole essere lo scienziato che trova la formula per dimostrare la validità di un teorema: non si potrà mai credere se non per cieca fede.

Le condizioni per la conversione in Barabba, infatti, ci sono tutte: viene graziato a furor di popolo al posto di quel piccolo uomo che seguirà, nascosto, fino al suo spirare sulla croce e che seguirà alla tomba vegliando sulla resurrezione a cui non crederà nemmeno quando la vede vuota.

Seguirà furtivo i seguaci per carpirne il segreto della fede; sarà testimone del loro caritatevole comportamento. Si troverà nei momenti cruciali della loro persecuzione e sarà con loro imprigionato e persino accusato di essere cristiano: perde la forza di abiurare senza acquistare quella di credere.

E per uno scherzo del destino morirà in croce come lui, ma da solo, in disparte dai martiri giubilanti e con una sola certezza: la morte, a cui affida la sua anima in un’ultima contraddizione.

Se non ha potuto credere Barabba con quel popò di opportunità sotto mano, come può farcela un ateo incallito del terzo millennio che ha smesso di interrogarsi sul senso della vita, che ha accettato fideisticamente di non essere nient’altro che un incidente "da quando dagli atomi a caso fu generata questa cosa che chiamiamo Mondo”, come recitava ispirato Albertazzi;

che guarda alla sofferenza, sua e degli altri (non sempre, ma capita), come un concatenarsi di cause da sconfiggere o da addomesticare e mai come prova divina per una redenzione dell’anima;

che, a differenza di Barabba, non può confrontarsi con gli apostoli di Cristo e non vede niente di migliore di sé in chi si batte il petto o che va in pellegrinaggio a Medjugorje o alla Mecca, gente pronta a smettere le vesti di credente per un giorno e ricominciare a ergere muri, posizionare fili spinati, sganciare bombe su donne e bambini, dilaniare se stesso in mezzo a una folla stupida ma innocente.

Il tempo delle domande su Dio sembra irrimediabilmente finito assieme alla fine dell’homo sapiens e alla sua sostituzione con l’uomo consumatore.

Non più infelicemente ateo per manifesta impotenza della mente ma per mutazione genetica. Uguali ma diversi da Barabba. Dio è definitivamente morto.

*nella mia lingua: figghiu di so’ patri (individuo furbastro, corrotto e corruttore tale e quale il padre)

Simplicity can indeed be a remarkable advantage when it comes to telling a story. Many renowned writers have employed extremely spartan methods and yet managed to leave an impression that is far from one-dimensional. However, achieving this is no easy feat. It involves using minimal means to convey a great deal, with there being something hidden beneath the surface, a richness for the reader to uncover. This is where my trouble with Barabbas begins. It is not only written in a sparing manner, but it doesn't truly seem to hold more than the bare words that are strung together.

When I picked this book from the shelf, I was in search of a portrayal of the psychological torments that a man like Barabbas might experience. I think I was hoping for something similar to Bulgakov's depiction of Pontius Pilatus. I am deeply intrigued by religious and psychological themes, and the story of Barabbas sounded as if it was marred by the guilt of being alive, the trauma of having nearly been crucified, and an unhealthy fixation on the man who was sacrificed in his place. These aspects are somewhat touched upon, but only briefly. The story progresses rapidly, Lagerkvist hardly lingers on anything, and as a result, we don't learn much about the inner world of Barabbas. Lagerkvist almost appears disinterested. The book simply feels devoid of enthusiasm, wonder, or curiosity. Things occur, but we don't really register them, nothing seems to be of any significance, and one can't help but wonder what Lagerkvist is trying to convey.

The other issue I had with this book is its writing style. It is highly repetitive, yet not in an intentional way. The same words are used over and over again, without any obvious (aesthetic or otherwise) reason. Instead, this gives the book a sense of being unimaginative and, once again, uninspired. I don't feel as though I'm taking anything away from reading this book. I suppose I simply long for more in-depth psychological discussions (especially when paired with religion and its impact). Unfortunately, it seems that I will have to look elsewhere for this.

Every day is a day you can read about Barabbas! Think about it!

Take this opportunity! Barabbas is a figure with great significance in history and religious texts. By reading about him, we can gain a deeper understanding of the context and events of that time. It allows us to explore the人性 and choices that were made. Whether you are interested in history, religion, or simply a good story, learning about Barabbas can be a fascinating and enlightening experience. So, don't miss out on this chance to expand your knowledge and broaden your perspective. Open a book, turn on your device, and start reading about Barabbas today!

You never know what new insights and revelations await you.