The Gospel According to Lazarus

From the international best-selling author of The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon comes a dazzling new work of historical fiction, retelling the story of the Passion from the point of view of Lazarus.
 
According to the New Testament, Jesus resurrected his friend, but the Gospel of John omits details of how he achieved this miracle and whether he had any special purpose in doing so. The acclaimed novelist Richard Zimler takes up the tale and recreates the story of the Passion from Lazarus’ point of view.
 
Restored to physical health, he has difficulty picking up his former existence; his experience of death has left him fragile and disoriented, and he has sensed nothing of an afterlife. Meanwhile he has become something of a local celebrity, even though he and Jesus are increasingly reviled by the Temple’s high priests. As he turns more and more to Jesus for guidance, while observing his friend’s growing mystical powers and influence through his spiritual activities, he finds their lives becoming dangerously entwined, which tests to the limit their friendship and affection.
 
In this compelling work of fiction the author places Jesus in the historical context of ancient Jewish practice and tradition; he is at once a charismatic rabbi and a political activist who uses his awareness of a transcendent reality—culminating in the Kingdom of Heaven—to try to bring justice to his people and a broader compassion for humankind.
 
With The Gospel According to Lazarus, Richard Zimler brings the familiar story vividly to life and finds fresh meaning in the Passion and Crucifixion.

"I loved The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon." —John Le Carré

"Vividly rendered . . . drenched in atmosphere and period detail." —Wall Street Journal on The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon

"Gripping, richly written and overflowing with historic detail." —New York Times on The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon

"Zimler's literary artistry--highly original and finely nuanced--is undeniable and will surely resonate with many readers of literary fiction..." --Booklist

"Readers of whatever faith, or none, will be fascinated by this unique view of a Jewish carpenter's son whose story has so profoundly shaped the Western world."— Historical Novels Review

RICHARD ZIMLER (b. 1956, New York) is the author of ten novels, including The Search for Sana, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon and The Seventh Gate. He has won many prizes for his writing and has lectured on Sephardic Jewish culture all over the world. He now lives in Porto, Portugal, where he teaches journalism and writes. His latest novel is The Gospel According to Lazarus.