I have an original edition of "Mary" by Asch, as well as a version in Yiddish, both of which I have read.

This book interested me because I am a convert from Orthodox Judaism to Catholicism. Asch, an unconverted Jew, portrays the Mother of Jesus in a very positive light, and portrays her authentic Jewishness in a way seldom seen. I highly recommend this book to Jewish Christians, Jews, and Gentile Christians!

It is August 19, 2001 and I checked the original hard cover book out of my church library in June. Two months is a long time for me to read a book, but this one was well worth my time. I have come to understand the differences between St. Peter and St. Paul. I have come to understand how Paul's letters developed from the early ones to the ones written just before his death. This book is the agony and ecstasy of Paul's life. It is a love story of one man for his Lord, and of his mission here on earth. It is beautifully written, a classic that will never grow old.

My husband is 97 years young and this is one of the books that is in his bookcase. All of the books are very old and very useful for study books. I found this one and have been reading it for awhile. I then check it out with the Bible. I have found it to be an excellent book. Sometimes we are not understanding of earlier times because we cannot imagine that life existed like this. Yet according to the Bible it did. If you can get a copy read it and it will enlighten you. The one I read was the Cardinal Paper Back and it cost .50 when he bought it in 1957.

This book profoundly changed my outlook on the Apostle Paul and especially the world in which he was living. Asch is obviously very well read in the NT and history and it shows in all the little facts he weaves into that tale to really bring the times to life. The book is a bit slow at the beginning but hang in there because it really picks up later on. I hope this book will inspire you as much as it did for me.

This book is a long gospel.

It is unbelievably well-written and truly fascinating. The desriptions are vivid and colourful; Sholem Asch is simply great at revealing the mysticism of Judaism. I can only agree that it feels as if he has seen the events with his own eyes; his interpretation is well thought out and and well 'felt out'.

To me this book was a spiritual experience comparable to few others - like the Bible and 'The Glass Bead Game', perhaps.

I read the Brazilian-Portuguese edition, translated by Monteiro Lobato, a well known brazilian writer. He has done a great job, too. The book is absolutely beautiful, captivating, magic. It transposes you in time and space. People and facts are presented with such clarity that it's almost if you were there, watching things happening. It provides an important lesson in the end, too.

Just as the reading of Josephus's 'Works' illumined my understanding of, and appreciation for, the Old Testament and the Jewish heritage of my Christian faith, so did reading 'The Nazarene' inform my understanding of 1st century Jewish life, culture, mores and religious practice. Seldom have I felt so utterly absorbed in the world of an author's creation (A possible exception being 'City of Joy'). I'm having a harder time convincing myself Mr. Asch wasn't a first-hand witness to the events he describes than I would convincing myself he was. For 600-odd glorious pages, I was there amidst all the political and spiritual tumult of the times and the confusion and emotional chaos of those grappling with the life and words of Yeshua of Nazareth, both from within and without the Messianic camp. In 'The Nazarene' I didn't read a book, I had a spiritual experience that - once I've had a chance to distill and absorb it - will profoundly affect the way in which I believe and, therefore, live and exercise my faith. I wish there were ten stars.