(Originally posted as "The life and death of . . . Iscariot" on April 21, 2013.)
If you've read Demon . . . a memoir, and/or Havah, The Story of Eve, and now Iscariot: A Novel of Judas, you have learned that Tosca Lee is no amateur in scholarly research and an over-achiever when it comes to inciting thoughtful questions regarding biblical accounts. In order to write Iscariot, Tosca used over 100 books and a personal trip to Israel to attempt to answer her questions about the reviled Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. Never short on meaningful and often beautiful prose stuffed with stark imagery, Tosca Lee has given readers a possible rendition of the man we love to hate.
Giving Judas a frantic and fearful childhood fleeing the Romans with his family, The Law dominates their lives as they faithfully complete all of the Temple rituals. Awaiting a Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule, they pursue an earthly kingdom for Israel, the two brothers hoping for eventual positions among the religious elite.
Tragic loss shoots pain and suffering into Judas' life, ripening his need for a savior. Iscariot suggests the troop of disciples struggle to grasp the ministry of Jesus but commit themselves to Him without fully understanding why. They grow to love Him, devote their lives to pursuing His ministry but are often confused by His teaching and His supposed flouting of The Law which the Pharisees vehemently insist is blasphemy. Judas in particular vacillates between awe and accusation and can't quite reconcile Jesus' conduct to the proper behavior of a Jewish man. Continuing to cling to personal ideas of Jesus as the earthly Messiah of Israel, Judas decides Jesus needs his assistance to survive the threats of the chief priests.
Iscariot, A Novel of Judas, by Tosca Lee, published by Howard Books, A Divison of Simon & Schuster, will challenge your opinions of this man whose name is synonymous with horrendous betrayal. Giving him a history, a personality, a relationship with family, religious men, and Jesus, Iscariot presents a plausible story of a man who can't quite graduate beyond the legalism of The Law. Can't quite believe the stunning and repeated examples of the miraculous and can't quite embrace the true generosity of this Jesus to the least of society. And definitely can't accept Him as the real Messiah.
Iscariot is what the title suggests. We hear the self-told story of Judas, and we learn of his ingrained attachment to the rituals of religion, the pull of life on earth as opposed to the true Kingdom of Heaven. We know how it ends – hearing it from the Epilogue presented first - but we get many of the blanks filled in from story.
We know the Word of God is both specific and vague. There is not a great deal of information about Judas, and there's no reason to assume this isn't intentional. If I had to fault this novel, I would probably address the specifics of Luke 22:3 which tells us that Satan entered into Judas just before he went to the chief priests. Iscariot takes a more sympathetic approach to Judas and doesn't allude to this compelling and telling verse.
I can tell you this: it is possible for me to appreciate, even admire, a novel without liking it. Iscariot is very well done, at times almost Hemingway-ish in style which is odd since Tosca said the original manuscript was "nearly three times the length" of this book. And yet at times, it's poetic, visceral. Historical fiction, perhaps especially biblical historical fiction, is not my preference, but with Tosca as the author of such an intense endeavor, I couldn't pass it up.
From the personal preference department, the cover is stunning and beautifully done. I think the six pages of endorsements is over the top, but I suppose with a potentially controversial book, Howard Books (Simon & Schuster) might have thought it necessary. I do recommend Iscariot if for no other reason to read the picture of Israel at the time of Jesus' ministry, the loveliness and accuracy of Tosca's writing, and for the thought provoking questions she raises by authoring this story.
Father, only you know the outcome of our lives here on earth. May I never betray you by my actions, words, or deeds, Precious Lord. I'm desperate for you, day in and day out. And no better, no stronger, no less likely to do exactly the opposite of what I want to do concerning you than any one of your creation. Lord, I lift up Tosca in all of her trials, in all of her pursuits, in all of her successes and pray your abundance in Jesus over her. Bless her determination, her inquisitiveness, her genuine heart after you. Keep her safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
