My Name Was Judas

Description

Some forty years after Jesus' death, Judas tries to set the record straight, and refutes his reputation as the betrayer. We all know the story of Jesus told by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but what about the version according to Judas? In this witty, original and teasingly controversial account, some forty years after the death of Jesus, Judas finally tells the story as he remembers it. Looking back on his childhood and youth from an old age the gospel writers denied him, Judas recalls his friendship with Jesus; their schooling together; their families; the people who would go on to be disciples and followers; their journeys together and their dealings with the powers of Rome and the Temple. His is a story of friendship and rivalry, of a time of uncertainty and enquiry, a testing of belief, endurance and loyalty.

C.K. Stead was Professor of English at the University of Aukland until 1986. In 1984 he was awarded the CBE for services to New Zealand literature. He has published eleven volumes of poetry, two volumes of stories, several works of criticism, a memoir and twelve novels including, most recently, Risk.

C. K. Stead is challenging, fun, urbane and brilliant. Read him * Spectator * Stead's book delights in subtle comedy and takes care to puncture all kinds of minor myths...Written with glowing simplicity and rich in delicate humour...[A] thought-provoking, witty and highly topical novel -- James Wood * Daily Telegraph * [An] elegant, calm novel...Stead writes a cool, reasonable prose......Stead maintains an eye unblinkingly opposed to the transcendental * Guardian * A subtly potent revisionist account of the life and death of Jesus * Sunday Times * A gifted and intelligent novelist * Independent *