Quo Vadis?
by Henryk Sienkiewicz
A novel of ancient Rome
Quo Vadis, a novel of ancient Rome, is the popular novel was widely translated. Set in ancient Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero, Quo Vadis? tells the story of the love that develops between a young Christian woman and a Roman officer who, after meeting her fellow Christians, converts to her religion, Christianity. Nero is the emperor, (and a very decadent one at that), so there's great contrast between his riches and the simplicity of early Christianity. Quo Vadis (Latin for "Where are you going?") is a mirrored reflection of modern times. A demoralised society whitewashed to the outside world, but inside it is decadent, amoral and corrupt. It is against this background that a young tribune, Marcus Vinicius meets Lygia, the adopted daughter of a Roman general and decides that he wants her as his mistress. Lygia, however, is a Christian. The characters in this novel are many, some fictional, others factual, and all have an immense impact on the development and effect of the story. Firstly, there is Marcus Vinicius, who believes that he must get the best out of life. He does not understand the Christians who allow the wishes of their God to prevent them from participating in the pleasures he has indulged himself in all his life. It  is especially moving for Christians to show them what radical and pure christianity is like. Any non christian will also love it for its characters, plot, and fast pace. It is also interesting if you have any interest in history of the Roman Empire or the early Christian church. This is a wonderful book for everyone!
About Author:
Henryk Sienkiewicz was Polish novelist, a storyteller, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905. He was born to a well-to-do family in Wola Okrzejska, a town in Russian-ruled Poland. Because of economic difficulties, the family sold their rural property and moved to Warsaw. Sienkiewicz attended Warsaw Gymnasium and in 1866 he entered the Polish University. He studied law and medicine, and later history and literature. While a student he started to write newspaper columns. Inspired by the novels of Sir Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas, Sienkiewicz composed his first historical story,  (The Sacrifice), of which no manuscript is known to survive. After finding himself penniless, he left the university without receiving a degree. He worked in the 1870s as a freelance journalist, and wrote short stories and novels. His first novel, Ma marne (1872), depicted student life. In 1874 he was a co-owner and editor of the biweekly Niwa. Inspired by sir Walter Scott and French historical novels Sienkiewicz started to work in 1882 on his own trilogy of historical novels. Ogniem i mieczem (With Fire and Sword) was published in 1884. It was followed by sequels Potop (1886, The Deluge) and Pan Michael (1888, trans.). All these works were carefully researched and written in an exciting, fast-paced style. Sienkiewicz showed his skills in creating colorful characters, which also fascinated readers outside Poland. In 1900 Sienkiewicz was given an estate by the Polish government at Oblegorek, near Kielce. Sienkiewicz's last important novel, Krzyzacy (1900, The Teutonic Knights), was set in medieval Poland at the time of its conflict with the Teutonic Order. The novel clearly referred to the policy of the then German state towards the Poles. While his heroes in Ogniem i mieczem affected the course of history, now they do not play a major role, but then history determined the condition of their lives. W pustyni i w puszczy (1911, In Desert and Wilderness), written for children, was located in the deserts and savannas of Africa in the year of Mahdi's rebellion and the capture of Khartoum. Its lively details were partly based on the author's travels in Africa in the years 1890-91. Prusse et Pologne (1907) attacked the Prussian government's land policy in Prussian-occupied Poland.