"Quo Vadis," by Henryk Sienkiewicz

Among the ranks of the greatest novels about the Roman Empire ever written--alongside the likes of Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur and Marguerite Yourcenar's The Memoirs of Hadrian--this 1896 book has never been out-of-print. If you enjoy translated literature, this Polish novel fits the bill, being not only highly respected in Poland (and one of Pope John Paul II's favorite books) but strong enough world-wide to help the author achieve the 1905 Nobel Prize in Literature. While a range of editions exist, many hover around the 590-page mark. Reviewers have described it as "superb", "deeply informative", and "surpisingly enchanting". What will you think of this 19th-Century classic? If you like it, there's also a highly-lauded 1951 film adaptation, which single-handedly saved MGM Studios from bankruptcy!

From Goodreads:

This glorious saga unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome--from the Forum to the Coliseum, from banquet halls to summer retreats in Naples, from the luxurious houses of the nobility to the hovels of the poor, Quo Vadis richly depicts a place and time still captivating to the modern imagination. This radiant translation by W.S. Kuniczak restores the original glory and richness of master storyteller Henryk Sienkiewicz's epic tale.

Set at a turning point in history (A.D. 54-68), as Christianity replaces the era of corruption and immorality that marked Nero's Rome, Quo Vadis abounds with compelling characters, including:

Vinicius, the proud centurion who has fallen deeply in love with a mysterious young woman who disappears the night they meet;Ligia, the elusive beauty. Vinicius will not easily win her love, for she is a Christian, one of the group of dedicated believers led by the apostle Peter. Christians are rare in pagan, hedonistic Rome, and suffer great persecution;

Petronius, uncle to Vinicius, an elegant, witty courtier who scoffs at love and religion but finds his nephew's passion charming; and

Nero himself, enemy of all Christians, a despotic emperor who plunges Rome deeper and deeper into depravity. The decadence of his banquets is staggering; and even worse, his mad laughter is heard echoing in the amphitheater as gladiators duel to the death.

As Nero's appalling plans for the Christians become ever clearer, time appears to be running out for the young lovers. Vinicius must come to understand the true meaning of Ligia's religion before it is too late.

Grand in scope and ambition, Quo Vadis explores the themes of love, desire and profound moral courage. Lavish descriptions, vivid dialogue and brilliantly drawn characters make this one of the world's greatest epics. Beloved by children and adults the world over, Quo Vadis has been the subject of five films, two of them in English.