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Quo Vadis (Henryk Sienkiewicz) |
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Historical novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, first published in Polish under its Latin
title in 1896. The title means "Where are you going?" and alludes to a New Testament
verse (John 13:36). The popular novel was widely translated. Set in ancient Rome
during the reign of Emperor Nero, it tells the story of the love between a Christian
woman and a Roman officer who, after meeting her fellow Christians, converts to her
religion. Underlying their relationship is the contrast between the worldly opulence
of the Roman aristocracy and the poverty, simplicity and spiritual power of the
Christians, as Rome sinks under the excesses of Nero and Christians are thrown to
the lions. The novel has a subtext referring to the persecution and political
subjugation of Poland by Russia. Author received Nobel Prize.
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