The RobeThe Robe
Score Classic
What it's about
Marcellus Gallio is a young Roman tribune, the son of a senator, who has been posted to a remote garrison in Palestine as punishment for offending the emperor's heir. He's ordered to carry out the crucifixion of a Galilean preacher, and afterward wins Jesus's robe in a dice game. The robe haunts him. Together with his Greek slave, Demetrius, he sets out to learn who the man was, and is changed by what he finds.
Why it's worth reading
It spent months at #1 on the New York Times list and became the first film released in CinemaScope. It's one of the most popular religious novels ever written.
You'll love it if you liked
The Source
Exodus
The Pillars of the EarthGood to know
It's openly Christian and a little old-fashioned. It's long.
By the numbers
- Readers84 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller58 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Moving
If you like this, read next
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Quick answers
Is The Robe worth reading?
Yes. It spent months at #1 on the New York Times list and became the first film released in CinemaScope. It ranks #537 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 77.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Robe about?
Marcellus Gallio is a young Roman tribune, the son of a senator, who has been posted to a remote garrison in Palestine as punishment for offending the emperor's heir. He's ordered to carry out the crucifixion of a Galilean preacher, and afterward wins Jesus's robe in a dice game. The robe haunts him. Together with his Greek slave, Demetrius, he sets out to learn who the man was, and is changed by what he finds.
How long does it take to read The Robe?
About 13 hours (510 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Robe?
If you liked it, try The Source by James Michener, Exodus by Leon Uris or The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.