The Apocryphal Of Lazarus

Lazarus, risen from the dead, faces the dilemma of finding purpose in life until Christ returns. In his quest for peace and solace from the loss of loved ones along the way, he finds great satisfaction in shipbuilding, vineyards, and other enterprises in Cyprus, France, Spain, the New World, New Orleans, Boston, and England.

Over his long life, Lazarus marries, has children, watches them grow to adulthood and give him his first grandchildren. They age and die, leaving Lazarus alone, traveling and plying his trades, until he marries again and the story repeats—children, grandchildren, and the deaths of more loved ones.

He travels with Cortez, fights in the conquest of the Aztecs, and struggles to protect native peoples against the Spaniards in California and New Mexico. He journeys east to New Orleans where he works to establish the first healthcare system. In the midst of the Battle of New Orleans, he tends to the wounded. He moves to New England and participates in building the hospital system in Boston.

Compounded with personal tragedies, Lazarus faces another dilemma because he does not age. He is forced to devise disguises to protect his ageless state or leave and start life anew where no one knows him.

Between the lines, Lazarus never loses his true mission, spreading the good word about Jesus and His life as Lazarus knew him in childhood.

Reviews

Truly a remarkable book.

I don’t know if Pablo knows this, but back in 18th Century fiction was beginning to develop as a genre. For many centuries if you wanted to read, you read non-fiction, you read philosophy, biography, history, scientific theories, theology… fables and stories were for children, the writers Grimm and Aesop included. But in the 1600’s in Spain Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote and in 1700’s in England a writer called Lawrence Sterne wrote the Life and Adventures of Tristram Shandy, and followed it by A Sentimental Journey. This really opened the floodgates and men and women started writing romances, adventure stories, fictionalised travel stories and so on. And for me The Apocryphal of Lazarus goes back to those early and very respectable roots!

What vision and scope, to postulate a Wandering Jew who watches 2000 years of history unfold all over the world, first hand, and to equate him with Lazarus. To watch his personal growth from agriculturalist and trader to healer. To have him witness to his Risen Lord and remain faithful to Him.

I particularly liked the fact that this is also not Eurocentric – As a European I know very little about early American history or about South America, and the same applies to Chinese history. So I found the range of this book refreshing and challenging, and also the mention of different religious beliefs and philosophies. I’ve been watching the Catholic Church trying to drag itself into a more liberal frame of mind and the pain conservative Catholics feel as the accretions of tradition are scraped off. I’ve also watched a similar struggle from the nonconformist side as they learnt that God could be much bigger and more loving than they thought. In my mother’s lifetime she went from seeing a Strict Baptist aunt of hers shaking her stick at a couple of harmless nuns (“Look at those great black crows!”) to sitting next to two nuns at a Women’s World Day of Prayer and feeling gratitude that everyone could worship together. I digress, but I enjoyed the glimpses of theology!

Yes of course there are flaws, too little of that or too much of this, but I personally enjoyed this book and wouldn’t touch a hair of its head! Thank you Pablo. ~Heather Kemp

In The Apocryphal of Lazarus, the protagonist, Lazarus, presents a compelling journey through pivotal moments in human history. His unique perspective, being both a witness and participant in these events due to his ageless nature, adds a fascinating layer to the narrative. Lazarus’ dual roles as a pastor and physician enable him to intertwine spiritual guidance with a healer’s compassion, enriching the story with depth and complexity.

The book effectively explores the emotional and psychological toll of Lazarus’ immortality, particularly the challenges of perpetually restarting his life in new places. This aspect resonated deeply with me as a reader, bringing a poignant understanding of the hardship and weariness that accompanies an endless existence. Lazarus’ character development is a standout feature, evolving from his experiences and interactions. His journey is marked by compassion and a caring presence, making him a memorable and relatable character. The book’s thematic exploration of life, rebirth, and the human condition is thought-provoking and consistently engaging. The story’s length is amply justified by its rich narrative and historical depth, offering an expansive scope that enriches the reader’s understanding of Lazarus’ journey. This detail allows for a comprehensive exploration of the character’s experiences, enhancing the overall depth and enjoyment of the book.

The Apocryphal of Lazarus is a commendable addition to the historical fiction genre. Its unique blend of historical context with a timeless character study makes it a recommendable read for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling within this genre.

Some especially poignant moments relate to the true meaning of life, and the literary style of the work highlights these with contemplative and very descriptive moments. Religious or not, readers will certainly enjoy The Apocryphal of Lazarus, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in deep-thinking stories that take history and religion in their stride. – Verified Kobo Reader

Five Star Review by David Reyes – The Book Commentary

A nuanced and engrossing tale, The Apocryphal of Lazarus by Pablo Zaragoza follows the Biblical Lazarus after being raised from the dead by Jesus. While waiting for Christ’s return, he sets out to create a purpose for his life, a mission that starts with shipbuilding and vineyards. But Lazarus quickly discovers that time passes by and he doesn’t grow older. He will experience a cycle of having children and grandchildren and watching them die, of marrying over and over, and ultimately, he must determine how to camouflage his immortality. His life after the miraculous encounter with Christ is filled with adventure, taking him across the world where he fights in the war to conquer the Aztecs, stands with the natives against the invading Spaniards in New Mexico and California, and establishes the first healthcare system in New Orleans. This is the story of a character whose miraculous resurrection sets him on the path to bringing light to humanity, spreading the word about Jesus, and fighting injustices.

A richly textured, deeply moving tale with strong spiritual currents, The Apocryphal of Lazarus follows the journey of one man whose destiny is shaped by a singular moment of grace. While it is filled with realistic characters and teeming with historical hints, it carries a powerful message — the real encounter with Grace transforms everything about us. Lazarus is a character that is elaborately drawn and the tales maximize internal tension, spiritual resonances, and drive. Pablo Zaragoza has the extraordinary ability to arouse the imagination of readers, forcing them to feel the characters and connect with their humanity. You’ll love the unassuming style of writing, the author’s gift for bringing life into the scenes, the vivid descriptions, and the absorbing nature of Lazarus’ adventures.

Five Stars – Highly Recommended – Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Apocryphal of Lazarus is a work of fiction in the historical and literary subgenres and was penned by author Pablo Zaragoza. The work is best suited to the adult reading audience for its complex themes and serious emotional content concerning death, faith, and torment. As the title suggests, we follow the biblical figure of Lazarus, who finds himself risen from the dead and leading an endless existence on Earth. As our central protagonist awaits the return of Jesus over thousands of years, we journey through human history with Lazarus while he marries, has children, and sees all his family die, again and again, starting from scratch in his ever-more-difficult ageless state.

Author Pablo Zaragoza has created a fascinating in-depth study of the nature of human life, the power of faith, and the themes and central messages of Christianity in this fascinating work of fiction. What struck me most about the work was the commitment to deep thought into the emotional and psychological damage done to the ever-waiting Lazarus as he goes about hundreds and hundreds of years of life on Earth without end and without being spared the suffering of the mortality of others. Some especially poignant moments relate to the true meaning of life, and the literary style of the work highlights these with contemplative and very descriptive moments. Religious or not, readers will certainly enjoy The Apocryphal of Lazarus, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in deep-thinking stories that take history and religion in their stride.

Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Award