THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Gal Beckerman
Amos Oz was 8 the first time he was called a traitor. Now 77, Mr. Oz is still regularly accused of being a traitor. It’s this familiarity that has informed his latest novel, “Judas,” which is not only titled after the most reviled traitor in history, but also reimagines the story of the Crucifixion, removing the taint from a character who has inspired so much hatred and violence. Mr. Oz came up with an alternative theory. Judas was not a traitor but, in fact, the truest believer in Jesus’ divinity, more so than even Jesus himself. So pure was Judas’ faith that he persuaded Jesus to provoke the Roman authorities into crucifying him. [
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| Amos Oz, whose new novel, “Judas,” removes the taint from a character historically viewed as a traitor. Credit George Etheredge for The New York Times |
