The Silver Cross; Or, The Carpenter of Nazareth

"The Silver Cross; Or, The Carpenter of Nazareth" by Eugène Sue is a historical novel set during the Roman occupation of Judea that spotlights the divide between the ruling class and the followers of Jesus, especially through the eyes of a young slave, Genevieve. The story begins with Genevieve attending a supper hosted by Pontius Pilate, where powerful figures voice their anxieties about Jesus's teachings and the potential for social disruption. Genevieve becomes increasingly curious about Jesus, and readers anticipate a narrative exploring her understanding of freedom and the impact of Jesus’s message against a backdrop of class conflict and Roman oppression.