Pontius Pilate: A Novel by historian and novelist Paul Meier (award-winning, according to the blurb; ETA: and a former Russell H. Seibert Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University, according to
Wikipedia) is what the blurb calls "documentary fiction", apparently trying to be a thoroughly-researched document-based historical biographical novel, free courtesy of Christian publisher Kregel, and originally print-published in 1968.
I had a look and this comes with several rather nice pages of history notes in the back where the author discusses assorted aspects of life in Ancient Rome. And he also documents various incidents he incorporated into his work with cites for their original sources and explanatory footnotes.
I approve of this degree of thoroughness in historical fiction and encourage it, even for the ones which might change stuff for dramatic reasons (hopefully they make a note of it).
Currently free @
B&N (also
UK),
Amazon UK (slated to drop in the
main store) &
Google Play (available to Canadians).
Description
In a world full of DVD extras, behind-the-scenes commentary, and social media, people are used to getting the story behind the story. Readers want to understand not just what happened but why. This historical novel of the man who washed his hands of the crucifixion does just that!
Award-winning historian and best-selling author Paul L. Maier has created a compelling style of documentary fiction. He uses what is historically known of Pilate’s life and rise to power, adds in the known political climate of first-century Judea, and unveils the colorful, untold story that changed history for all time. He provides intriguing answers to questions such as:
What really happened at that most famous of trials?