Barabbas

«Barabbas: A Dream of the Tragedy of the World» — a novel by Marie Corelli, first published in 1893. The story is a fictional account of the life of Barabbas, the notorious criminal who was freed by popular demand instead of Jesus Christ during the trial by Pontius Pilate. Through the character of Barabbas, Marie Corelli reveals the spiritual transformation of a sinful soul, which, upon encountering the Divine, comes to repentance, inner cleansing, and rebirth. The novel calls for reflection on the nature of sin, forgiveness, and eternal values, emphasizing the relevance of the Gospel story even after a thousand years. Vivid descriptions and poetic language by Corelli create a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere.
The work is part of Marie Corelli's «Religious Trilogy», which consists of the books «Barabbas», «The Sorrows of Satan», and «The Christian Teacher».
Marie Corelli (1855—1924) was one of the best-selling British writers of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Corelli's success was immense, so much so that she was the only writer invited to the coronation of Edward VII.
Corelli was a very eccentric woman. For example, she brought a gondola from Venice named «Dream» (along with a gondolier) to ride on the River Avon. Before favoring this mode of transport, she drove around town in a phaeton pulled by a pair of Shetland ponies, Pack and Ariel.
She baffled critics and self-proclaimed heavyweight authors, but intrigued the average audience with the big and complex questions she posed in her books.