The Robe

Lore & Background

The novel was inspired by a letter from Hazel McCann, a department store clerk from Ohio, who asked Douglas what he thought had happened to Christ's garments after the crucifixion. Douglas sent each chapter to McCann as he finished it, and they finally met in 1941. The book is dedicated to her.

In Their Own Story

The sand is white and the sky is the pale, washed-out blue of a world that has forgotten its own name. A small shape moves across the dune. No face. No voice. Just the long red robe, catching a thermal updraft and lifting the hem high, then settling back down as the figure takes another step. The robe whispers against the sand, leaving a faint, fading line of color in its wake. Ahead, the mountain waits. It has always been there. The robe knows this. The robe simply walks.

Reader's Guide

The plot follows Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio and his Greek slave Demetrius. Marcellus is banished to command a garrison in southern Palestine, where he oversees the crucifixion of Jesus. He wins Jesus' seamless robe in a dice game. After wearing the robe at a banquet, he suffers a nervous breakdown. Later, touching the robe restores his mind. Marcellus and Demetrius become followers of Jesus. Marcellus and his wife Diana are executed by Emperor Caligula, and Marcellus arranges for the robe to be given to Simon Peter.

Did You Know?

• The Robe entered the New York Times Best Seller list in October 1942, rose to No. 1 four weeks later, and held the position for nearly a year.
• The book remained on the list for another two years and returned several times, including when the 1953 film adaptation was released.
• Lloyd C. Douglas began his literary career after leaving the ministry at age 52.
• At the height of his popularity, Douglas received on average 100 letters a week from fans.