Quo Vadis
A Narrative of the Time of Nero
Quo Vadis, published in Polish in 1896 and translated by Jeremiah Curtin, is Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel of Rome under Nero. The young patrician Marcus Vinicius falls in love with Lygia, a hostage princess who has been raised among the Christians, and tries first to seize her and then, with growing bewilderment, to understand the faith that makes her refuse him. Around them move the real figures of the age: Nero and his court, the fastidious Petronius, who is the book's wittiest creation, the apostles Peter and Paul, and the giant Ursus. The burning of Rome and the persecution that follows bring the story to the arena. The novel was a worldwide success and helped win its author the Nobel Prize in 1905. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Quo Vadis online?
Yes. Quo Vadis opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Quo Vadis free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Quo Vadis is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Quo Vadis in the public domain?
Yes. Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Jeremiah Curtin. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Quo Vadis?
About 13 h 56 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Quo Vadis?
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
