Thais

Rating:
Summary: Fine satire of philosophical/religious history
Review: Easy-to-read yet artful novel in the traditions of Thomas Love Peacock, Dr. Johnson (Rasselas, especially) and Francois Rabelais. The story is about religious follies in the early days of Christendom, but has plenty of relevancy to our time. France was witty and relentless when it came to superstition, hypocrisy and religious megalomania but he had tremendous sympathy for humanity's spiritual yearning and the plight of the characters. I found an old copy printed in the 20's. Somebody needs to bring this fine book, and other works of Anatole France, back in print. Updated translations will help as well.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Charming!
Review: I loved how characters are colorfully and lively portrayed. I can almost see their parallel today in the Coptic Church. Humor is mingled with philosphy in the character of Paphnutius, Paul the Simple is seen as a man with supernatural feats and his slowness of mind is taken for "sacred" in a praiseworthy sense. Palemon is so colorful and amusing in his prayers as he has unique relationships to lettuces and sweet peas and talks to them as a true monk is in full communion with nature. So hilarious!

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Summary: NECESITO COMPRAR EL LIBRO THAIS DE ANATOLE FRANCE EN ESPAÑOL
Review: NECESITAMOS COMPRAR EL LIBRO THAIS TRADUCIDO AL ESPAÑOL, MUCHO LES AGRADECERE ENVIARME MAIL CON ESTA INFORMACION

SALUDOS AMIGOS

Rating:
Summary: "I am only a poor sinner"
Review: Thais, by Anatole France (born Jacques Anatole Thibault) written in the latter years of the 19th century, is indicative of the wry, powerful voice of a passionate author.

Borne from a knowledge of the processes of religion in the heart; the tale of Thais unfolds with the remembrances of the monk Paphnutius. Reflecting upon his time 'far from God', Paphnutius remembers his initial meeting, at age 15, with the beautiful Alexandrian actress Thais. Daring to seek out her door, as many other suitors did, the young Paphnutius flees in fear of rejection by the beautiful courtesan.

Years later Paphnutius sets out on a quest to save Thais from her life of 'depravity' by persuading her to join a convent and save her soul by marrying it to God.

Paphnutius finds his Alexandrian beauty; still bewitching theater patrons young and old; and entices her to burn all of her possessions and leave the city (and her less than virtuous life) behind. But the men under her spell, as well as the numerous merchants who have enjoyed a generous spending from Thais for years, decide that it is in their best interest for her to remain in their city, and attempt to block her departure.

Once they are safely away from Alexandria, with the help of fellow monks and friends; Paphnutius delivers Thais safely to the convent where she is to spend the rest of her days, and he begins a quest of his own, which helps to spread his name and fame far and wide.

Throughout the book there are numerous references to the history of Classical Greece, though it is written with a decidedly Christian theme, at a time when men had abandoned the Gods of old for the conventional diety that is worshipped today.

I enjoyed this 154 page novel, largely due to the abiltiy of the author to create a tale about a man of dedicated service to God, when France had little faith himself, and his underlying theme that men and women are simply that; nothing more, nothing less. I particularly enjoyed the ending, in the sense that it showed a 'man of God' as having flawed 'human' traits that he cannot overcome.

I hope to enjoy other works of Anatole France, and encourage other readers to indulge in this one in particular. Anatole France's prose is engaging, his literary style easily accessable 113 years after the initial publication, and his story-telling capabilities easily rank with more contemporary authors. Definitely worth a visit.

Rating:
Summary: A tragedy with a clear moral message
Review: This book tells the tragic story of Paphnutius, a self-righteous monk who temporarily abandons his isolated desert life to save a famous courtesan and actress, Thais, from a life of sin. As the rescue of Thais unfolds it becomes clear that the main drive of Paphnutius is not virtue but, greatest sin of all, his own vanity. Thais is his trophy for God. A witness to his own spiritual breakdown, he tries more and more extravagant acts of penitence that, to his despair, deepen his moral crisis. Ultimately his efforts are condemned by Paul, the saintly fool, as nothing more than Pride, Lust and Doubt.

The moral message, about the dangers of self-righteousness, is clear and well delivered. Some consider the book anti-religious or anti-christian. It obviously isn't either. What it criticizes is the danger to have one's common sense blinded by religious zeal in a way which ends up being ultimately self-defeating.

The spiritually confused Paphnutius is portraid kindly by Anatole France, which makes his tragedy even more poignant. One cannot but sympathise with his intense, yet misguided, efforts.

Rating:
Summary: a hypocrite and his lust
Review: This is about a hypocritical Christian monk who lives in late ancient Egypt, and who finally is overwhelmed by his lust for the title character. Massenet made an opera out of this novel. It is intended as an attack on Christianity, but if one can look at the monk as an individual and not as a representative of Christianity, even Christian readers can appreciate this study of human weakness.

Rating:
Summary: a hypocrite and his lust
Review: This is about a hypocritical Christian monk who lives in late ancient Egypt, and who finally is overwhelmed by his lust for the title character. Massenet made an opera out of this novel. It is intended as an attack on Christianity, but if one can look at the monk as an individual and not as a representative of Christianity, even Christian readers can appreciate this study of human weakness.