First published in 1914, The Revolt of the Angels is one of the final works by celebrated French author and Nobel Prize winner Anatole France. Considered by many critics to be his most profound and significant work, it is the story of the angel Arcade who has grown tired of watching over a sinless Bishop. With nothing else to do, Arcade begins to read the books in the Bishop's library and soon rejects God and decides to live as a man instead. The former angel moves to Paris, falls in love with a mortal woman, loses his wings, and conspires with Satan to overthrow God. Arcade realizes however that replacing God with another powerful being will accomplish nothing and instead he, and mankind as well, must change themselves and destroy the idea of God that they all carry within. Deeply ironic and thoughtful, The Revolt of the Angels, was met with controversy when it was first published and was placed on the list of banned books by the Catholic Church. It was a critical and commercial success however for challenging long-held ideas of religion and morality and continues to be widely read a century later for its thoughtful and perceptive examination of mankind's ideas of divinity. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation on Wilfrid Jackson.
Experience the imaginative and thought-provoking tale of a rebellion in heaven and the complexities of free will from acclaimed author Anatole France.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Penguin Island (original title: L'Île des Pingouins) is a satirical novel by Anatole France, published in 1908. The book uses the fictional story of a society of penguins transformed into humans to critique various aspects of human society, such as religion, politics, and history.
The novel begins with a monk named Mael, who mistakenly baptizes a group of penguins, turning them into humans. As these newly humanized penguins form a society called Penguinia, they go through the stages of civilization, from primitive beginnings to a modern state, mirroring the rise and fall of human civilizations throughout history.
Through the development of Penguinia, Anatole France satirizes the absurdities and follies of human behavior, exploring themes such as the corrupting influence of power, the conflicts between science and religion, and the cyclical nature of history. The novel is known for its sharp wit, humor, and insightful commentary on human nature and societal issues.
Penguin Island is considered one of France's most significant works, showcasing his ability to blend fantasy with social and political critique. The book remains a notable example of literary satire, reflecting France's skepticism and humanistic perspective.
Penguin Island in all its peculiar glory: this is the tale of the enchanted island island where the nearsighted Abbot Mael baptised penguins in error. These penguins posessed of Divine Grace by dint of baptism are remarkably like and unlike men; they rule the fictional land of Penguinia.
Experience the imaginative and thought-provoking tale of a rebellion in heaven and the complexities of free will from acclaimed author Anatole France.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Golden Tales of Anatole France is a collection of stories translated from Anatole France's original works, showcasing some of his finest short stories and novellas. This anthology highlights France's mastery of storytelling, his wit, and his philosophical insights into human nature and society.
The collection includes a variety of tales, ranging from whimsical fairy tales to poignant narratives that explore deeper themes such as love, morality, and the absurdities of life. Through these stories, Anatole France demonstrates his ability to blend fantasy with reality, offering readers both entertainment and thought-provoking reflections on the human condition.
France's storytelling is characterized by his elegant prose and his skillful use of irony and satire. Golden Tales of Anatole France provides a comprehensive introduction to the author's work, capturing the breadth and depth of his literary achievements. The stories in this collection reflect France's keen observations of the world around him and his ability to convey complex ideas through engaging narratives.
In those days the hermits of the desert lived in huts on the banks of the Nile, where they lived abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop. They lived in temperance and chastity; they wore a hair shirt and a hood, slept on the bare ground after long watching, prayed, sang psalms, and, in short, spent their days in works of penitence. As an atonement for original sin, they refused their body not only all pleasures and satisfactions, but even that care and attention which in this age are deemed indispensable. They believed that the diseases of our members purify our souls, and the flesh could put on no adornment more glorious than wounds and ulcers. It was a good and virtuous life. It was also fairly smelly.
One day a desert hermit named Paphnutius was recalling the hours he had lived apart from God, and examining his sins one by one, that he might the better ponder on their enormity, he remembered that he had seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress named Thaïs. Repenting his bothood lust for her, he saw he countenance weeping and resolved that the courtesan must necessarily be brought to salvation. It was a terrible mistake, and one that still haunts us all.