The Devils of Loudun (1952)

Huxley seems to have forgotten how to write narrative when he turned to nonfiction. ( )

The book seems like it has no plot at all and then you realize how fucked up it is. I'm not sure I understood it the first time I read it, with absolutely no context. I didn't even realize it was nonfiction until I wikipediaed it a moment ago. If you ever wanted to know what witch trials in the mad Cardinal Richelieu's France were like. ( )

I attempted to read this book during an ironically trying time in my life, stumbling through it haphazardly and impatiently. Rushing through and skimming it as if it were some type of knowledgable life force I absolutely had to obtain on some metaphysical battle ground. The words, plot and storyline seemed to be innately existing in my mind all ready, the premise, crux and everything within blasting right through my brain as if invisible. I don't remember much of the book, I may have read it, I may have not in my rush to return it to the library shelf. One thing is clear, the library shelf held a lot of charm, and I revisited the book a year later to check on its safety, and there it was, still on the shelf, safe and secure. This book is pure magic. ( )

The abundance of written accounts of past witch trials indicates the prevalence of anxiety in the human race about conformity of belief. If I am uncertain that what I believe is true, and I want to make everyone else liable for my uncertainty, then it is logical and necessary that I make anybody who does not believe as I do guilty of a capital sin. What kind of insane logic is this in humans that we are stuck with!
I do not believe that belief has to be in an absolute, even though it would be pretty and neat and satisfying. What if the whole universe is an inconclusive riddle? Does that make my life any less in quality, or the life of anybody else any less valid in my eyes?
A person must have a lot of nerve to insist that someone else believe in exactly the same things as he or she does. Mind your own business, and leave the other people alone!
I read in a review elsewhere that all that was described above is not the real reason for acts of persecution, but rather was simply used as a pretext. If I am angry at someone for being more successful economically, sexually, or emotionally than me, then all I need is a religious pretext to beat the hell out of them.
(Right now I am reading World Without End by Ken Follett, and it is the same thing all over again.)
All of the other reviews seem to be unanimous in recommending this book, and I concur. Aldous Huxley is certainly one of the most skillful and probing writers of his era, and I have never been disappointed in any of his works. (The first of his works that I read was Chrome Yellow, and would like to go back to it. It describes a different era than The Devils of Loudon, but as already stated, Aldous Huxley could take any period and make it his own.)

This book surprised me. I read this book when I was still just starting university and it was a little difficult at first to become engrossed by it. However, little by little I did become engrossed and found it a very moving book. The story of a French Catholic priest who had sexual relationships with a number of women - some of whom were daughters of wealthy citizens. He also made a number of powerful enemies. He was convicted of witchcraft and burned. The courtroom scene, where the judges sit picking their noses and lambasting him, is the point at which Urbain finally realises that there is no hope and that an appeal to common sense and reason will not prevail. This is a very moving scene. Also his confessor during his wait for execution is another extraordinary character. A person who Urbain would once have mocked becomes a person of high esteem in the mind of Urbain who loves his quiet and humble faith. Again one of the great reasons for reading this book. To top it off - Aldous wrote this book based on letters and studies he had undertaken as to the history of Urbain Grandier and the fact that these events actually happened makes it more appealing still. Finally, Aldous puts the story together in such a masterful manner that you become engrossed in the events and go on a strange journey filled with pathos. I did. I hope that you do too.

Kindest regards

Gary Coe