Thais eBook Anatole France
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In those days there were many hermits living in the desert. On both banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another in case of need. Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion. There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better enjoy their solitude. Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop. Some retired into the desert, and led a still more strange life in some cave or tomb. All 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. Thus, they thought they fulfilled the words of the prophet, "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." Amongst the inhabitants of the holy Thebaid, there were some who passed their days in asceticism and contemplation; others gained their livelihood by plaiting palm fibre, or by working at harvest-time for the neighbouring farmers. The Gentiles wrongly suspected some of them of living by brigandage, and allying themselves to the nomadic Arabs who robbed the caravans. But, as a matter of fact, the monks despised riches, and the odour of their sanctity rose to heaven. Angels in the likeness of young men, came, staff in hand, as travellers, to visit the hermitages; whilst demons—having assumed the form of Ethiopians or of animals—wandered round the habitations of the hermits in order to lead them into temptation. When the monks went in the morning to fill their pitcher at the spring, they saw the footprints of Satyrs and Aigipans in the sand. The Thebaid was, really and spiritually, a battlefield, where, at all times, and more especially at night, there were terrible conflicts between heaven and hell.
Thais eBook Anatole France
I enjoyed this book very much. It's wonderful to have also seen and heard the opera. The book is much more detailed and the story is a timeless one about faith, sin, the nature of the sinner, set in the early days of Christianity. I will definitely look into more of this author's work.Product details
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Thais eBook Anatole France Reviews
This relatively short book by Anatole France, which was later the basis of an opera by Massenet, ridicules religious hypocrisy in particular and religion in general. It is the mythical story, set in the 4th century A.D., of a supposed ascetic who attempts to convert, and then wins over, his country's most renowned courtesan, only to reveal late in the book that he has secretly been lusting for her. A fairly common literary scheme, done here with considerable wit.
I got this illustrated edition from my local library. I suppose that's where you'll have to find it if you don't order this copy from , because it's out of print.
The most beautiful, spiritual, enlighten, incredible, happy, sad and wonderful story I have ever read in my life.
It will be one of my all-time favorite books from now on )
Thank you Anatole France!
Anachoritism, cynicism, Arianism and all kind of ancient philosophy put in the blender with drops of romance and endoscopic delirium... Just splendid!
Very well written. Gives insight about certain motives religious fanatics hide or try to disguise.
Could be the best book I will ever read in my life. It is brilliant. A must-read. That's it. By the way- hard to purchase (not always available), so get it when you can.
I got this book to be ready for the next season in Metropolitan Opera, 2017-2018. 'Tais' is one of the operas in this season. Reading is interesting, and very rewarding. Love this book.
I enjoyed this book very much. It's wonderful to have also seen and heard the opera. The book is much more detailed and the story is a timeless one about faith, sin, the nature of the sinner, set in the early days of Christianity. I will definitely look into more of this author's work.
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