Subject
Priesthood -- Fiction Books
Best books
Wilkie Collins
The Black Robe
"The Black Robe" by Wilkie Collins is a novel published in 1881. After accidentally killing a man in a duel, Lewis Romayne returns to England haunted by the victim's brother's screams. When he falls in love with Stella Eyrecourt, a Catholic priest named Father Benwell schemes to convert Romayne and claim his ancestral estate for the Church. The novel explores manipulation, faith, and loyalty through its controversial anti-Catholic lens.
Grazia Deledda
The Woman & the Priest
"The Woman & the Priest" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in a remote Sardinian hill village, the book intricately explores the psychological struggles of its two main characters, Paul, a young priest, and his mother, Maria Maddalena, as they grapple with the pressures of faith and desire. The narrative unfolds over the course of two days, delving into human connections and moral dilemmas while hinting at underlying themes of superstition, personal conflict, and the consequences of transgression. At the start of the story, Paul is shown preparing to sneak out of the presbytery, while his mother anxiously awaits him, sensing his distress. As she grapples with her fear over his increasingly reckless behavior, it becomes apparent that he is drawn to a woman who lives in a nearby house, stirring worries within Maria Maddalena about the potential impact on both their souls. The tension builds as she reminisces about Paul's past innocence and begins to suspect the nature of his visits. The opening sets the stage for a profound exploration of the characters' emotions as they confront the clash between societal expectations and personal desires, ultimately framing a narrative rich with themes of devotion, temptation, and maternal love.
Grazia Deledda
The mother
"The Mother" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in a remote Sardinian village, it is a stark psychological study of a young priest, Paul, his devoted mother Maria Maddalena, and Agnes, the solitary woman who awakens his forbidden desire. The story probes the clash between human love and religious duty, filtered through superstition, village poverty, and maternal anguish. Its tension is intimate and fateful, unfolding over a brief span with the inevitability of tragedy. The opening of the novel follows a stormy night in which Maria Maddalena realizes Paul is slipping out to a woman’s house and, after failing to intervene, returns home torn between fear, faith, and a vivid, unsettling dream of the parish’s disgraced former priest. Paul, having just agreed to flee with Agnes, is shaken by the wind and his conscience, prays at the church door, then faces his mother; pressed by her quiet firmness, he swears to end the affair. Through a sleepless, tormented night he oscillates between resolve and longing, finally writing a letter to break it off; at dawn he celebrates Mass, chastens his meager flock, and has his mother deliver the note before being summoned to a dying hunter. Interwoven are memories that deepen the stakes: the mother’s recollection of their hopeful arrival in Aar and Paul’s of childhood shame at his mother’s servitude, seminary years, and an earlier encounter with a fallen woman. The section closes with domestic unease, the sacristan boy’s brisk chatter, and a pointed exchange about priestly celibacy, underscoring the moral conflict now set in motion.
Grazia Deledda
Äiti : $b Romaani
"Äiti: Romaani" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores complex themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and moral struggle as the protagonist, Maria Maddalena, grapples with the troubling behavior of her son, Paulo. Central to the narrative is the relationship between mother and son, particularly as Paulo becomes increasingly entwined with a mysterious woman, leading to strife and emotional turmoil within their household. At the start of the story, we meet Maria Maddalena, who is anxiously waiting for her son Paulo, who she suspects is sneaking out at night. As she listens to his stealthy movements, her worry intensifies and she recalls Paulo's recent troubling behaviors, which include spending more time grooming himself and showing interest in women, actions she fears may steer him into sin. When she decides to follow him one night, she discovers that he is heading to a home not far from theirs, one that harbors a young woman who is alone and alluring. The tension of Maria’s protective instincts and Paulo’s desires sets the stage for a conflict that delves deeply into themes of temptation and the frailty of human morality, all while the ominous force of the night serves as a backdrop to their unfolding drama.
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