Les Dieux ont soif (French Edition)

Les Dieux Ont Soif by Anatole France, Fb Editions - Paperback

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It took me quite a while before I found my footing in this novel. There are so many historical figures mentioned whom I didn't know. The Notes at the end occasionally elucidate who is who, but not very often. I gathered that the author was being satirical about these people, but not knowing their political positi It took me quite a while before I found my footing in this novel. I gathered that the author was being satirical about these people, but not knowing their political positions, I wasn't sure in which direction the satire was directed.

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I guessed from the title that the author meant to say that the Revolution's aftermath, which became known as The Terror, was out of hand and full of blood lust, but it took some time before all the historical figures faded into the background and the fictional characters became firmly foregrounded and it became very obvious who were the "bad guys" and who were not. But once I was there, once Gamelin revealed the extent of his hard-line dedication to the cause, such that he was ready and willing to sacrifice anyone and everyone to it, then I was right there with A.

Gamelin is really a marvelous villain because he is so dedicated to a cause he believes is right, and he never wavers in that belief. Toward the end, he knows he's going to be hated and reviled, but he still believes what he has done is good for the country and that he is doing everyone a favor even though they will hate him. He sees himself as a martyr, in other words, but without ever putting it so directly. Reminds me a lot of the blind bloodlust of that defender of torture, Dick Cheney.

Gamelin's foil, Brotteaux, was likable enough, and as the good guy, you do root for him. But he was so obviously the stand-in for the author, and so obviously speaking the author's positions on politics and religion, I found him less intriguing. Gamelin's girlfriend, Elodie, is at first not that interesting, but once her sadistic passion is revealed, she becomes much more complex and reveals A.

France's depth of understanding of human nature. Chilling tale of one Evariste Gamelin, a poor artist in revolutionary Paris.

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On the one hand he shows humanity: But his blind following of the Republic soon becomes apparent: Above all we must trust in Marat. He is the one who really loves the people He alone Chilling tale of one Evariste Gamelin, a poor artist in revolutionary Paris.

He alone is capable of saving the Republic in its peril. As Evariste rises up the ladder he becomes a magistrate, with power over the lives of many, even people well known to him Although written a hundred years ago, and set years back, this is very much a relevant work; Gamelin made me think of Nazis who were reportedly kind fathers; of radicalized Muslim youths who had once been loving sons.

As he tells Elodie: And when we have sacrificed them on the altar of the fatherland, more of them appear, and more and more So you must see there is no other course for me but to renounce love, joy, all the sweetness of life, even life itself. And it massively informed me about the Revolution, which we tend to portray simply as starving peasants rightfully rising up against a corrupt royal family. The different factions and the changes of direction under the Terror, when even the leaders weren't safe is all brought out.

Although I would encourage the reader to familiarise themselves with basic facts about the Revolution before reading - I got rather confused at times. Through the series of events which define their lives for their fates seem decided from the start we come into contact with the anxiety, the deceits and the bureaucracy of the Terror, as well as with human life striving to carry on its normal course even through the upheavals of History.

Yet I did not find this novel particularly informative, or enthralling: I suppose Anatole France's aim is a political one, illustrating the ravages of political fanaticism.

However, I opened this book hoping to learn more about the French Revolution or to be swept away to a chaotic, passionate time and place, or both, and Les dieux ont soif met neither of these expectations. Perhaps I've been spoiled by War and Peace. I liked this book. Especially that the author describes quite well the change between the beginning of the revolution, how it converged into terror the fact that there's a quite "natural" progression and not a sudden change and then finally to the end of the Convention, without describing the next period of the French Revolution as something "better".

Also, the notes in my edition were highly appreciated. I guess it is quite well documented, I certainly learned a couple of things about this period and also about Robespierre and his ideas I had NO idea that he and the jacobins were against atheism. I knew about the cult to the God Reason and Nature but not Anyway, very recommendable for someone who wants to learn about the period, how people lived and so on.

But for me, someone who's passionate about this period, I definitely liked more Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo. A chilling tale set during the France's the country, not the author Reign of Terror, this novel shows the reader what can happen when good ideas go off the rails, or when people are willing to put ideology ahead of their sanity and, more importantly, their humanity.

It is also an interesting glimpse into what the rest of Paris was doing during this time period, because the majority of them were not sending people to the guillotine. Despite the "blood" mentioned in the title, this novel is not A chilling tale set during the France's the country, not the author Reign of Terror, this novel shows the reader what can happen when good ideas go off the rails, or when people are willing to put ideology ahead of their sanity and, more importantly, their humanity. Despite the "blood" mentioned in the title, this novel is not particularly gory. But, it is still quite disturbing, from a psychological perspective.

Blood-lust abounds -- in the members of the Revolutionary Tribunal, and their literal pursuit of blood, and in those close to them, like Elodie, who finds herself more and more physically attracted to the protagonist, Evariste, as he becomes more and more monstrous. This book left me feeling that the Reign of Terror did not accomplish much in the way of moving France forward.

But, isn't it always difficult to quantify progress toward intangible ideas? Perhaps that is because, in the end, ideas can only exist in the mind, even the "good" ones. The characters in this novel at least have compelling, sometimes complex motives or flaws; main character Evariste, for example, is a frustrated artist turned bloodthirsty Jacobin, and there are some interesting scenes featuring a priest w I have yet to read a compelling novel about the French Revolution, though France's book Les Dieux Ont Soif which I read in a English illustrated edition comes closer to the mark than Dickens' Tale of Two Cities or Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel stories.

The characters in this novel at least have compelling, sometimes complex motives or flaws; main character Evariste, for example, is a frustrated artist turned bloodthirsty Jacobin, and there are some interesting scenes featuring a priest who secretly doubts his faith, a monk who is indignant that no-one recognizes his fraternity, and a Lucretius-loving atheist with whom they are confined. The plot moves along at a steady clip, and there is sufficient bloodshed and discreetly-worded sexual content to satisfy jaded modern tastes.

An interesting mix of almost farcical commentary on the extremes to which fanatics will go, and a a somber meditation on the victims caught up in such a frenzy. The French revolution is certainly a fine setting, but the same themes apply to so many points in history. The best thing about this book was that it introduced me to the philosophy of Lucretius , that I will be reading more of soon. Among my favorite bittersweet sentiments is that quoted from Lucretius by the character Brotteaux, condemn An interesting mix of almost farcical commentary on the extremes to which fanatics will go, and a a somber meditation on the victims caught up in such a frenzy.

Among my favorite bittersweet sentiments is that quoted from Lucretius by the character Brotteaux, condemned to death by the capricious court: When we are no more, nothing will move us, not even the mingled confusion of broken earth, sea, sky This novel is set in Paris during the Reign of Terror that followed upon the French revolution.

Les Dieux Ont Soif (French Edition) (Paperback)

I had difficulty with the prose, which is undoubtedly because it has been translated into English. I wish I had studied French for a few years more. Anatole France's classic novel of the years following the French Revolution and life in Paris during the Reign of Terror. It's OK but, oddly, I found myself waiting for something significant to happen. The story and descriptions give a good idea of the mixed up days when the guillotine supplied popular entertainment as well as horrendous terror. The fickle and convoluted allegiances of the street mobs and the main characters serves as an engine that moves the book forward.

The justice system, or lack thereof, is a major topic. Nikos Mynopetros rated it liked it Jul 17, There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in "in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament.

In , he sat on the committee which Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in "in recognition of his brilliant literary achievements, characterized as they are by a nobility of style, a profound human sympathy, grace, and a true Gallic temperament. You already recently rated this item. Your rating has been recorded. Write a review Rate this item: Preview this item Preview this item. Les dieux ont soif; Author: New York, Dryden Press [] Series: Dryden Press modern language publications.

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