Frederick Rolfe

Hadrian the Seventh (eBook, ePUB)

Historical Novel

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'Hadrian the Seventh', Frederick Rolfe presents a novel of striking fantasy and sharp social critique, grounded in a profound if eccentric understanding of Roman Catholic liturgy and politics. A work rich in detail and bursting with the ambitions and frustrations of its protagonist, the book weaves an alternative reality following a rejected priesthood candidate, George Arthur Rose. Elevated to an unforeseen pinnacle after being victimized by clerical errors, Rose's ascent to the Papacy represents a scathing indictment of the Church's bureaucracy and at the same time, an elaborate fantasy of vindication. Rolfe's narrative, thriving on paradox and steeped in ornate prose, masterfully captures the collision between personal vendetta and divine providence within the venerable corridors of Vatican power. Frederick Rolfe, also known as Baron Corvo, was a writer known for his eccentricity and fraught relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. His own thwarted aspirations for the priesthood and outsider's perspective on ecclesiastical affairs resonate deeply throughout the fabric of 'Hadrian the Seventh.' The novel's conception from Rolfe's article on the Papal Conclave and its subsequent transformation into a narrative about personal redemption and ecclesiastical satire are colored by his experiences and persistent critique of the Church's institutions and the individuals who uphold them. Rolfe's 'Hadrian the Seventh' is recommended for readers who revel in the complexities of power, religion, and the human spirit. Equally attracting students of literature and those fascinated by the confluence of personal narrative and wider cultural milieux, the novel stands as a testament to the grandeur and failings of human institutions. Its vivid prose and audacious premise will captivate anyone who appreciates a journey through the inner workings of the Vatican, seen through the eyes of a brilliant if controversial figure within the troubled heart of the Catholic tradition.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 329
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. November 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547719236
• Artikelnr.: 69352904

Autorenporträt

Frederick William Rolfe, also known as Baron Corvo, was an English writer, artist, photographer, and eccentric, born on July 22, 1860, in London. Rolfe's literary career is often best remembered for the novel 'Hadrian the Seventh' (1904), a work of astonishing imagination that presented an autobiographical fantasy in which the protagonist, an English writer, is unexpectedly elected Pope. This book showcases Rolfe's idiosyncratic prose style, ornate and latinate, full of elaborate conceits and intricate phrasing. His works often explored themes related to Catholicism and pitted the beauty of ritualistic tradition against the imperfections of institutional religion, a topic close to the author's heart given his own failed attempts at priesthood. An outsider, Rolfe frequently grappled with poverty and the neglect of his artistic endeavors, influencing the often bleak and bitter perspectives in his writing. Despite his novels' limited popularity during his lifetime, posthumous interest in his unique voice has solidified Rolfe's position as a minor cult figure in English literature. Rolfe's other notable works include 'The Desire and Pursuit of the Whole' (1934) and 'Stories Toto Told Me' (1898), which further characterized his distinctive literary voice. He died in Venice on October 25, 1913, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by innovative writing that was both admired and misunderstood in his time.