Meet Arcade, a guardian angel whose charge, Maurice d'Esparvieu, is so impeccably virtuous that Arcade finds himself utterly bored. To pass the eternal hours, he dives into Maurice's extensive library, only to emerge a changed being: his faith shattered, his eyes opened to the true, rather underwhelming, identity of 'God' as a minor deity named Ialdabaoth. Disillusioned, Arcade sheds his wings and descends into the bohemian underbelly of Paris, where he encounters a host of other fallen angels. Together, they begin to plot a cosmic coup, a new revolt to liberate Satan and restore him to his rightful place in the celestial hierarchy. Anatole France, with his signature light touch and ironic wit, crafts a philosophical satire that transcends mere fantasy. Through Arcade's journey from celestial boredom to revolutionary fervor, France dissects not only the foundations of faith but also the very anatomy of revolution itself. This prescient novel, published just a few years before the Russian Revolution, offers a chillingly accurate, and deeply cynical, commentary on the cyclical nature of power, suffering, and the often-futile pursuit of utopia.
About The Revolt of the Angels
Chapter Summaries
- I
- Introduction to the d'Esparvieu family history from 1789 to present, establishing their aristocratic Catholic background and the vast library. Maurice is introduced as a young man of leisure.
- II
- Description of the magnificent d'Esparvieu library and its obsessive curator Monsieur Sariette, who guards the 360,000 volumes with jealous devotion.
- III
- Books begin mysteriously moving and disappearing from the library at night, driving Sariette to distraction as he tries to understand the supernatural disturbances.
Key Themes
- Faith vs. Reason
- The novel explores the conflict between religious faith and scientific knowledge, as Arcade loses his belief through study while Maurice clings to traditional faith.
- Revolution and Authority
- The angelic rebellion parallels earthly political revolutions, questioning the legitimacy of divine and temporal authority structures.
- Knowledge and Corruption
- The pursuit of knowledge leads to the corruption of innocence, as seen in Arcade's transformation from pure angel to rebel through learning.
Characters
- Maurice d'Esparvieu(protagonist)
- A young French aristocrat, son of René d'Esparvieu, who becomes entangled with his rebellious guardian angel. Initially frivolous and pleasure-seeking, he develops genuine affection for his angel despite their conflicts.
- Arcade (Abdiel)(protagonist)
- Maurice's guardian angel who becomes incarnate and rebels against God. Intelligent and philosophical, he loses his faith through study and becomes determined to overthrow the divine order.
- René d'Esparvieu(major)
- Maurice's father, a conservative Catholic politician and owner of a vast library. Represents traditional French Catholic aristocracy and is devoted to the Church's interests.
- Monsieur Sariette(major)
- The devoted librarian of the d'Esparvieu collection, a meek man who becomes obsessed with protecting the books. His encounter with the invisible angel drives him to madness and eventually murder.
- Zita (Ithuriel)(major)
- A beautiful and powerful archangel in rebellion, more politically minded than Arcade. She organizes the revolt and represents the pragmatic revolutionary approach.
- Prince Istar(major)
- A former Cherub turned anarchist bomb-maker, representing the violent revolutionary approach. He combines celestial power with earthly radicalism.
