The Lamb

by François Mauriac

. with dustjacket, bright clean copy, no markings, Professional booksellers since 1981

Genres: Fiction

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

François Charles Mauriac was a French writer and a member of the Académie française. He was awarded the 1952 Nobel Prize in Literature "for the deep spiritual insight and the artistic intensity with which he has in his novels penetrated the drama of human life." Mauriac is acknowledged to be one of the greatest Roman Catholic writers of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Old Man and the Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a few of Mauriac's books and all have been very good but this one just didn't work for me. It seemed too contrived and parts just didn't make sense. It's about a young man, Xavier, on his way to a seminary to study for the priesthood when he meets a man who talks him into coming home with him to help him with his marriage. The story is supposed to parallel the life of Christ somehow but I really didn't see it except for a few vague similarities, but then, I have to admit, I really don't know that much about the supposed life of Christ. It just wasn't an enjoyable read for me.

[BENJAMIN JONES]

31. "C'est justement pour cela que je veux être prêtre, dit Xavier, pour être du côté des pécheurs, pour leur être consacré, livré, sauvé avec eux, perdu avec eux...

137. Le visage de Xavier s'éclaira :
« Vous avez la foi », dit-il.
Le prêtre hocha la tête : « Au sens large ? Mais bien sûr !
– Je crois aux forces cachées avec lesquelles il est téméraire de jouer. »

[Paul Heidebrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like novels with a flawed religious character ending up as a Christ-figure of sorts. Like Power and Glory by Graham Greene. Add this one from Francois Mauriac. Beautifully done.

[João Neves · Rating 3 out of 5]

A primeira cena é a minha preferida: num comboio que se dirige a Paris encontram-se frente a frente dois jovens conterrâneos, mas de origem social distinta: Jean de Mirbel, de uma família terratenente, pretende divorciar-se, e Xavier, de condição modesta, prepara-se para se formar padre. Este quer evitar o divórcio de Jean, o qual, por sua vez pretende dissuadir Xavier de ir para o seminário. Os dois têm vivências religiosas opostas, Jean é crítico em relação às exigências e aos sacrifícios que o catolicismo impõe, e Xavier é obcecado pela dimensão sacrificial da sua conduta. Falha a entrada no seminário para reunir os esposos Mirbel e sacrifica tudo, incluindo a própria vida, para garantir uma vida melhor a uma criança órfã que os Mirbel pretendem devolver ao orfanato de onde ele veio. Um bom romance mas não está entre os melhores de Mauriac (Lido em julho de 2019)

[Rasmus Tillander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voi Mauriac...

Neljäs kirja. Vieläkään en päässyt sisälle. Tässä on pappisseminaariin matkalla oleva Xavier, jonka aiemmasta kirjasta tuttu Jean taivuttelee hänet takaisin kotiin. Xavierilla on kaikenlaisia tunnon tuskia ja sitten on traagista draamaa. Kristusmetafora-tarina, mutta ei nyt erityisen iskevä sellainen.

Kenties viidennessä kirjassa pääsen sitten sisään?

[Conor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his best.