The Devils of Loudun

[Becky Lindroos]

Yup - I read it a few years ago -  it is indeed creepy but historically accurate (generally).  It’s called a novel because of the dialogue and there’s a lot of speculative stuff about how characters/subjects felt, etc.  (This is not unlike Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood or that Julia Alvarez story or Mailer’s Executioner’s Song - more.)  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudun_possessions

The book is not easy reading but imo none of Huxley’s stuff is - I think his prose totally lacks rhythm and it’s pretty dry for the subject (maybe not).   I read his book Island not too long ago.  

I think others have written about the Loudun events,  but … ??? had to look it up -   Jerzy Kawalerowicz’   Mother Joan of the Angels.    

The story has been made into a movie a couple times -  one with Vanessa Redgrave no less - titled “The Devils”  1971 British. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_(film)

Kawalerowicz’ book was also made into a film.  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Joan_of_the_Angels

Becky 




> On Jan 12, 2016, at 11:37 AM, Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net> wrote:
> 
> Thanks. I’m glad I asked. I would think it could make a real creepy and engaging movie. Prolly watch it after the book.
>> On Jan 12, 2016, at 1:44 PM, Joseph Cerrato <ojpesh at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> There's a movie by Ken Russel based on these events and Huxley's book.
>> 
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_%28film%29
>> 
>> 2016-01-12 18:34 GMT+01:00 Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net>:
>> I am a third of the way into an Aldous Huxley work of nonfiction called the Devils of Loudun.  Sometimes he over-strains to make a point in his commentary but it is a fascinating piece of writing combining thorough historical research with a kind of psycological and spiritual analysis of  the early 1600s in France and in particular all the characters surrounding a combative, womanizing  FrenchJesuit Parson and how an incident of what was labeled as demonic posession of a group of nuns played out in the France of Cardinal Richelieu.
>> 
>> Has anyone else read this? Thoughts, even the briefest, would be appreciated. -
>> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
>> 
> 
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