MALTAVERNE

by Francois Mauriac ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1970

This is the first new work by the Monsignor of the traditional Catholic novel although new is perhaps not the right word. The parochial life of the provinces, the interior struggles of a young man, and in particular his irresolution between his religious scruples and the genuine validity of his faith (is it other-directed or is it only a means of ensuring that he will not founder?) are established concerns in almost all of Mauriac's works. These are the notebooks of Alain who when first met is falling away from the Church. He is a solitary quietist; only his grandfather's house, Maltaverne, seems to hold meaning for him, while to his mother it just represents property. The conflict with his mother is engaged early on, not only because of Maltaverne, but later because of the young woman who finally abandons him to her. A local tragedy in which he assumes partial guilt finally energizes him to go on and away. Once again the stasis of this vis inertiae is traced with fine drawn lucidity although at times the dispersal of the reader's attention seems inevitable. The tone, however appropriate, is so disconsolate.

Pub Date: June 1, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION