Status
Available
Publication
Editions Flammarion (1981), Edition: 1, 511 pages
Description
A novel of 16th century Europe. A young man, destined for the Church, rejects his theological studies and takes up with the scientific studies of the times.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dragonflyy419
Marguerite Yourcenar wove a story like few I have read in her novel The Abyss. The novel follows the journey through life of the fictional philosopher and physician Zeno in 16th century Europe. The novel was originally written in french and was translated into english by Grace Frick in
The scenes within describe in detail a quest for knowledge and the general adventures that a scholar/philosopher/alchemist/physician comes across throughout his lifetime. Yourcenar was adept at providing highly descriptive scenes with vivid imagery. Every aspect of the book brings you into the world of the 1500′s Europe. Each character that Zeno comes across is described with great care, making all the parts of the book come to life that much more.
The historical nature of the book is fascinating as Yourcenar takes you in a journey across many parts of Europe, but she keeps primarily to Belgium. Much of the history revolves around the church. There are many descriptions within of aspects of the Inquisition. Much of the time the characters are surrounded by the burnings of heretics by the church and wars among the nations which add a somber backdrop to the story.
A great part of the book is spent in discussions of a philosophic nature. Some of my favorite scenes were ones where there was no action, but intense debate on the matters of religion and God.
Overall Marguerite Yourcenar’s The Abyss is a book worthy of being considered a 20th century classic. It is a beautifully written detailed account of the life of one man in 16th century Europe. If you are interested in history, the Inquisition, and philosophy this is a book well worth reading.
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collaboration with Yourcenar. Marguerite Yourcenar was a brilliant writer and the first woman to be elected to the Academie Francaise. Her wealth of knowledge is shown well by the book The Abyss. She uses vast amounts of detail to weave a remarkable story. The tale at first seems to be one that would be read slowly, but instead I found myself hungrily devouring this book and all of the stories within.The scenes within describe in detail a quest for knowledge and the general adventures that a scholar/philosopher/alchemist/physician comes across throughout his lifetime. Yourcenar was adept at providing highly descriptive scenes with vivid imagery. Every aspect of the book brings you into the world of the 1500′s Europe. Each character that Zeno comes across is described with great care, making all the parts of the book come to life that much more.
The historical nature of the book is fascinating as Yourcenar takes you in a journey across many parts of Europe, but she keeps primarily to Belgium. Much of the history revolves around the church. There are many descriptions within of aspects of the Inquisition. Much of the time the characters are surrounded by the burnings of heretics by the church and wars among the nations which add a somber backdrop to the story.
A great part of the book is spent in discussions of a philosophic nature. Some of my favorite scenes were ones where there was no action, but intense debate on the matters of religion and God.
Overall Marguerite Yourcenar’s The Abyss is a book worthy of being considered a 20th century classic. It is a beautifully written detailed account of the life of one man in 16th century Europe. If you are interested in history, the Inquisition, and philosophy this is a book well worth reading.
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LibraryThing member AlanSkinner
I read this over 20 years ago and it still remains strongly in my head.
Yourcenar's prose is not the delicious sort, delighting the reader with inventive wordplay or imagery that creates new visions of the world by a new interoperation of the senses. Her prose is controlled, at times almost
Zeno's journey is one of the most fascinating I have been taken on by a writer. He is a rebel, a thinker, and a human being with frailties. He amazed me, he frustrate due but he never disappointed me.
I was constantly reminded of Eliot's Adam Bede when I read this. Both are books about characters with ideas and ideals; both written without the belligerence politics but underpinned by social and political philosophy.
It's a great book that deserves to endure.
Yourcenar's prose is not the delicious sort, delighting the reader with inventive wordplay or imagery that creates new visions of the world by a new interoperation of the senses. Her prose is controlled, at times almost
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surgical, but it flows effortlessly, and it flows from the mind outward. It is intellectual and incisive.Zeno's journey is one of the most fascinating I have been taken on by a writer. He is a rebel, a thinker, and a human being with frailties. He amazed me, he frustrate due but he never disappointed me.
I was constantly reminded of Eliot's Adam Bede when I read this. Both are books about characters with ideas and ideals; both written without the belligerence politics but underpinned by social and political philosophy.
It's a great book that deserves to endure.
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LibraryThing member nullset
The life of Zeno, a fictional 16th century alchemist, philosopher, physician. The historical backdrop is convincing (and seems accurate) and Zeno has a rich internal life. Beautiful writing. I think of it as a European counterpoint to Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev.
Awards
Prix Femina (1968)
Language
Original language
French
Original publication date
1968
Physical description
511 p.; 8.66 inches
ISBN
2070367983 / 9782070367986