''The Devils of Loudun'' is a 1952
non-fiction novel by
Aldous Huxley.
Premise
It is a
historical narrative
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
of supposed
demonic possession
Spirit possession is an unusual or altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors purportedly caused by the control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods. The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and reli ...
,
religious fanaticism,
sexual repression, and
mass hysteria that occurred in 17th-century France surrounding
unexplained events that took place in the small town of
Loudun. It centers on
Roman Catholic priest
Urbain Grandier and an entire convent of
Ursuline nuns, who allegedly became possessed by demons after Grandier made
a pact with Satan. The events led to several public
exorcisms as well as executions by
burning
Combustion, or burning, is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel (the reductant) and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen, that produces oxidized, often gaseous products, in a mixture termed as smoke. Combusti ...
.
The book, though lesser known than Huxley's other books, is considered one of his best works.
Historical details
Urbain Grandier was a priest burned at the stake at
Loudun,
France on 18 August 1634. He was accused of seducing an entire convent of
Ursuline nuns and of being in league with the devil. Grandier was likely promiscuous and was insolent towards his peers. He had antagonized the Mother Superior, Sister Jeanne of the Angels, when he rejected her offer to become the spiritual advisor to the convent. He faced an ecclesiastical tribunal and was acquitted.
It was only after he had publicly spoken against
Cardinal Richelieu
Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu (; 9 September 1585 – 4 December 1642), known as Cardinal Richelieu, was a French clergyman and statesman. He was also known as ''l'Éminence rouge'', or "the Red Eminence", a term derived from the ...
that a new trial was ordered by the Cardinal. He was tortured, found guilty and executed by being burnt alive, but never admitted guilt. Huxley touches on aspects of the
multiple personality controversy
Dissociative identity disorder (DID), better known as multiple personality disorder or multiple personality syndrome, is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states.
The di ...
in cases of apparent
demonic possession
Spirit possession is an unusual or altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors purportedly caused by the control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods. The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and reli ...
within this book.
Adaptations
The story was adapted into a 1960
stage play
A play is a work of drama, usually consisting mostly of dialogue between Character (arts), characters and intended for theatre, theatrical performance rather than just Reading (process), reading. The writer of a play is called a playwright.
Pla ...
by
playwright
A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays.
Etymology
The word "play" is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, pleġa, plæġa ("play, exercise; sport, game; drama, applause"). The word "wright" is an archaic English ...
John Whiting, which was, in turn, adapted into the twice-filmed 1969 opera
''Die Teufel von Loudun'' by
Krzysztof Penderecki and the 1971
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films in the main were liberal adaptation ...
feature film ''
The Devils'' starring
Vanessa Redgrave and
Oliver Reed.
See also
* The
Loudun possessions — historical events the book was based upon
* ''
Dreams of Roses and Fire
''Dreams of Roses and Fire'' ( sv, Drömmar om rosor och eld) is a novel by the Swedish author Eyvind Johnson published in 1949.
Set in 1600s France, it is based on the events known as the Loudun possessions and the historical person Urbain Gra ...
'' — a 1949 novel by
Eyvind Johnson based on the same events.
* ''
Mother Joan of the Angels'' — a 1961 Polish film
* ''
The Devils''
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devils Of Loudun
1952 non-fiction books
Books by Aldous Huxley
Chatto & Windus books
Non-fiction novels
Works adapted into operas
Works about sexual repression