The cathedral

Joris-Karl Huysmans

236 pages, parution le 14/09/2023

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Résumé

"The Cathedral" is a novel written by Joris-Karl Huysmans, originally published in French as "La Cathédrale" in 1898. This novel is part of the larger literary movement known as decadence and is a follow-up to Huysmans' earlier work, "Against Nature" ("À rebours"). "The Cathedral" continues to explore themes of decadence, art, and spirituality, but it takes a different narrative approach. The story revolves around the character of Durtal, an author who has previously been the protagonist of Huysmans' works. In this novel, Durtal is researching and writing a book about Gilles de Rais, a 15th-century French nobleman known for his association with Joan of Arc and later for his crimes involving child abduction and murder. This subject matter reflects Durtal's fascination with the darker aspects of history. Durtal also becomes interested in the subject of religious mysticism and decides to spend time at a Trappist monastery in order to explore his spiritual beliefs. As he immerses himself in the austere and contemplative life of the monastery, Durtal grapples with questions of faith, redemption, and the role of art in conveying religious experience. Throughout the novel, Huysmans delves into various philosophical and theological ideas, contrasting the decadent, materialistic world of late 19th-century France with the ascetic, spiritual world of the monastery. "The Cathedral" is a reflection on the complexities of human nature, the search for meaning, and the tension between art and spirituality. In essence, "The Cathedral" is a philosophical and introspective work that explores the intersection of aesthetics, religion, and the human condition. Through Durtal's journey, readers are invited to contemplate the role of art and faith in a world marked by decadence and uncertainty.

L'auteur - Joris-Karl Huysmans

Charles Marie Georges Huysmans naît le 5 février 1848 à Paris et meurt le 12 mai 1907. Parallèlement à sa carrière artistique, Joris-Karl Huysmans - son nom d'auteur - a travaillé toute sa vie au ministère, de l'Intérieur. Tour à tour romancier naturaliste (Marthe, histoire d'une fille, Les Soirées de Médan), ami des Goncourt et de Zola, écrivain décadent (À rebours), chantre du symbolisme (Là-bas), critique d'art - une grande exposition est consacrée à cette facette de l'écrivain à Paris en ce début d'année -, sa conversion au catholicisme le plus pur (En route, La Cathédrale) annonce le tournant pris au début du XX^e siècle par une grande partie de la littérature française par l'intermédiaire des écrivains catholiques Paul Bourget, Léon Bloy ou Charles Péguy.

Huysmans a pris une part active à la vie littéraire et artistique française du dernier quart du XIX^e siècle. Il est un ardent défenseur de Degas, des impressionnistes, des peintres symbolistes et un des "découvreurs" des artistes primitifs.