Customer Reviews

Under Satan's Sun

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Bernanos' book is a fringhteningly real account of a priest engaged in great spiritual struggles. The victory over evil shown in the life of this priest, and in the lives of those he is called to serve, is amazing. This book is well worth reading by anyone who takes the struggle for holiness and triumph over evil seriously.

I was lead to this book by reading an allocutio by Paul VI on the existence of the Devil - the Pope refers explicitly to this book.
This book is extremely dark; the encounter between the young priest and the devil at night is brilliantly written and again the encounter in the same night where the priest meets a young murderess, sees into her soul and narrates to her the story of her life, is haunting. The priest seems to be modelled (to some extent) on the Cure of Ars (John Vianney). The whiles of Satan are brillinatly captured; the priest's hatred of Satan seems to entrap him and to lead him to despair. He appears defeated by the lifelong struggle with the Prince of this World.

And, what does one make of his unsuccessful attempt to raise the young dead lad? He seems to be seeking to tempt God, as if asking for a sign that Satan is not the victor. This is a very complex book, illuminating areas of the spiritual life, seldom addressed in these times - a kind of recognition of the subtlety of Satan's activity. One comes away feeling: there is too much darkness in this book. Why no heavenly light; where is the "I have overcome the world"? Bernanos's vision of reality is dark indeed, think also of his Dialogue des Carmelites (which served as a libretto for Poulenc's opera) and the old nun despairing in her sick bed. And, yet the voice of Bernanos needs to be heard; a reminder that whilst the Cross marks victory over Satan, the victory is not completed until the end of the world.

Rome's chief exorcist,Fr. Gabriele Amorth, recomended this novel because of its healthy deptiction of the demonic. So you know your in good hands when reading this book.The book simultaneously portrays Lucifer as "prince of this world" and "slave of Christ," for the sanctification of the saints. It is a really good book for anyone who wishes to know the true nature of the demonic. Contrary to what many 'learned catholics' may say, it is not wrong for us to be interested in learning about the Satan. It is as healthy as an athlete studying his opponent before a battle.

Godbless.