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aliteralfield's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The story of Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helena and the path to her becoming a saint.
Completely different from the other 3 Waugh books I’ve read, which are all set between 1920-40. This dives back to 300AD telling a digestible history of Helena.
It was very interesting for Waugh to depict a time when Rome was moving about from polytheism to Christianity, accepted by Constantine. Helena goes on a journey herself physically and spiritually to convert to Christianity and she does so by finding the True Cross.
I had to question why this books took such a different tone from his other works but then I realised he converted to Christianity in 1930 so through Helena, Waugh can share his journey to Catholicism
Completely different from the other 3 Waugh books I’ve read, which are all set between 1920-40. This dives back to 300AD telling a digestible history of Helena.
It was very interesting for Waugh to depict a time when Rome was moving about from polytheism to Christianity, accepted by Constantine. Helena goes on a journey herself physically and spiritually to convert to Christianity and she does so by finding the True Cross.
I had to question why this books took such a different tone from his other works but then I realised he converted to Christianity in 1930 so through Helena, Waugh can share his journey to Catholicism
marvelmama19's review against another edition
5.0
A completely different book than my love, Brideshead, but that is okay. This novel tells the story of St. Helena and her discovery of the True Cross. Yes, it's a hagiography, but it is also a good story, a commentary on our times, and literary apologetic, as well.
There are delightful moments, such as when Helena's father, King Coel, calls for his pipe, his bowl of food, and three fiddlers. Lots of clever writing by Waugh.
One of the most interesting things about this book is its treatment of conversion to Catholicism. Knowing that Waugh was a convert, as was St. Helena, it is beautiful when she prays to the Magi,
"You are my especial patrons," said Helena, "and patrons of all late-comers, of all who have a tedious journey to make to the truth, of all who are confused with knowledge and speculation, of all who through politeness make themselves partners in guilt, of all who stand in danger by reason of their talents."
It perfectly captures my feelings about my long path to Catholicism. I wasn't expecting the emphasis on conversion, but I already have plans to gift this to many people from my RCIA program.
Another interesting focus of the book is the contrast between myths and legends, Mount Olympus, and the cult of the Christians, The Cross. At the beginning of the novel, Helena is listening to the Iliad and wondering if it really happened. She is curious about the archeology which would verify the claims of the myths. She is never able to find absolute confirmation that the myths are true, that they really happened.
At the end of the book, though, we read the narrator saying:
But the wood as endured. In splinters and shavings, gorgeously encased, it has traveled the world over and found a joyous welcome among every race.
For it states a fact.
Hounds are checked, hunting wild. A horn calls clear through the convert. Helena casts them back on the scent.
Above all the babble of her ages and ours, she makes one blunt assertion. And there alone lies hope."
It seems that in finding the True Cross, Helena has differentiated Christianity from the myths.
There are delightful moments, such as when Helena's father, King Coel, calls for his pipe, his bowl of food, and three fiddlers. Lots of clever writing by Waugh.
One of the most interesting things about this book is its treatment of conversion to Catholicism. Knowing that Waugh was a convert, as was St. Helena, it is beautiful when she prays to the Magi,
"You are my especial patrons," said Helena, "and patrons of all late-comers, of all who have a tedious journey to make to the truth, of all who are confused with knowledge and speculation, of all who through politeness make themselves partners in guilt, of all who stand in danger by reason of their talents."
It perfectly captures my feelings about my long path to Catholicism. I wasn't expecting the emphasis on conversion, but I already have plans to gift this to many people from my RCIA program.
Another interesting focus of the book is the contrast between myths and legends, Mount Olympus, and the cult of the Christians, The Cross. At the beginning of the novel, Helena is listening to the Iliad and wondering if it really happened. She is curious about the archeology which would verify the claims of the myths. She is never able to find absolute confirmation that the myths are true, that they really happened.
At the end of the book, though, we read the narrator saying:
But the wood as endured. In splinters and shavings, gorgeously encased, it has traveled the world over and found a joyous welcome among every race.
For it states a fact.
Hounds are checked, hunting wild. A horn calls clear through the convert. Helena casts them back on the scent.
Above all the babble of her ages and ours, she makes one blunt assertion. And there alone lies hope."
It seems that in finding the True Cross, Helena has differentiated Christianity from the myths.
phantomeyer's review
3.0
Written for skeptics by a devout man. Alludes to murky tales from history, but that merely prompts google searches and a general dissatisfaction that the novel contains too little of either fact or fiction.
vgrande's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful narrative of the women who brought back so many ancient relics from the Holy Land. While my historical heart breaks that some things weren't kept as they were - when the pieces of the cross were distributed across the world it calls to mind the universality of the Churc.
mbellsamantha's review against another edition
4.0
(3.75) I bought a set of Evelyn Waugh paperbacks on bookoutlet a long time ago because I loved the matching covers, but I think that was a mistake. This I enjoyed, but from what I've read it's the outlier in his bibliography. Makes me think I'm not gonna care much for the rest.
spellcute's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
lilithsternins's review against another edition
3.75
Interesting and some great quotes. Wish I could remember the priests name who mentioned it in his homily. I wish the writing was more organized and the pacing was more consistent.
ryanofmaryland's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic.
The narrator brilliantly moves from exterior events into the inner workings of the mind of the Empress Helena, mother of the fabled Constantine, and then back out to exterior events. The reader will get a reasonably accurate exploration of the life, times, and aspirations of Roman civilization at the cusp of radical changes through the perspective of an intelligent and thoughtful, passionate and longsuffering woman, who experiences those same aspirations and changes in her own personal life. The reader will get beautiful prose. The reader will get drawn into meditative reflections on life and purpose and limitations and beauty and joy.
I can see why Waugh considered this his most important work.
The narrator brilliantly moves from exterior events into the inner workings of the mind of the Empress Helena, mother of the fabled Constantine, and then back out to exterior events. The reader will get a reasonably accurate exploration of the life, times, and aspirations of Roman civilization at the cusp of radical changes through the perspective of an intelligent and thoughtful, passionate and longsuffering woman, who experiences those same aspirations and changes in her own personal life. The reader will get beautiful prose. The reader will get drawn into meditative reflections on life and purpose and limitations and beauty and joy.
I can see why Waugh considered this his most important work.
tbr_tyrant's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0