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A review by marvelmama19
Helena by Evelyn Waugh
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.