France - Revolt of the Angels

Books are missing from the archbishop's shelves and the librarian is helpless to explain until the culprit is revealed: Arcade the clergyman's guardian angel has been educating himself. Immersion in works of philosophy and science has convinced Arcade that God is a cruel tyrant. Revolution is the only answer and Arcade joins a host of fallen angels to mount a rebellion that proposes to install Satan on the throne of heaven.This 1914 novel by Nobel laureate Anatole France offers a brilliant satire of war government and religion. Published on the eve of World War I the fable voices an ever-resonant protest against violence and despotism. The author's sense of humor brings a remarkably contemporary air to the Paradise Lost scenario and stunning black-and-white illustrations by Frank C. Papé complement the tale's fantasy elements.