Messiah (Vidal novel)
ISBN 9780141180397 | | |
| Preceded by | The Judgement of Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Followed by | A Thirsty Evil | |
Messiah is a satirical novel by
E.P. Dutton.[2]
It is the story of the creation of a new religion, Cavism, which quickly comes to replace the established but failing Christian religion.
Plot summary
The novel is written as the memoir of Eugene Luther (Vidal's birth name), one of the first followers of Cavism, founded by John Cave, an American undertaker. Cave teaches, among other things, not to fear death and to actually desire it under certain circumstances. Later followers come to glorify death, and even enforce it on other members. The founder John Cave is himself killed by his followers when he proves inconvenient for the new religion's development.
Eventually, Cavism is successful in completely displacing and exterminating
The Virgin Mary and before that in Isis
and others. This "Irisian" element becomes grafted on to Cavism, as it was earlier grafted on Christianity.
See also
References
- ^ "Books Published Today". The New York Times: 23. April 26, 1954.
- ^ Guide to First Edition Prices 2004/5, Tartarus Press