Query for Mr. Klimon

External Since: Dec 08, 2004 Posts: 108

I am posting this with the hope that someone
with a website bearing the distinguished
name "catholicbookcollector" might have
both the knowledge and the kindness to
assist in a matter regarding two of what
might be the greatest Catholic novels
ever written.

I refer of course to novels by
Jules Barbey D'Aurevilly, specifically
two with titles often translated as, first,
"The Enchanted," and secondly as, "A Married
Priest." Sadly, although the titles
are sometimes translated in discussions
of Catholic fiction, I can not find
any evidence that the books themselves
have ever been translated into English.

Abebooks, for instance, lists only the
original French versions of those classics.
No English translations are shown. From
what I understand, D'Aurevilly's book about the
married priest is one of the earliest novels
to tackle what would have been of course a
very ticklish subject in 19th century
France. It would be intriguing to
discover how the great Catholic novelist
dealt with this controversial matter.
Also, as I understand it, the other
novel (with the title which translates
as "The Enchanted")deals with important
aspects of the French Revolution which
are often today overlooked.

My question is (and I welcome thoughtful,
informative responses from any knowledgeable
member of this forum): Do you happen to know
if these two Catholic novels have ever been
translated into English, and, if so, where
the translations might be obtained, since
they are not currently to be found in Abebooks?
Mr. Palmer
Book Room 314

External Since: Jan 31, 2004 Posts: 36

Marse Palmer writes:

>Do you happen to know
>if these two Catholic novels have ever been
>translated into English

Here's one:

Barbey d'Aurevilly, J. (Jules), 1808-1889.
Bewitched [Ensorcelée], translated from the French by Louise Collier Willcox,
with an introduction by Ernest Boyd.
New York and London, Harper & Brothers, 1928.
276 p. 18 cm (11 copies curently on ABE).

I couldn't find an English translation of Prêtre Marié either.

Merry Christmas!
Bob
Print Matters! Used & Rare Books
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.abebooks.com/home/printmat" target="_blank">http://www.abebooks.com/home/printmat</a>