The Holy Sinner
Thomas Mann, Helen T. Lowe-Porter (Translator), H. T. Lowe-PorterBooks.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
First published in 1951, The Holy Sinner explores a subject that fascinated Thomas Mann...the origins of evil and evil's connection with magic. Here Mann uses a medieval leg about "the exceeding mercy of God and the birth of the blessed Pope Gregory" as he used the Biblical account of Joseph as the basis for Joseph and His Brothers, illuminating with his ironic sensibility the notion of original sin and transience of evil.Synopsis
First published in 1951, The Holy Sinner explores a subject that fascinated Thomas Mann to the end of his life—the origins of evil and evil's connection with magic. Here Mann uses a medieval legend about 'the exceeding mercy of God and the birth of the blessed Pope Gregory' as he used the Biblical account of Joseph as the basis for Joseph and His Brothers—illuminating with his ironic sensibility the notion of original sin and transcendence of evil.
San Francisco Chronicle Book Review - Lewis Vogler
The Holy Sinner is at one level, a tale of "transfiguration by divine mercy." At still another it is a brilliantly erudite spoofing of medieval superstition and the traditions of chivalry—for which the author obviously has so great an affection. Perhaps only Mann could have created a narrator like Clemens so scholarly, humane, crotchety, and devout—but above all anxious to turn out a good story.
Editorials
Lewis Vogler
The Holy Sinner is at one level, a tale of "transfiguration by divine mercy." At still another it is a brilliantly erudite spoofing of medieval superstition and the traditions of chivalry—for which the author obviously has so great an affection. Perhaps only Mann could have created a narrator like Clemens so scholarly, humane, crotchety, and devout—but above all anxious to turn out a good story.—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
Stephen Sper
A small masterpiece….It is a triumph of art indistinguishable from moral sensibility which makes the miraculous, most incredible part of the story….the most convincing.—New York Times Book Review