Atheist book review [View all]

[Cartoonist]

Last month I finished reading The Black Tower by Louis Bayard. It was a novel set in 19th century France. It concerned the dauphin and a detective name Vidocq. I enjoyed the reading. I like historical novels, and this one had its humorous moments, so I was eager to read another novel by Bayard.



This one really went straight to my heart as it concerned historical figures that were of interest to me. Alas, this one lacked the humor of its predecessor. It also went back and forth from the past to the present. The characters in the present were, for the most part, unlikeable and uninteresting. Still, I soldiered on and am now in the final chapters. I may or may not finish it, but I want to quote from it, so I won't wait until I reach the end.

The main characters in the past were in a group of atheists that formed a club later given the name The School of Night. Its two main fugures were Sir Walter Ralegh and Thomas Harriot. The latter is an interesting figure. I went to my library to see if there was a biography about him, but they didn't have one. I'll have to go somewhere else to track one down.

Here are a few paragraphs he says in the later chapters about his experience with the native Americans:

-Oh, you may look with scorn upon these savages, so like unto sheep. But now I ask you my friends. Were you and I any different in how we came to God? Were we not, as children, seduced by tricks--by music and incense and signs and omens? Were we not dazzled by power? Our parents, our priests, our kings and queens, all claiming a divine sanction for their sovereignty over us? Were we any less credulous than the natives of Virginia? Any less quick to obey?

-From the very moment of our birth, we were played upon. And we were conquered, gentlemen, just as surely as the Algonkins. Why? Because without our consent, without the consent of all men, a society--a church--a monarchy--cannot hope to endure. It follows, then, that said consent must be secured by the quickest and surest means to hand. Which is to say . . . God.

-Tonight, then, I ask you. Has God ever spoken to you? His mouth to your ear? Or was God just the birch rod that brought you to your knees?