What is the summary of the book The Holy Innocents written by Gilbert Adair? Information about the summary, characters and analysis of The Holy Innocents.
The Holy Innocents
“The Holy Innocents” is a novel written by Gilbert Adair. Unfortunately, I do not have information regarding its publication date, as my training data only goes up until 2021. However, I can provide some information on its theme and plot.
The novel is a retelling of the story of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” but set against the backdrop of Paris during the French Revolution. The protagonist, Cyrano, is a passionate and idealistic writer, who falls in love with a beautiful woman named Roxane. However, Roxane is in love with a man named Christian, who is physically handsome but lacks the wit and intelligence that Cyrano possesses.
Throughout the novel, Adair explores the themes of love, beauty, and identity. He raises questions about the nature of beauty and whether it is solely physical or if it encompasses inner qualities as well. The novel also touches on the topic of revolution and the effects it has on society, as well as the individual.
Overall, “The Holy Innocents” is a thought-provoking and romantic novel that offers a unique take on the classic story of “Cyrano de Bergerac.”
Summary
“The Holy Innocents” is a retelling of the classic story of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The novel explores themes of love, beauty, and identity through the experiences of its protagonist, Cyrano.
Cyrano is a passionate and idealistic writer who is deeply in love with a beautiful woman named Roxane. Despite his feelings for her, Roxane is in love with a man named Christian, who is physically handsome but lacks the wit and intelligence that Cyrano possesses. This sets the stage for a complex and tragic love triangle, as Cyrano is torn between his love for Roxane and his desire to protect her from the harsh realities of the revolution.
Throughout the novel, Adair raises questions about the nature of beauty, asking if it is solely physical or if it encompasses inner qualities as well. He uses the character of Cyrano to challenge conventional ideas about beauty and love, and to show the power and importance of inner qualities such as wit, intelligence, and passion.
As the revolution continues to escalate, Cyrano decides to help Roxane and Christian by writing letters to her on Christian’s behalf. However, this leads to a tragic ending as Christian is killed in battle and Cyrano eventually succumbs to his wounds. Despite the tragedy of the ending, the novel ultimately celebrates the power of love and the beauty of the human spirit.
The themes of “The Holy Innocents” are both timely and timeless. Adair’s exploration of the relationship between beauty and inner qualities remains relevant, as does his examination of the effects of revolution on society and the individual. Through the character of Cyrano and his experiences, the novel invites readers to reflect on their own ideas about love, beauty, and identity, and to consider the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Characters
Here is a list of the major characters in “The Holy Innocents”:
- Cyrano: The protagonist of the novel and a passionate and idealistic writer. Cyrano is deeply in love with Roxane, but is unable to express his feelings to her due to his physical appearance.
- Roxane: A beautiful woman who is the object of Cyrano’s affections. Roxane is in love with Christian, but is eventually won over by Cyrano’s wit and intelligence.
- Christian: A physically handsome man who is in love with Roxane. Christian is intellectually limited, which leads to his reliance on Cyrano to write letters to Roxane on his behalf.
- Le Bret: A close friend of Cyrano who is concerned about his welfare.
- Ragueneau: A pastry chef who is a friend of Cyrano.
- Montfleury: An actor who is intimidated by Cyrano’s wit and intelligence.
- De Guiche: A nobleman who is a rival of Cyrano’s.
- Ligniere: A drunkard who is friends with Cyrano.
- The Duke de Grammont: A nobleman who is an ally of Cyrano’s.
These characters play key roles in the novel and help to advance the plot and explore the themes of love, beauty, and identity. Through their interactions and experiences, Adair is able to provide a nuanced and multi-layered examination of these themes and the complexities of human relationships.
