What do you think?
Rate this book
THE POPE OF ATLANTIS
THE POPE OF
ATLANTIS
My new stand-alone novel, The Pope of Atlantis, is a post-apocalyptic thriller with moral and religious undertones governing the narrative. It is just over 90,000 words. The narrative centers around a man who cannot die, a small population of survivors remaining after a global cataclysm, and the possibility that the world may be ending.
WILLIAM FERRAIOLO
William Ferraiolo received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma in 1997. Since that time, he has been teaching philosophy at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. His books Cynical Maxims and Marginalia, Meditations on Self-Discipline and Stoic Exercise for Mental Fitness, A Life Worth Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism, You Die at the Meditations on Mortality and the Human Condition, God Bless the Broken Meditations Over One Botched, Bungled and Beautiful Year, The Exile at Meditations on the Passing Madness, American Your Personal Secession Manifesto, Fractured Notes on Odd Stuff from Coffee to Coffins, The Little Book of Mental Endure What You Must, Accomplish What You Can, and Embrace the Struggle, and Slave and Remarks on the Stoic Handbook of Epictetus.
ATLANTIS
My new stand-alone novel, The Pope of Atlantis, is a post-apocalyptic thriller with moral and religious undertones governing the narrative. It is just over 90,000 words. The narrative centers around a man who cannot die, a small population of survivors remaining after a global cataclysm, and the possibility that the world may be ending.
WILLIAM FERRAIOLO
William Ferraiolo received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma in 1997. Since that time, he has been teaching philosophy at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. His books Cynical Maxims and Marginalia, Meditations on Self-Discipline and Stoic Exercise for Mental Fitness, A Life Worth Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism, You Die at the Meditations on Mortality and the Human Condition, God Bless the Broken Meditations Over One Botched, Bungled and Beautiful Year, The Exile at Meditations on the Passing Madness, American Your Personal Secession Manifesto, Fractured Notes on Odd Stuff from Coffee to Coffins, The Little Book of Mental Endure What You Must, Accomplish What You Can, and Embrace the Struggle, and Slave and Remarks on the Stoic Handbook of Epictetus.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 16, 2025
REVIEW ON "THE POPE OF ATLANTIS" BY WILLIAM FERRAIOLO
The Pope of Atlantis" by William Ferraiolo is a philosophical and satirical novel that blends elements of speculative fiction, theology, and political allegory. Ferraiolo, primarily known for his work on Stoicism, uses this narrative to explore the intersection of power, belief, and human nature.
Review on Plot
The novel is set in a fictionalized version of Atlantis—not as a sunken myth, but as a thriving, technologically advanced, yet spiritually decadent society. The plot centers on the unexpected elevation of a new "Pope" to lead the Atlantean religious-political machine.
Unlike traditional tales of Atlantis that focus on its destruction, Ferraiolo focuses on its internal rot. The story follows the protagonist’s journey through the labyrinthine bureaucracy and moral compromises of the Atlantean elite. The narrative serves as a vehicle for the author to critique modern religious institutions and the ways in which spiritual truths are often weaponized for political control. The "fall" of Atlantis in this book is less about a physical flood and more about a slow-motion ethical collapse.
Critical Review:
Strengths:
Intellectual Depth: Ferraiolo’s background in philosophy shines through. The book is dense with ideas about Stoicism, the nature of God, and the corrupting influence of absolute power. It challenges the reader to think rather than just consume a story.
Satirical Wit: The book is effectively "mean" in its satire. It successfully skewers the pomposity of organized religion and the absurdity of political posturing.
Unique World-Building: Instead of the standard "swords and sandals" Atlantis, the author creates a world that feels eerily relevant to 21st-century concerns regarding technology and moral decay.
Ferraiolo takes the "immortal man" concept and strips away the glamour. Usually, being unable to die is a superpower; here, it is a spiritual prison. The book shines when it explores the psychological toll of outliving the world.
Weaknesses:
Pacing: Because the book is so focused on philosophical discourse, the plot can sometimes feel secondary. Readers looking for a fast-paced action-adventure may find the long meditative passages and dialogues tedious.
Dense Prose: Ferraiolo uses a sophisticated, sometimes academic vocabulary. While this fits the "Pope" persona and the setting, it can make the book less accessible to a general audience.
Character Relatability: The characters often feel more like "types" or "philosophical positions" rather than flesh-and-blood people. It can be hard to form an emotional connection with the protagonist when he is so occupied with abstract thought.
Conclusion:
"The Pope of Atlantis" is a thinking person’s fantasy novel. It is less about the "where" of Atlantis and more about the "why" of human civilization. It is a recommended read for anyone interested in a Stoic’s take on the collapse of a superpower. It is a haunting reminder that the greatest threat to any society is rarely an external enemy, but its own loss of purpose.
The Pope of Atlantis" by William Ferraiolo is a philosophical and satirical novel that blends elements of speculative fiction, theology, and political allegory. Ferraiolo, primarily known for his work on Stoicism, uses this narrative to explore the intersection of power, belief, and human nature.
Review on Plot
The novel is set in a fictionalized version of Atlantis—not as a sunken myth, but as a thriving, technologically advanced, yet spiritually decadent society. The plot centers on the unexpected elevation of a new "Pope" to lead the Atlantean religious-political machine.
Unlike traditional tales of Atlantis that focus on its destruction, Ferraiolo focuses on its internal rot. The story follows the protagonist’s journey through the labyrinthine bureaucracy and moral compromises of the Atlantean elite. The narrative serves as a vehicle for the author to critique modern religious institutions and the ways in which spiritual truths are often weaponized for political control. The "fall" of Atlantis in this book is less about a physical flood and more about a slow-motion ethical collapse.
Critical Review:
Strengths:
Intellectual Depth: Ferraiolo’s background in philosophy shines through. The book is dense with ideas about Stoicism, the nature of God, and the corrupting influence of absolute power. It challenges the reader to think rather than just consume a story.
Satirical Wit: The book is effectively "mean" in its satire. It successfully skewers the pomposity of organized religion and the absurdity of political posturing.
Unique World-Building: Instead of the standard "swords and sandals" Atlantis, the author creates a world that feels eerily relevant to 21st-century concerns regarding technology and moral decay.
Ferraiolo takes the "immortal man" concept and strips away the glamour. Usually, being unable to die is a superpower; here, it is a spiritual prison. The book shines when it explores the psychological toll of outliving the world.
Weaknesses:
Pacing: Because the book is so focused on philosophical discourse, the plot can sometimes feel secondary. Readers looking for a fast-paced action-adventure may find the long meditative passages and dialogues tedious.
Dense Prose: Ferraiolo uses a sophisticated, sometimes academic vocabulary. While this fits the "Pope" persona and the setting, it can make the book less accessible to a general audience.
Character Relatability: The characters often feel more like "types" or "philosophical positions" rather than flesh-and-blood people. It can be hard to form an emotional connection with the protagonist when he is so occupied with abstract thought.
Conclusion:
"The Pope of Atlantis" is a thinking person’s fantasy novel. It is less about the "where" of Atlantis and more about the "why" of human civilization. It is a recommended read for anyone interested in a Stoic’s take on the collapse of a superpower. It is a haunting reminder that the greatest threat to any society is rarely an external enemy, but its own loss of purpose.
December 30, 2025
The Pope of Atlantis isn’t a loud fantasy book. This book is all about why civilizations rise and fall
The way language gets described as something once shared, almost sacred and made the whole idea of human connection feel fragile. When Cain speaks his lost language and the birds respond, it honestly felt haunting. Like humanity used to be closer to God and nature, and we slowly lost that without even noticing.
Overall, this is a thinking person’s fantasy. Slow, reflective, and kind of heavy, but in a good way. It quietly reminds you that the biggest threat to any society isn’t enemies or disasters
it’s losing purpose and meaning...........
The way language gets described as something once shared, almost sacred and made the whole idea of human connection feel fragile. When Cain speaks his lost language and the birds respond, it honestly felt haunting. Like humanity used to be closer to God and nature, and we slowly lost that without even noticing.
Overall, this is a thinking person’s fantasy. Slow, reflective, and kind of heavy, but in a good way. It quietly reminds you that the biggest threat to any society isn’t enemies or disasters
it’s losing purpose and meaning...........
January 10, 2026
The mysterious "Pope of Atlantis" is revealed to be Cain, the world's first murderer, cursed by God with a shield of immortality that prevents him from being killed by any man or beast. The novel uses the global cataclysm as a backdrop to explore profound themes of human depravity and divine judgment, forcing the skeptical Baron Mike to confront a literal truth of scripture. Cain's unbelievable survival of a whale attack and a shared prophetic dream of a dragon serve as undeniable proof that a final, imminent divine event is approaching. You should read this book for its unique blend of post-apocalyptic fiction and intense philosophical debate.
January 15, 2026
I received this book from Booktaster in exchange for an honest review, and I can confidently say it is the best book they have sent me so far. The plot is incredibly original and thought provoking, and the writing style is easy to follow while being humorous, intriguing, and intellectually engaging at the same time.
What I especially appreciated is how the book explores different religious beliefs in a respectful and thoughtful manner. The ending is beautiful and poetic, and it left a lasting impression on me. I never imagined Cain could be portrayed in such a profound and human way.
This book easily gets 5 stars from me and is absolutely one that deserves rereading.
What I especially appreciated is how the book explores different religious beliefs in a respectful and thoughtful manner. The ending is beautiful and poetic, and it left a lasting impression on me. I never imagined Cain could be portrayed in such a profound and human way.
This book easily gets 5 stars from me and is absolutely one that deserves rereading.
January 11, 2026
I finished it feeling heavy—not because the plot is brutal, but because as I read, the story kept quietly asking how much it really matters to keep living in a world that has already fallen apart.
I liked that the novel doesn’t comfort the reader, doesn’t neatly tie things up, and doesn’t hand out clear answers. Instead, it leaves you to sit with the ending and decide for yourself what comes next.
This book suits readers who want something quiet, reflective, and willing to question life—and themselves.
I liked that the novel doesn’t comfort the reader, doesn’t neatly tie things up, and doesn’t hand out clear answers. Instead, it leaves you to sit with the ending and decide for yourself what comes next.
This book suits readers who want something quiet, reflective, and willing to question life—and themselves.
December 30, 2025
this standalone novel. this uses the Atlantis myth as a key in story to tell the broader scale. which deals with existential crisis.
we can say this is post apocalyptic novel. but it deals with more. after apocalypse a nameless wanderer journey through the lands and he encounters the survivors . their life. their existence . this journey is more philosophical. faith is the main positive thing here.
liked this novel.
we can say this is post apocalyptic novel. but it deals with more. after apocalypse a nameless wanderer journey through the lands and he encounters the survivors . their life. their existence . this journey is more philosophical. faith is the main positive thing here.
liked this novel.
June 19, 2025
I am working with this author to have a discussion on this book on my blog...Watch for more info...
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews