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The Pelagius Book
As the Roman Empire starts to collapse from within, one man seems to understand what is happening. He is Pelagius, a charismatic philosopher from the province of Britain, now living in the imperial capital. In this evocative tale which echoes down to the present day, Pelagius must race against time to establish a new way of thinking before Rome is overrun by the Barbarians . . . Paul Morgan's dazzling novel draws on the dramatic true story of Pelagius, as told by his former secretary, Celestius, now an old man living in exile. As Celestius recounts their adventures together, and the vivid sights and sounds of a civilisation under siege, he uncovers at last the secret of Pelagius' 'book', concealed in the most mysterious language of all. With vivid characterisation, brilliant description and understated wit, The Pelagius Book is a novel of friendship and betrayal, of power and intrigue – of ideas, and hope.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Paul Morgan
3 books17 followersPaul Morgan is a writer, reviewer, and novelist based in Melbourne.
Born in London, he has lived in Australia for over twenty years.
Born in London, he has lived in Australia for over twenty years.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 21, 2018
This book broke my heart but in a way that made me happy.
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A must read for everyone, it's a quick read (took me an hour and a half to read)
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A must read for everyone, it's a quick read (took me an hour and a half to read)
January 23, 2014
Paul Morgan's novel draws on the dramatic true story of Pelagius, an early proponent of free will. From the first two paragraphs I was hooked! Who wouldn't be with these words:
"The name of the bow is life: its work is death. Between the two lies memory for as long as it lasts. But with these lines, by the grace of God, perhaps I shall not altogether die. If those words are being read, then the arrow flies still.
I remember lying in a meadow as a child, gazing up at a cloud as it changed shape: into a cat, a seahorse, an enormous letter A, and then a pyramid of honeyed cakes, which made me feel hungry and sent me hurrying home to the villa, the new-mown stubble crunching beneath my sandals."
And then Celestius, our narrator, begins to recall his master Pelagius and we are off to late 4th century AD Rome.
Paul Morgan seamlessly and elegantly recreates the enigmatic Pelagius and his world. I was immersed in the times, the people (especially the slave girl Nila) and the landscape. With Morgan's faultless use of language I never questioned his evocation of the times, I'm just sorry the trip was so brief! I would love to go back there again and meet another inhabitant of ancient Rome!
"The name of the bow is life: its work is death. Between the two lies memory for as long as it lasts. But with these lines, by the grace of God, perhaps I shall not altogether die. If those words are being read, then the arrow flies still.
I remember lying in a meadow as a child, gazing up at a cloud as it changed shape: into a cat, a seahorse, an enormous letter A, and then a pyramid of honeyed cakes, which made me feel hungry and sent me hurrying home to the villa, the new-mown stubble crunching beneath my sandals."
And then Celestius, our narrator, begins to recall his master Pelagius and we are off to late 4th century AD Rome.
Paul Morgan seamlessly and elegantly recreates the enigmatic Pelagius and his world. I was immersed in the times, the people (especially the slave girl Nila) and the landscape. With Morgan's faultless use of language I never questioned his evocation of the times, I'm just sorry the trip was so brief! I would love to go back there again and meet another inhabitant of ancient Rome!
January 14, 2017
A short novel set in the Roman Empire in the fifth century as the barbarians threaten Rome. Pelagius is a theologian who contests Augustine's harsh dogma of original sin with a more gracious Christian theology. If you enjoy historical fiction and history of ideas / theological disputes, you will probably enjoy this as I did
May 26, 2019
Beautifully written, but doesn't really go anywhere or say anything. Well, actually it does go to many places - Alexandria, Rome, and York, but the narrative journey itself is picaresque rather than defined. Readers are, I assume, to gather impressions about Pelagius and his thought in the process. The thing is, exactly what those impressions might be are rather vague. Pelagius wants Christians to think and question for themselves, not accept dogma (especially that of Original Sin). Eventually, he is declared a heretic as a result. This is what kept me reading - I knew that Pelagius was headed for theological controversy. But until its brief mention at the end, no opposition to Pelagius's teaching was mentioned. Nor was any link evident between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the a rejection of Pelagian thought. Pelagius wants us to think? Sure, but about what? I'm not sure this book prompted me to think about much at all.
March 28, 2019
Charming. Having just read "A Darkening Age", this complemented that very well.
February 10, 2020
What a lovely little book.
How much better the world would be with Pelagian, rather than Ausgustine, Christianity.
How much better the world would be with Pelagian, rather than Ausgustine, Christianity.
August 14, 2014
Beautifully written.
November 7, 2014
Philosophical 50 cent book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews