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Initiation
Excerpt from Initiation
But, of course, Sir Nevill, he had added, with scarcely a trace of an Italian accent, you will find no difficulty in any case.
But the rest of the company he did not like so much. It was not that it was different from any other parallel company elsewhere; people screamed and gossiped and smelt of furs and eau-de-cologne, there were meek and trim young men with shining hair, there were tire some old men who bellowed, there were shy girls - fully as much in London as in Rome. Only he had not expected it in Rome, somehow. He had had a faint idea that things would be primitive and quiet here, that he could moon about and look at Basilicas now and then, that he could poke round in curiosity-shops - ia a word, that he could be free here, 'as he could not in London. And he had found the same old parrot-house.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
But, of course, Sir Nevill, he had added, with scarcely a trace of an Italian accent, you will find no difficulty in any case.
But the rest of the company he did not like so much. It was not that it was different from any other parallel company elsewhere; people screamed and gossiped and smelt of furs and eau-de-cologne, there were meek and trim young men with shining hair, there were tire some old men who bellowed, there were shy girls - fully as much in London as in Rome. Only he had not expected it in Rome, somehow. He had had a faint idea that things would be primitive and quiet here, that he could moon about and look at Basilicas now and then, that he could poke round in curiosity-shops - ia a word, that he could be free here, 'as he could not in London. And he had found the same old parrot-house.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
- GenresCatholic
450 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1914
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 9, 2021
the journey of the main character is extremely relevant to my life and I love the author’s insight into human nature
February 10, 2025
There are times when you think you know an author's style and subject very well indeed, and he turns and snarls at you.
‘Initiation’ by Robert Hugh Benson, published in 1914, is one such novel. It is completely different from either Msgr Benson’s historical novels, or his dystopian ones, or even the mystical ones like ‘The Necromancers.’ However, while there is, on the whole, a complete absence of dogma or open antiProtestantism, it is partisan to the extent that it explores the very Catholic value of redemption through shock, pain, suffering and sacrifice.
Other Catholic themes that run lightly through the novel are that of the Pietà, the symbolic and real meaning of the Holy Grail, attendance at Mass and so on, but they are really in a minor chord.
The framework story is interesting in itself, and very revealing both of character and personality. A rather shy, unassuming young man gets engaged to an ambitious, opinionated and rather brutal young lady. When the lady later breaks off the engagement, the suspense begins. If some of the characters seem to be stock cutouts, the principals certainly show themselves strong, with qualities that are either attractive or unsympathetic. Even long deceased persons have personalities that act powerfully on the living souls of the book.
Whether one likes Benson's general themes or not, his style and language is always powerfully vigorous and spirited. There is never a moment when the story seems to have lost its way, or the language languish into hyperbole or flowery description. ‘Initiation’ is no exception.
‘Initiation’ by Robert Hugh Benson, published in 1914, is one such novel. It is completely different from either Msgr Benson’s historical novels, or his dystopian ones, or even the mystical ones like ‘The Necromancers.’ However, while there is, on the whole, a complete absence of dogma or open antiProtestantism, it is partisan to the extent that it explores the very Catholic value of redemption through shock, pain, suffering and sacrifice.
Other Catholic themes that run lightly through the novel are that of the Pietà, the symbolic and real meaning of the Holy Grail, attendance at Mass and so on, but they are really in a minor chord.
The framework story is interesting in itself, and very revealing both of character and personality. A rather shy, unassuming young man gets engaged to an ambitious, opinionated and rather brutal young lady. When the lady later breaks off the engagement, the suspense begins. If some of the characters seem to be stock cutouts, the principals certainly show themselves strong, with qualities that are either attractive or unsympathetic. Even long deceased persons have personalities that act powerfully on the living souls of the book.
Whether one likes Benson's general themes or not, his style and language is always powerfully vigorous and spirited. There is never a moment when the story seems to have lost its way, or the language languish into hyperbole or flowery description. ‘Initiation’ is no exception.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews