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The Devils of Loudun

by Aldous Huxley

3.84 · rating details · 399 ratings · 49 reviews

Aldous Huxley's acclaimed and gripping account of one of the strangest occurrences in history

In 1643 an entire convent in the small French village of Loudun was apparently possessed by the devil. After a sensational and celebrated trial, the convent's charismatic priest Urban Grandier--accused of spiritually and sexually seducing the nuns in his charge--was convicted of

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Paperback, 340 pages

Published by Harper Perennial (first published 1952)

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Feb 27, 2011

Susan rated it

· review of another edition

I first read this book in high school and it made a great impression on me. Huxley’s account of the Church’s investigation into demonic possession in a seventeenth century French town is a disturbing example of institutional abuse, sexual repression, and political ambition. I’ve never found such a riveting account surrounding the torture and execution of the priest Urbain Grandier. (Admittedly, I haven’t looked very hard.) At the time I first read this work I was also researching a paper on chur...moreI first read this book in high school and it made a great impression on me. Huxley’s account of the Church’s investigation into demonic possession in a seventeenth century French town is a disturbing example of institutional abuse, sexual repression, and political ambition. I’ve never found such a riveting account surrounding the torture and execution of the priest Urbain Grandier. (Admittedly, I haven’t looked very hard.) At the time I first read this work I was also researching a paper on church doctrine, and had just read an English translation of the Malleus Maleficarum. That school term was a bit depressing, what with all the reminders of how incredibly shitty people can be in the interest of doing the right and proper thing. I recently came across the Devils of Loudun again and decided to reread it. This was a good move. Huxley is adept in describing the complex web of events that led up to Grandier’s arrest and trial, and his detailed description of the poor man’s execution would make anyone beg off extra crispy fried anything for a few months. As one would expect from a talent as chubby as Huxley’s, the author resists applying modern sensibilities to historical characters. He carefully, almost relentlessly, exposes the self-serving motives of the people involved without resorting to the complacently of hindsight. Although not a work of fiction, his narrative style helps the reader feel that they are witnessing the events and, my god, this is not a happy experience. As a mature reader I more fully appreciate the behavior of the Ursuline nuns, who Grandier was supposed to have corrupted. The damaging and most hysterical testimony of the Mother Superior, in particular, was born of the severe sexual, political, and societal constraints placed on women at the time. Grandier, an arrogant bon vivant, was at most guilty of being incredibly foolish by alienating the great and powerful Richelieu. Laubardemont, who was of the same family as the Mother Superior, abdicated personal responsibility in the course of his actions with the same ruthless efficiency as a Nazi prison guard. The community in which the trail and execution took place provides an example of group think and mass hysteria, reminding me how little we have changed in the last three hundred years. It would be a mistake to consider this story as only an example of popery at its worst, because then you’d miss the larger message. It’s about us, and how we fool ourselves into thinking that an atrocity is okay as long as we have a bright and shiny scaffold of excuses to justify our behavior. Yet rereading the text somehow did not depress me this time. Perhaps my coping mechanisms have matured along with the rest of me, or it could be that I knew what to expect. This story was made into a Ken Russell film in the seventies called, The Devils. I find the film kinda meh, except for the intelligent performance of Vanessa Redgrave as the Mother Superior. I have mentioned the Devils of Loudun throughout the years and find that most people know nothing of it. For the life of me I cannot fathom why more people have not read this book. It is one of Huxley’s finest.(less)

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May 28, 2011

Erik Graff rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Erik by: no one

Shelves: history

Huxley's, The Devils of Loudun, reading as easily as a well-written novel, purports to be the true story of a seventeenth century case of witchcraft in France. At one level it is the biography of Urbain Grandier, the Catholic priest so condemned. On another, it is an examination of mass psycho-sexual psychosis as represented in such cases--and of the religious bases for the underlying repression. On yet another, it is a mystery, exploring the possible motives of the main players in the drama ...more

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Jan 01, 2011

Jeffrey Taylor rated it

· review of another edition

This book requires much of the reader and makes no concession to popularity. It speaks to a reader devoted to truth and careful analysis who holds the author and the reader to superlative standards. I can't begin to claim to fully measure up to that standard but the reader for whom this book was written would scoff a criticism of the language or presentation as too demanding. The abundance of data, however obscure, would be expected not criticised.

Huxley made a deep survey ...more

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Feb 01, 2011

Sam Ruddick rated it

This is probably one of the most interesting and important books I've ever read.

Let me say first that (in spite of the tag-line) it actually has almost nothing to do with devils, or "demon possession" as such. I suspect it was billed as "A True Story of Demon Possession" in order to boost sales. It's lamentable for several reasons. One is simply that it misrepresents the book. I mean, if you're looking for something that deals with actual demon possession, or a p...moreThis is probably one of the most interesting and important books I've ever read.

Let me say first that (in spite of the tag-line) it actually has almost nothing to do with devils, or "demon possession" as such. I suspect it was billed as "A True Story of Demon Possession" in order to boost sales. It's lamentable for several reasons. One is simply that it misrepresents the book. I mean, if you're looking for something that deals with actual demon possession, or a piece of lurid fiction dealing with similar subject matter, this book probably isn't what you're looking for. And, if you're NOT interested in demon possession, the tag-line will keep you from reading the book. But I think the worst thing about it is that sales need to be boosted to begin with. This is a book that should be read. I mean, it's too bad more people haven't read or even heard of it.

It deals with actual events, that's true. It also deals with an alleged case of demon possession: that is also true. But it's not what it sounds like. A certain corrupt priest (Urbain Grandier) offended some people in high places, and ultimately he was accused of witchcraft and blamed for the "possession" of a convent full of Ursuline nuns. The possession was more likely hysteria. The sorcery charge was bunk, and most of the people involved understood this to be the case. So, on the face of it, the book is about the disastrous mix of Church and State in early 17th Century France. But that's not really what it's about, either. I mean, to bill it as a history book or a book about politics would be equally misguided.

Huxley uses this particular episode from history as an entry into a larger discussion about spiritual life. What is spirituality? What motivates it? He calls it self-transendence, and offers an in-depth discussion of some of the principles that are common to most religions. Not the simple stuff: I mean, it's not like he's just saying "most religions say that murder is wrong." He's talking about the need for an awareness of God, for the "Divine Ground" that unites everything, and the way that faith and works play into our attempts to connect to that awareness.

He discounts nothing. It's interesting, because at times he makes ironic or even sarcastic comments, and that's normally the refuge of a weaker writer, a writer who sneers at the world, dismisses the very idea of demon possession (or even plain old spirituality) as quaint fantasy. Huxley isn't dismissive. He cites well documented psychic phenomena (ESP, for example) as evidence of a world beyond the strictly physical world as we understand it. If it's possible that the human mind can tap into another mind, then those minds must share something on some non-physical level. One can not, therefore, rule out the possibility that a will (or an intellect) can exist on a non-physical level. There is no reason to believe that all such wills (that all "entities" existing outside the physical world as we know it) are well meaning and nice. Whether or not they're "demons" proper is sort of beside the point.

In case you're thinking this is all sort of dark, I should mention that he spends a lot of time emphasizing the positive (what he calls Original Virtue, rather than Original Sin). Original Sin he defines in terms of the human capacity for evil, Original Virtue, our capacity for good.

In case you're thinking this is all sort of flaky, I should mention that he also devotes considerable attention to psychology and psychiatry, as well. It's not as though he buys the idea of a spritual world without first exploring the possibility that some spiritual experiences are actually manifestations of mental disorders.

He also devotes considerable attention to matters of law, doctrine, et cetera.

At any rate, I'm not doing the book justice. There was no point at which I felt as though I was in the midst of a load of spooky b.s. It's never less than well researched and well reasoned. And it's sort of about everything. Politics, religion, spirituality, psychology, philosophy, history, society, art, justice, responsibility, sexuality, nature: everything. And it's all framed by this fascinating story about this priest and this convent and the political and personal intrigues that came together surrounding them.

The Devils of Loudun was first published in 1952, I think, and when I finished reading it, I thought about all the stuff I read in school, the critical theory that's come out of the academic community and the religious and political discourse that's come out since 1952, and I just felt like something had gone terribly wrong. That all that discourse is so pinheaded and narrow-minded. That there was this flash of intelligent thinking about the world in this book, and that somehow it's been neglected, that the conversation went in some other direction, and we've been in darkness ever since.

Maybe I just haven't read enough.

Probably I haven't read enough. But I've read a lot, and I've never run into anything quite like this before. It's brilliant. I cannot recommend it more highly. (less)

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Dec 02, 2009

Tim Weakley rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 50-book-challenge-2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The simple way to explain the premise of this book is to call it a history/commentary on a series of possessions, and accusations of witchcraft in France in the 1630's. It begins to get muddied when we consider this question: Who are the devils in the book title?

Are they the supposed demons possessing the nuns in Loudun? Are they the sisters themselves, who in their antics and accusations condemn an innocent man. Are the devils, after everything is said and done, the high and mighty ...more

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Feb 17, 2009

Pete rated it

· review of another edition

Got interested in reading this book after seeing Ken Russell's "The Devils" the other month. Fascinating account of the political machinations of the church at the time of Richlieu and how witch hunts and possessions could be used as tools to get rid of those that stood in the way of power grabs, how celibacy in religious callings led to neurosis, delusion and ultimately a failure to reach transcendence, how exorcism was seen as a public spectacle and how the egos of the "possesse...more

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Jan 07, 2012

Carole Gill rated it

· review of another edition

I've just finished this fantastic book. Actually it is part of the research I assign myself for my writing. In this case it is a pleasurable task.

This goes way beyond the hysteria of the nuns so if one is thinking this book is going to solely focus on that outrageous situation--perhaps you best read another book.

This is a serious document. This is no novel with a 'storyline', but an examination of how people can become irrevocably controlled, controlled so that they no lo...more

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Jul 14, 2009

Jake rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: religion

The Devils of Loudon is one of those books where I was reading something else, the author referenced Aldous Huxley’s work, and then I had to read it as well. In a nutshell, The Devils of Loudon is part of a larger body of literature that demonstrates the powerful link between our sexuality and religious behavior. Aldous’s work covers ground similar to The Crucible, though it explores a different religious scandal.

I can’t speak to the historical accuracy of this book, but as a study ...more

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Dec 18, 2010

aya rated it

· review of another edition

I read Brave New World in high school, and didn't like it. I thought it was just because i'm not really into sci fi. But maybe i just don't really like Aldous Huxley. I really WANT to like him - his interests are so interesting to me, that it feels like i should really enjoy him. But i don't. At least so far.
Devils of Loudun is so slow and i found his lengthy asides on theology, etc. clunky, unnecessary, and kind of boring. I did appreciate the intense thought and research that went into t...more

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Mar 29, 2011

Laurabean rated it

· review of another edition

Certainly not the easiest of books to read, but beautifully written and an astonishing story so well worth persevering with.

To read Huxley's non-fiction gives an even better insight into his talent as an author, and the quality of his writing as passages in this text are as delightful to read as poetry.

He also approaches a very difficult subject with enormous sympathy, showing a balanced view of all elements of the drama and conjuring a unique portrait of life at this tim...more

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May 09, 2011

Tim rated it

· review of another edition

"In the minutes of an exorcism of 20th May 1634, written entirely in Laubardemont's hand, we read the following - Question: 'What do you say about the great Cardinal, the protector of France?' The devil answered, swearing by the name of God, 'He is the scourge of all my good friends.' Question: 'Who are your good friends?' Answer: 'The heretics.' Question: 'What are the other heroic aspects of his person?' Answer: 'His work for the relief of the people, the gift of government, which he has ...more

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Jun 12, 2011

Xarah rated it

Shelves: own, non-fiction

Huxley provides a very interesting summary and explanation of the 1643 events surrounding nuns possessed by the devil and the priest who was wrongly accused and burned at the stake for instigating the mayhem. However, Huxley went beyond that, attempting to provide explanations of why these events happened in the first place (crowd-delirium/herd-intoxication), as well as, delving into spirituality and religious practices (transcendence and the willingness to condemn oneself). Huxley does not over...more

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Jun 11, 2011

Scott Ferry rated it

· review of another edition

* possible spoilers *

The Devils of Loudun has little to do with the film by Russell. In fact Russell's film really should have been said to be based on the true story of Loudun and his characterization of that. Huxley on the other hand goes deep into 17th century mind set, philosophy, and politics around the setting and story. His point is at the end of the book, which in the end i agree with some of it but not all.
Definitely there are some dry but subtly interesting parts to get...more

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Dec 02, 2010

Stephen Bird rated it

It was relatively easy to immerse myself in this (a French version of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible")-- the story of Urbain Grandier and the various personalities of Loudun. Huxley also provides a psychological / religious analysis of the historical events surrounding / related to the witchcraft, possessions and exorcisms occurring in 17th century Loudun, France. I'd never heard of this book until I saw an Off Off Broadway production based on this story at the Brick Theatre, Williamsbu...moreIt was relatively easy to immerse myself in this (a French version of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible")-- the story of Urbain Grandier and the various personalities of Loudun. Huxley also provides a psychological / religious analysis of the historical events surrounding / related to the witchcraft, possessions and exorcisms occurring in 17th century Loudun, France. I'd never heard of this book until I saw an Off Off Broadway production based on this story at the Brick Theatre, Williamsburg, Brooklyn in August 2010 (directed by Ian Hill). That production focused on Grandier, his scandalous affairs and his eventually being burned at the stake for witchcraft. Sister Jeanne's possession is also a part of "The Devils of Loudun", and her tale continues on beyond Grandier's execution. Jeanne ultimately becomes a saint and is carted around France as a kind of religiously-sanctioned side/freak show (in much the same way crowds of people came to witness and be entertained by her possession by supposed devils in Loudun).

Another major player in this work is Father Surin, who appears after Grandier's death as Sister Jeanne's "exorcisor" -- Huxley also gives the reader background on Surin, before Surin is actually introduced to the plot. The incredibly pious Surin crosses over to the dark side and eventually achieves "purification" -- his self-inflicted torture leads to his redemption. Surin becomes emotionally catatonic for 18 years as a result of his involvement in the exorcism of Sister Jeanne, but recovers and goes on to author at least two books. Surin's soul-searching is so thorough that he practically "negates his soul" before he digs himself out of the hole and moves towards the light.

My only major criticism of this book is Chapter Three; it was difficult to stay with, as it involved the deconstruction of various aspects of faith and religion -- in this chapter, Huxley gives the reader background, from both modern and 17th century perspectives, into the themes discussed in this work. The drawback being that Chapter Three distracts from the momentum and through line of the entire story. Conversely -- the epilogue -- a continuation of Chapter Three -- effectively summarizes Huxley's concepts / subtext related to this novel -- via a comparison of the psychology / attitudes of contemporary man to that of the 17th century European. French and Latin asides and notes are sprinkled liberally through out the text, which I found to be enjoyable from a linguistic perspective. (less)

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May 16, 2011

Ulysses rated it

A tasty combination of history, theology, and psychology, rolled up in a greasy tortilla of religious hysteria and garnished with Huxley's twin trademarks of (1) haughty contempt for the stupidity and gullibility of the unwashed masses and (2) sexsexsex. Conceivably a reader could be pretty scandalized/mortified by the content of this book... but really, who these days thinks that people didn't treat each other like total shite in the 17th century, that organized religion hasn't historically be...more

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Aug 22, 2010

Jesse Winslow rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

This book reads at times like a novel although it is a historical expose about one of the most bizarre and shocking events in the 17th century. Interspersed between the details of the lives of confused priest Urbain Grandine and the hysterical Ursuline nuns of the town of Loudun are bits of information on life in the early 17th century and Huxley's take on human nature. Well worth reading if a bit dry at times. Also watch the movie, it solidifies the story and is a major mind trip.

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Jul 07, 2010

Christopher Rex rated it

· review of another edition

Huxley was so ahead of his time, it is astounding. This work of non-fiction clearly demonstrates the vast array of his talents - historian, storyteller, philosopher, social critic, researcher. Huxley tells the tale of a 17thC witch hunt with grace and ease in a highly readable fashion. But, beyond that, his social commentaries are cleverly blended so as to add a philosophical element which is highly enjoyable. The book starts to drag after page 250 until the Epilogue. But, it is well worth...more

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Jan 31, 2011

Stephen rated it

· review of another edition

This book was extremely hard for me to finish but I loved it. It was filled with philosophical and metaphysical ideas as well as an extremely interesting story. I seriously had to stop and look up words every other page, but that's why you read right? If you don't mind being slightly confused and having to do a little bit of homework then you will not mind this book, just stay with it and it will be extremely rewarding!

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Nov 26, 2009

Ruth C rated it

· review of another edition

The book seems like it has no plot at all and then you realize how fucked up it is. I'm not sure I understood it the first time I read it, with absolutely no context. I didn't even realize it was nonfiction until I wikipediaed it a moment ago. If you ever wanted to know what witch trials in the mad Cardinal Richelieu's France were like.

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Jul 06, 2009

Matt is currently reading it · review of another edition

This book is wonderfully descriptive and Huxley has a good grip on language, but the plot is rambling, going of on unimportant tangents. There is very little dialogue and I find his constant use of French phrases (without translation)kind of annoying. Still it's an interesting read and there are some hidden gems inside.

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Feb 15, 2009

Elizabeth rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-long-ago

When real life is as fantastic as any novel, when the workings of the unconscious mind can be seen a plainly as a map of the state you live in, you must be reading the historical documentary giving the details of the mandane doings of the government, church and everyday evil doings of families in the Devils of Loudun.

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May 12, 2011

Scott rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: French history buffs, books made into films , books made into operas

Huxley's non-fiction was an early enthusiam. I own and have read Huxley's Grey Eminence, also on French history.It is as fascinating and well written.Saw Russell's film,The Devils,before I read the book. An opera,a play by John Whiting have been made from Huxley's book. There is a pre-existing book by A. Dumas, which I will seek out.

Penderecki's opera based on Huxley's book. Background on composer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devils_...(opera).

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Sep 28, 2010

Nerine Dorman rated it

· review of another edition

Initially I struggled to get into this book but after the first dozen pages I found it impossible to stop reading. Granted, the writing is quite dense and it's not at first clear in which direction Huxley is headed but I experienced numerous "a-ha" moments as the book progressed. More than just a history book, this is a study with modern hindsight, into the human behaviour of the 1600s. I cannot underscore enough how important this book is. It really brings that time to life. It does c...more

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Dec 15, 2010

Michele is currently reading it

This is very dense. I am enjoying it, but must admit that I got bogged down with too many other reads. I hope to get back and finish this.

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Mar 20, 2009

Camden Drash rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2009

Not really into religion or history, so I don't know why I read this book. It was ok until they get off the storyline in my opinion.

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Jan 22, 2009

Sparky rated it

· review of another edition

Another good place not to have been at the time. Richlieu might not have been the best power broker not to piss off.

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Jan 21, 2009

Pamela rated it

· review of another edition

Interesting look at mass hysteria, reminds me of the way people react to the news these days.

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Feb 04, 2011

Motyl is currently reading it · review of another edition

Musze jej dac dodatkowych 100 dodatkowych stron. sporo dywagacji filozoficzno-teologicznych.

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Jul 04, 2010

Andrzej Gutowski rated it

· review of another edition

As deep as well written. Fantastic study of XVII-th century France, and human nature as a whole.

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May 14, 2010

Kei rated it

· review of another edition

a great work on historical incidents that took place in a rural town of France in the seventeenth century. although the author's eloquence and fluency in both French and in his mother tongue inevitably bring readers certain difficulties, overall it's an enjoyable book to read through. Hopefully, if only Huxley could stick to focus on the main issues, rather than attempting to analyse historical facts from several points of view including his psychological views, which is obviously already old fa...more

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About Aldous Huxley

Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. He spent the latter part of his life in the United States, living in Los Angeles from 1937 until his death in 1963. Best known for his novels and wide-ranging output of essays, he also published short stories, poetry, travel writing, and film stories and scripts. Through his novels and es...more

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Quotes from The Devils of Loudun

“The world' is man's experience as it appears to, and is moulded by, his ego. It is that less abundant life, which is lived according to the dictates of the insulated self. It is nature denatured by the distorting spectacles of our appetites and revulsions. It is the finite divorced from the Eternal. It is multiplicity in isolation from its non-dual Ground. It is time apprehended as one damned thing after another. It is a system of verbal categories taking the place of the fathomlessly beautiful and mysterious particulars which constitute reality. It is a notion labelled 'God'. It is the Universe equated with the words of our utilitarian vocabulary.” — 5 people liked it

“Sex can be used either for self-affirmation or for self-transcendence — either to intensify the ego and consolidate the social persona by some kind of conspicuous ‘embarkation’ and heroic conquest, or else to annihilate the persona and transcend the ego in an obscure rapture of sensuality, a frenzy of romantic passion, more creditably, in the mutual charity of the perfect marriage.” — 2 people liked it

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