PThis Faustian tale of the spiritual disintegration of a young minister, written in the 1890s, deals subtly and powerfully with the impact of scien...
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Aug 31, 2010
Tony
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Frederic, Harold. THE DAMNATION OF THERON WARE. (1896). ****. I first read this novel back in 1959 for a course called “The Advent of Realism in the American Novel.” The course required reading twenty books during three months – most of them, including this one, I had never heard of before. Back then, I already knew everything and this novel, after reading it, seemed a great bore. Reading it now, I am amazed at what a landmark piece it was in America’s literary development. I don’t know
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Nov 15, 2011
Marvin
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If more older books were as engaging as this hundred-year-old book, I'd read more of them. This was recommended to me quite a while back by my friend George Minot, and it was a good recommendation. A young Methodist minister, hoping for an appointment to a fashionable urban church, is appointed instead to a small, backward-looking, congregation in a small town. Ironically, it is there that, in spite of his ingrained anti-Catholicism and suspicion of modernism, he befriends the local Catholic pri
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Apr 11, 2011
Will
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Assigned for a class, this book had all the makings of being a real bore. It’s a 19th century book on a Methodist minister, written by an author I had never heard lauded, with Victorian language (flowery!). I was looking forward to reading something less dry than what I had been reading for class but given the other books assigned, this was not difficult.
Boy, I was surprised by this book. It’s ability to go into new depths regarding the troubles facing pastors in the 19th century and More...
Boy, I was surprised by this book. It’s ability to go into new depths regarding the troubles facing pastors in the 19th century and More...
Dec 06, 2011
Martin
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My son made me read this. He got pretty excited about it because of a college class that focussed on literary realism. Personally, he saw in himself similarities to the hypocrisy of Theron Ware. Oh, Philip, you're not even close. Ware was an interesting character insofar as he was completely unaware of his hipocracy. You're far too honestly introspective to be anything like him.
This is a brand of realism that I have no enthusiasm for. It's part of that tradition which examines the sp More...
This is a brand of realism that I have no enthusiasm for. It's part of that tradition which examines the sp More...
Dec 01, 2011
Haylee
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I can't decide if I totally hated this book or if I didn't really like it, but it was still well-written and interesting. I certainly didn't like it at all, but I can't say it was horrible or poorly done. I suppose I don't like a lot of realism, and that is what this book is. All I got from it was basically: conservative, blinding religion screws people up and they go crazy when they taste the outside world. I read it in a literature class, and most of the other students really liked it, so I gu
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Aug 01, 2008
Dustin
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A naive Methodist minister encounters a learned doctor and an old Catholic priest who suggest to him ideas altogether new to his intellect. He is taken by these new thoughts and reads many progressive books and quickly transforms from the audience to "backstage," where "you see that the trees and houses are cloth, and the moon is tissue paper, and the flying fairy is a middle-aged woman strung up on a rope. That doesn't prove the play, out in front, isn't beautiful and affecting,
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Apr 21, 2010
Suzanne
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A fascinating look at religious sensibilities in 19th century America, from Protestant to Catholic. The standard review calls it the Faustian tale of a (Protestant) preacher's demise, but it is really an insightful look into religious beliefs and the degrees--or sincerity--thereof, or perhaps the absence thereof. The most memorable statement is the heroine's assertion that she is Catholic insofar as the culture appeals to her.
Jul 28, 2011
Kristen
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Every time I read this book, it grows new layers. The first time I was disgusted with Theron and his idiocy. The next time I felt empathy for his hardships within the church and community. The next time I read it as a commentary on female influence in the religious and secular community. This time I was entertained by the theory that German beer saved the Catholic Church in America. Read it over and over again.
Dec 09, 2011
John
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The story of a 19th century Methodist minister's encounter with the realities of the 19th century, socially and intellectually. Stands in as a representative of the culture of the time. At the end does he find damnation or illumination, maturity or false advancement? What is on the other side of this epochal shift, and where will we go from there?
Sep 30, 2011
Adrienne
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Wow, I've been reading a lot of books with dislikable characters lately!!! This is one of them. I really loved how it all unfolded though, excellent writing and demonstration of how a different point of view vastly changes our perception of reality.
Aug 18, 2009
Seana
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I was quite fascinated by this book when I read it, ages and ages ago. I remember little of its detail, but just the sense of being drawn along a path with the character. Not sure it would all strike me the same way now.
Jul 08, 2011
Rachelfm
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My journey to this book was a long and dogged one. My friend Mary first suggested it several years ago, and our local library didn't carry it. The rest of my reading list intervened, and when I put out an all-call for reading suggestions, she nudged me again. I made a purchase request to the Seattle Public Library, and they eventually saw fit to acquire four copies for the system, and probably got the first read in the city.
No classic work of American fiction has ever before made me More...
No classic work of American fiction has ever before made me More...
Jul 06, 2008
Cher
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The only thing interesting to me about this book was its repeated concept of degenerateness, spiritual and physical. The sins of the father becoming encoded genetically and spiritually upon the son, until ultimately a line would die out from utter decrepitude.
The plot is relatively simple. A young preacher is posted to a town. He means well but is vain and shallow and doesn't understand the larger social politics at work. Hence, certain doom for the naive idiot. His main detractor is More...
The plot is relatively simple. A young preacher is posted to a town. He means well but is vain and shallow and doesn't understand the larger social politics at work. Hence, certain doom for the naive idiot. His main detractor is More...
May 16, 2010
Bonnie
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Frederic's surprisingly contemporary story of a young clergyman who loses his way would be much better known if Frederic had written other books. Highly recommended!
Sep 29, 2009
John
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I found most of the book to be tiresome and slow. Yet, I really enjoyed Alice's character and the well-written ending almost won me over, but it's not enough.
Nov 30, 2010
Ashlie
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Several years ago I listened to a lecture series on Religion in America. This book was one of the three that they recommended at the end of the series. It presents a window onto what religion was like in the late 19th century; it is also a good story. It chronicles the slow descent of the Reverend Theron Ware into disbelief, and I think it gave a pretty accurate portrayal of self-deception and pride, as seen from the inside out. The book dragged quite a bit in the middle, but it picked up toward
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Oct 26, 2010
Guy
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After reading this book I had more questions than answers about the rewards of piety, and the consequences of pragmatism. The protagonist is easy to identify with in his hopes and ambitions as well as his vulnerability to pride and temptation. Those issues are timeless, as is Frederic's prose. I recommend this especially to those with an opportunity to discuss the book with others - either a book club, or to read it with a friend. "The Damnation of Theron Ware" would lend itself to sat
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Apr 07, 2007
William
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I first read this back in college for an assignment in obscure American realism writers and fell for it instantly. I've managed to track it down (Frederic isn't as readily in print as many of his contemporaries) and have read it a time or so since with equal enjoyment. Perfect for those who question the ideals and regimen of orthodox ethics, it gives a very human view of a good man's downfall when his life falls short of his expectations.
Mar 13, 2011
Cat
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This book, despite its horrible antihero, is very well written. I got sucked into it, manly out of hatred for Theron and his despicable and ignorant selfishness, but I rushed right through wanting to know what would happen. With themes of finding your self and living to don't be a bore, this novel shines light into the annoyance of wavering and passive people. Ugh Theron, you really stink! But a great book!
Jun 02, 2009
Mandy
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I read this book for a Humanities class and if I hadn't I don't think i would have appreciated as much. Theron ware is an unique character and unfortuantely I believe we can find a little of ourselves in him. Since the story is about him one has to look for for the true protagonist of the story, which is his wife Alice
Jun 20, 2008
Heidi
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 24, 2011
Judy
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This is an old book, 1890's, about a young minister, so sure of his skills as a minister. He encounters narrowmindedness in his church and new ideas from other churches. The result is his damnation, giving up the ministry. This sounds stogy, but it is not.
Sep 03, 2007
Heather
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At first I really liked the main character, because he reminded me of myself and seemed so human. But then I started to wonder about his choices...then I HATED him...and finally I pitied him. This book was interesting as a look into how some people approach religion.
Jun 06, 2010
Lucas
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Fantastic! This was in a list of books recommended by professors in the college newspaper. The review for it was simply "The greatest American novel that nobody has ever read."
Jan 29, 2012
Norman
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Frederic wrote perhaps the greatest American novel of the "Gilded Age," but because he died shortly thereafter and never wrote another strong book, he is largely forgotten. Too bad: this is a fun read and a real insight into the period.
Sep 19, 2008
Sarah
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Like a Victorian hangover. You wake up regretting the voluptuous, redheaded pianist *and* the Irish priest...but at least your wife is downstairs frying up the creamy potatoes.
