L'empire du Baphomet

Baphomet #1

by Pierre Barbet

L'Empire du Baphomet est un roman de science-fiction uchronique de Pierre Barbet, publié en 1972.

Le roman montre les angoisses de l'époque face à la puissance de l'arme atomique. Il constitue une uchronie, histoire parallèle à la nôtre, dont le point de divergence se situe en 1118.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Novels, Religion

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Pierre Barbet was the main pseudonym used by French science fiction writer Claude Avice.

Avice, a Doctor in Pharmacy, also used the pseudonyms of Olivier Sprigel and David Maine.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

DAW Collectors #35

Cover Artist: Karel Thole

Legal Name: Avice, Claude Pierre Marie, Birthplace: Le Mans, Sarthe, France (May 16, 1925 - 20 July 1995)

Alternate Names: Claude Avice, P. Barbet , Pierre Larose , David Maine , Olivier Sprigel

Claude Avice was a French science fiction writer and pharmacist.

Crusaders of the Atom..Are there parallel dimensions in which history turned out differently? Are there other universes with other Earths where the alternates became the realities? The "demon" was Baphomet--a stranded extra-terrestrial--and his alliance gave the Templars the atomic arms and scientific equipment to create the empire Baphomet needed for his own outer-space motives.

Baphomet trades a few atomic grenades, radios, and matter duplicators for food all the while plotting to forge a world government he can turn over to a rescue ship. The only suspense is how Baphomet’s plans will be foiled. The answer: unbelievably acute scientific perception on the part of the Templars (people of the Middle Ages weren’t stupid, but they were limited, as all people are, by paradigms of thought which are conveniently ignored). There is also the all too convenient, a deus ex machina, appearance of Tibetan mystics/telepaths who mentally subdue Baphomet.

[TAP · Rating 3 out of 5]

”I have the Archangel’s fiery sword…”

What if an alien being crash landed on Earth and the first human to make contact was a Templar? What if the alien being offered up atomic weapons to the Knights Templar in order for them to conquer the world simply for an exchange of food? What if the alien was a liar?

Baphomet’s Meteor answers those questions in its own dry, pulpy sort of way. I would consider this book to be alternative history/parallel universe with a dose of science fiction.

Worth a read for its (limited) commentary on conquerors and the powers that be.

I love the cover art with the typical representation of Baphomet. However, the alien is described as a bald, horned dwarf, so that is a minor inconsistency.

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know anything about the history of the Knights Templar, you know that in 1307 the Templar order became persona non grata and there was a major crackdown and round up of all Templars (there's a long story here about jealousy re their amassed wealth and the pope but it's too long to go into here). One of the charges against the Templars was that they worshipped a demon called Baphomet; very untrue, as the Templars were in the service of God. Lots of Templar history out there so if you are considering reading this book, you may want to do a quick historical scan beforehand. Anyway, the author of this book uses the connection between the Templars and Baphomet to produce an alternate history in which Baphomet, an ET who falls to Earth in his ship, becomes stranded here in France in the 12th century. It so happens that there is a Templar unit nearby, and Baphomet promises its leader that if he supplies Baphomet with food, he will give the Templars technology that will help them rule a world empire. The offer is too good to refuse. So Baphomet's Meteor is the story of the ongoing connection between the Templars and Baphomet; it stretches into the future about 100 years and by then the Templars have been busy little bees conquering already-established empires to create their own. But, as you know, there's always a catch.

I thought the book was fun -- and there is a definite twist at the end. I would recommend that you have at least a vague knowledge of Templar history, or you really won't understand a lot of what's in this book.

[Tomislav · Rating 2 out of 5]

2008 January 25 - Originally published in France in 1972 under the title, L'Empire du Baphomet, this book was translated to English and published by DAW the same year, as No. 35.

Suppose a demonic Alien (horns! and breasts!) were to crash in 12th century France, and ally himself with the Knights Templar, giving nuclear hand grenades and instructions to conquer the world! Well, then they would. End of story. Suppose Kurt Vonnegut's hack science fiction writer Kilgore Trout wrote in French! Well, then he would write a book like this. So fascinatingly bad, I enjoyed it.

[Frederick Heimbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best 2-star novel I've ever read.

The premise is fun, and it's the only reason I bought this novel (at a used book shop). It's refreshing, and a bit disorienting, to read a story where the Crusaders are not boogymen. (Based on the religious bent of this novel, I assumed this was the same Pierre Barbet who wrote the influential examination of the Crucifixion from a medical point of view called A Doctor at Calvary, but that is not the case.)

So what's the premise? Assume that the wild accusations against the Templars, that served as justification for the brutal suppression of the order, were true: they followed an goat-headed idol called Baphomet. Assume that Baphomet was, in fact, a stranded space alien with advanced technology. Assume he gives atomic bombs to the Templars so they may rule the world.

It's an idea that could have been pretty great. What spoils this book--one of many short, popular novels dashed off by the prolific Barbet--is too much haste and poor pacing. Barbet does not milk the conflicts or the climaxes for full effect. The big moments fly by so fast, the reader is left asking "whaaaaa?"

Worse is the character development, which is non-existent. The man does not know how to write dialog. His characters do not converse; they declaim. Here's an example:

"Your sovereign is endowed with great wisdom. I trust that he will show the same reasoning by accepting baptism and conversion to our Holy Faith. . ."
"He is most certainly farseeing," the Venetian [Marco Polo] replied. "You must have noticed that he has had the sides of all roads planted with trees which ensure shade in summer and indicate the roadway in winter when it is covered with snow."
"That I had observed. I also note that his subjects seem very prolific, which means many mouths to feed. Every family appears to have innumerable children."
"That is because these pagans have many wives."

You might think this passage is an exception, that extra formality is called for in this particular case. You would be wrong. The dialog reads like that all throughout the book. Crazy stuff. (Maybe translator Bernard Kay is partly to blame.)

Still, I went in with low expectations and was not disappointed. There are a great many other books in the world that make a better read, but if you have a particular interest either in the author, or the history, or in cheeseball disposable French sci-fi of the 70s, or whatever--then, sure! Read this novel. There are worse ways to waste your time.

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 1 out of 5]

I fucking hate Pierre Barbet so I have no idea why I read this. I suppose I found the concept intriguing. But Barbet writes like his audience is made up of kindergarteners, and he does that badly, and I expect the translation is poor as well. But I read the entire stupid book! And now I'm reading its stupid fucking sequel! I'm a masochist.

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Σύμφωνα με τα κιτάπια μου, τούτο το βιβλίο το αγόρασα τον Μάιο του 2010! Και να που τόσα χρόνια μετά, ήρθε η ώρα του να το διαβάσω επιτέλους. Λοιπόν, γενικά είναι ένα βιβλίο που παίρνει μέτριες κριτικές, είναι παλπ, είναι αρκετά απλοϊκό και υπερβολικά γρήγορο σε διάφορα σημεία... αλλά, διάολε, το βρήκα τόσο ψυχαγωγικό και ευκολοδιάβαστο και με ωραία ατμόσφαιρα, που εντέλει το απόλαυσα. Μιλάμε, προφανώς, για ένοχη απόλαυση, αλλά μια φορά απόλαυση. Σταυροφόρους έχει μέσα, επισκέπτες από το διάστημα, μάχες, δολοπλοκίες, τα πάντα. Και ένα τέλος που μπορεί να φανεί κάπως σε κάποιους, αλλά είχε την πλάκα του. Ωραία πέρασα, οπότε τέσσερα αστεράκια. (7.5/10)

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not Flaubert, but I quite enjoyed this historical-SciFi mashup, with a flavor of Harold Lamb as Templars with atomic weapons rampage from Acre to Cathay-- all in 144 pages! Read it in one day.

[Marcos Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book! Mixing science fiction with historical fiction, all in a quick read.

[J.j. Metsavana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lugu siis selles, et kuskil alternatiivses maailmas saavad Templirüütlid sõpradeks ühe maale alla kukkunud sarvilise tulnuka Baphometiga ja alustavad temalt saadud tuumarelvadega laiaulatuslikku kogu maailma ristiusku konverteerimist. Idee teosel on väga lahe (meenutab ühte mu lemmikteost "Kõrge ristirekt"), ka raamatu kaanepilt on imetabaselt ligitõmbav. Mis aga lugemisel häiris oli minule ulme vähesus. Umbkaudu 90% teosest võtab enda alla ikkagi ristiretkede kirjeldused, erinevate linnade piiramised lahingud jne. Isenesest polnud lahingud igavad aga autor unustab kohati ära kui võrd vinge tulemvärk tal Baphometi näol käes on ja ekspluateerib tulnukat minuarust häbiväärselt vähe. Ka lootsin saada lugeda sellest, kuidas Templirüütleid hakatakse taga kiusama ja näiteks Vatikani õhkimisest tuumapommiga - mida aga ei tulnud. Seega kokkuvõtteks hinne neli mitte viis, kuna minuarust oleks võinud antud teos jällegi märksa paksem olla. Praegu jäi lahtiseks (jah tean, et teine osa on ka olemas aga see ei vabanda!). Ilmselt ajaloohuvilistelt nagu Kristjan või Hargla saaks see tekst täispunktid.

[Kaus Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a long or complicated book. There is not an extensive exploration of characters, their motives. What it does have is a lot of battles between crusading armies, one of whom has the use of atomic weapons, courtesy of an alien with its own agenda.

Its greatest weakness for me, came at the end, when a paranormal solution was used to stop the alien. A stark contrast to the ending I was expecting, namely that the alien would live, and there would be an open-ended conclusion (with a possible sequel in mind). That was certainly the direction the story seemed to be heading. Right up until the epilogue. When paranormal abilities were introduced.

Still, it is a fun, short little story (though I doubt I would have appreciated it as much, had I read t in English).

[The Murderist · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Good: The concept is fascinating. The key battle scenes, pitting the Templars against various enemies that existed contemporaneously, were quite gripping. Baphomet's Meteor is a short read with a brisk narrative pace.

The Bad: The concept never really goes anywhere. The role of Baphomet the alien is portrayed almost entirely offstage. The ending is a cop out in almost every possible way: abrupt, unrealistically upbeat, and reliant on hitherto unmentioned "supernatural" abilities.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite alien coming to earth books - good read