Average customer rating:
- Proof of which god's existence
- A WONDERFUL, AFFIRMING (at least, for me) NOVEL
- A tasty morsel of philosophy and fiction
- Not profound, not a thriller, probably not worth your time.
- Shaggy dog story, by fermed
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A CORNER OF THE VEIL: A Novel
Laurence Cosse
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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| Religion & Spirituality
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Suite Francaise
ASIN: 0684846675 |
Amazon.com
On Monday, May 24, 1999 at 8:32 p.m. precisely, Father Bertrand Beaulieu of the French Society of Casuists opens a thick, handwritten letter and makes a stunning discovery: "Six pages further, he was trembling. This time the proof was neither arithmetical, nor physical, nor esthetical, nor astronomical; it was irrefutable. The proof of God's existence had been achieved." One of the many delights in Laurence Cossé's darkly funny ecclesiastical thriller, A Corner of the Veil, is the fact that the reader must accept the existence of this proof on faith. Though a handful of characters read the letter and are profoundly affected by it, Cossé holds her cards (and her proof) close to the vest; we never see it. In Father Beaulieu's mind, however, there's no doubt that what he has is the real magilla. He hurries to his friend Father Hervé Montgaroult, who, after explaining in detail and at length why it is impossible to prove the Almighty's existence, reads the proof himself and instantly falls into a beatific meditation on a world without doubt:
There would be no such thing as success any longer: Do the sea or the sky have success? No more failure: Does a tree know failure? No more hierarchy among men: Is the night superior to the river?
Bertrand and Hervé bring the letter to their superior, Father Hubert Le Dangeolet, who refuses to actually read the thing and tells them to keep it absolutely secret until he can figure out what to do with it. Unfortunately, in a moment of bliss, Hervé has already revealed the monumental news to his sister, who happens to be married to a high-ranking official in the French government. Soon, word of it reaches the Prime Minister and before long the entire French cabinet is involved. Once politicians involve themselves in this momentous event, A Corner of the Veil really takes off--and Cossé demonstrates that elected officials are not the only political animals to reckon with. As the author pits priest against priest and pol against pol in a life-and-death struggle over the ultimate fate of the proof, God gets lost (literally) in the shuffle. By the end of this provocative, literary page-turner, you'll be wondering if it's the Almighty or the Devil pulling the strings. --Alix Wilber
Book Description
"The proof was neither arithmetical, nor physical, nor esthetical, nor astronomical; it was irrefutable. The proof of God's existence had been achieved."
What would happen if God's existence were absolutely, undeniably proven? This stunning French best-seller, a nominee for several literary prizes, plunges us into a scramble among the highest officials of church and state when six pages irrefutably proving God's existence land in the hands of a powerful order of priests. With two thousand years of doubt put to rest, could this astounding discovery eliminate all motivation to work, capsize world economies, and abolish the need for government and clergy? Could this spur a new era of world harmony, or launch one final battle into the apocalypse?
France's L'Express called this "an ironic, jubilant thriller...a breathtaking trip through the corridors of secular and spiritual power." In an eloquent foreword, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack Miles writes that Laurence Cossé "makes the language glow -- as she makes the whole of this irresistible little book glow -- with equal measure of clarity, intelligence, humor, and warmth."
A brilliant literary page-turner, A Corner of the Veil playfully yet profoundly speculates what might happen if the most powerful institutions on Earth discover the most extraordinary revelation of the millennium.
Customer Reviews:
Proof of which god's existence.......2005-09-16
This is a delightful book as some of the reviews state and well worth reading. It did leave me wondering however which of the purported gods it proved the existence of. It seems to assume (without ever being explicit) that it is the traditional Judeo-Christian-Muslim god - Yhwh, g-d, God, Allah. An interesting follow-up would be a book about the proof of the existence of, say, Vishnu or ...
A WONDERFUL, AFFIRMING (at least, for me) NOVEL.......2002-04-09
I read with interest -- and a chuckle -- the complaints of some reviewers about the 'humor' in this novel. I found humor in abundance within its pages -- not the 'belly-laugh' sort of humor that we Americans have come to expect from TV sitcoms and films, but the 'wry smile' sort of humor that is more touching and subtle. Cosse's writing is both humorous and meaningful -- but there is a lot more to this little book than humor.
Interestingly enough, the book I read just prior to picking up this novel was Simon Mawer's THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS, in which a priest deals with the discovery of an ancient scroll that has the potential to destroy his church, the message within being one that repudiates all that Christianity has stood upon for nearly two thousand years. In A CORNER OF THE VEIL, the opposite occurs -- a manuscript is received by the Casuist order in France that proves, after hundreds of years and innumerable attempts by philosophers and thinkers, the irruftable existence of God.
It would seem that the church would look upon such a find as a victory of sorts -- everything they have been espousing over their history has been verified on paper, in terms that anyone can understand. And while it is true that those who read the proof -- spiritual and secular people alike -- are touched by it on the deepest possible level and reduced to tears of joy, the proof brings sheer terror and panic to the hierarchy of the church and state. Grim predictions are made that, if the proof is made public, it will mean the end of society as we know it, chaos, the end of the world.
The struggles and machinations the proof sets into motion are both humorous and thought-provoking. Without giving away any more of the story, I will simply say that I felt the message to be one, not of revelation, but of affirmation. The novel is not anti-religious in any form or fashion that I can see -- nor is it indoctrinarial in the least. I found it to be intelligently conceived and written, a very compelling and moving work -- one which I can recommend heartily.
A tasty morsel of philosophy and fiction.......2001-05-19
Cossé's essay-length book has a provocative premise: How would proof of God's existence effect a secular modern government and its keepers? While the writing is swift and crisp, I was disappointed by the hasty, too-neat ending. (The concluding pages read as if the author had run out of steam, or interest.) Still, Cossé deserves credit for staging her intriguing scenario in a credible fictional landscape. The opening pages, when one of the characters walks across Paris at dawn, observing an awaking urban world he is convinced will be transformed by the divine good news, are especially strong and evocative--much more so than the later unfolding of the plot.
Not profound, not a thriller, probably not worth your time........2000-08-08
No matter what the publishers' reviews says, this book is not profound, it is not a thriller, and it is probably not worth your time.
Laurence Cosse has written a little book that makes fun of the Frensh establishment. That's all. It happens to mention "God" and therefore publishers feel obliged to say that it is "profound". It isn't. It is simply a litterary mechanism for getting to the French ecclesiatical establishment.
And it is not a "thriller". There is hardly even any story there. It moves from one little (usually 1, 1 1/2, or 2 pages) sketch to another, with only the weakest of excuses to bind them together. The individual scenes can be quite funny - especially if you have some previous knowledge and expereince of French culture and governance - but a collection of individual scenes does not make a story.
Find something more rewarding to read.
Shaggy dog story, by fermed.......2000-04-14
This is a beautifully translated work. It reads as if it hadbeen written in English, and Linda Asher is to be commended for herseamless rendition from one language to the other. Her judgment in choosing what to bring to the English language, however, is quite faulty.
It is an awful little book. Its single theme (God's revelation of His existence) becomes a shaggy dog story unworthy of much more than (may be) a couple of pages. Somehow the book manages to appear to have 271 pages, but don't be fooled: its pages are the short size (4.5 x 7.25 inches) often used in paperbacks; 43 of these pages (16%) contain only the day of the week and the time of day: "Monday, 8:32 P.M." for example. In addition it has a foreword and a postface. Thus the book is stretched to give it a certain heft it ill deserves. Its content, a single joke repeated over and over, makes for dismal entertainment. This is a watered down confection lacking in texture, nutrition or flavor. Return it to the kitchen, if possible. Then try another restaurant.
Customer Reviews:
Another in Johnstone's long line.......2001-08-20
Howdy folks, I'm James Drury, of television's the Virginian. These days I'm reading books onto audio tape, so I get the chance to read a lot of books. I must say, if you like gritty realism, you will like this Johnstone book. I liked it, but because of the amount of violence I probably would not let a younger reader pick it up. I have heard Johnstone compared to Kirby Jonas, and I guess my best way to review this book is to say, if you enjoy realism with a lot of violence, go with Johnstone, and if you enjoy your realism with the violence slightly toned down, go with Jonas. He is my personal favorite. But both are great writers and will surely live on forever with well deserved notoriety!
Another good mountain man book by Johnstone........2001-08-01
Johnstone writes good books, esp westerns, and mountain man books. Hope he keeps them coming.
Book Description
Tess Sullivan is a young women struggling through her teenage years and consumed with the dream of becoming a jockey. A sickly orphaned colt is entrusted to her care and Tess must now cope with this added burden. The colt is descended from a long line of thoroughbred racehorses and the blood of competition courses through its veins. Despite the colt's handicap, he demonstrates the desire to race with champions and Tess is determined to help the colt fulfill his destiny. Tess is aided in her struggle to train the colt by a powerful Sacree chief who is now a medicine man with supernatural powers. The colt has a mystical palm print on its flank and the medicine man believes the colt is a long promised symbol of prosperity for the Sacree nation. The ancient chief introduces her to mysterious forces that dwell in the Rocky Mountains and she discovers that his magic is capable of predicting and changing her future. He helps her realize her dream, but not before she an her colt are tested to their limits. Only when they begin to achieve their goals does she realize the true purpose of the old man's plan.
Customer Reviews:
#4 - ONE OF THE RARE 5 PLUS STARS - DEFINITELY A KEEPER!.......2005-12-12
This is definitely one of the best frontier books out there.
Number 4 is a series of related characters starting with HIGH PLAINS WIFE [670] - 715 - 734 - 752,THIS ONE + 765.
Betsy Hunter, friend of Mariah Scott and Rayna Ludgrin, is finally getting her story told. She has taken over the laundry for the people of the surrounding area from Mariah. Oh the tales these ladies could tell.
Betsy's mother and brother, Joshua Gable [next story, 765] wants to see her married and settled but not to a mountain man.
It has been five years since her husband, Charlie has died. Betsy does not believe that she will ever find a man to love like she loved Charlie.
Duncan Hennessey tries to drive Betsy off with insults and a mean attitude. But she is fascinated by the dour man. And makes the mistake, this is September I think, of trying to eat and drive. Her strawberry pie attracts the attention of a couple of bears who are getting ready for hibernation.
Much as Duncan does not like women in general, he has suffered because of one woman's lies, he comes to Betsy's rescue.
[You have to take the story from there - Wow! is it good]
Betsy's over-protective mother, grandmother, and brother lead her to believe that Hennessey died.
Yup! more lies done in the name of love.
You still have to like Joshua for all his bumbling ways.
We also find out that Rayna is pregnant and it seems that Mariah is joining her. They also love to tease Betsy about the joys of the marriage bed, of which she is well aware.
You will enjoy this love match and the so interesting way it progresses. I have listed all 5 of these books as keeper to be enjoyed again in the near future.
We are still left up in the air about Duncan's relationship with Dillion Hennessey of 715 - THE HORSEMAN. Drat!
Now, Will there be more stories? - As Betsy has 3 more brothers, James who is married already, all younger than her.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m - Definitely a keeper!
Customer Reviews:
Good but not his best.......2003-05-01
Smoke Jensen takes 3,500 head of cattle up into Montana to sell to the neighbor of Clint Black, a man who would try anything to desuade or prevent anyone from doing something black does not want to happen. But trying to stop Jensen is like trying to stop an 18 ft. hole in Hoover Dam with a cotton swab.
Customer Reviews:
The First Mountain Man.......2005-10-23
A very interesting story which helps to set the stage for other books to follow in this series. A good stand alone tale but also the foundation to all in this series. Very believable events and interesting characters.
The First Mountain Man: The Preacher.......2004-04-07
I loved this book and want to continue to read the rest in the series. I couldn't put the book down, waiting to see what was going to happen to this young, brave boy that grows into a fine man. I want to follow the story as his life unfolds, but want to keep them in order. I would like to thank the author for an exciting adventure of the true west, and hope there will be a happy ending to Art, the Preacher's life.
Great! Reading.......2002-03-26
Really enjoyed this book. After reading all the Preacher books and almost all the Mountain Man Series, I felt that the author was repeating many sections in some of the books. Not this one! It tells the story of Preacher when he started out. So it was all new material. It was hard to put down!
Very good book.......1999-06-26
Good Book Would like to read more. Please send a list of others
Book Description
A USA Today Bestselling Author
Smoke Jensen never wanted to kill, but fate had other plans, and the Mountain Man has left plenty of blood, tears and fury in his wake. Angus MacDougal, the father of one of Smoke's victims, wants revenge. He intends to bring Smoke back to Pueblo and hang him before a crowd. It's a bloodthirsty plan that might have worked, except for a beautiful young woman, and the small knife she slips into Smoke's hand.
Customer Reviews:
Suspend belief and enjoy.......2007-10-03
Don't read this book....unless you're prepared to read the ton of other
books in the "Smoke Jensen and Preacher" series. This author writes a book
before breakfast and another just before dinner. They're plentiful and
highly addictive. Suspend belief and enjoy.
Smoke Jensen, in particular, shoots or fist fights around a hundred
hard cases per book and they all highly deserve the mayhem he delivers.
In spite of this high fiction (most famous old West gunfighters only
killed 3 or 4 men in their entire lives) you'll soldier on with the
series because Smoke Jensen is the stuff heros are made of and the
writing is crisp and moving.
Just don't say you weren't warned when you find that you spent your whole
summer (or winter) in a comfy chair with 50 or so of these read books
strewn around you.
Customer Reviews:
BIG MISTAKE.......2003-05-03
Smoke Jensen the fastest, toughest gun around decides to hang it up to get married and start a family. Now if you had lived in the same era as smoke would you even think of doing harm to Smokes wife or any off-spring? No!! But then you are not as dumb as Slater.
The only good outlaw is a dead outlaw!.......2001-07-25
Outlaw Lee Slater is asking for trouble when he challenges Smoke Jensen's retired mentor, but when he shoots Smoke's wife, he gets more than he can handle.
Customer Reviews:
Not A Great Western.......2005-05-09
I picked this book up along with a Max Brand novel, the Tyrant. Now, I know I shouldn't look for much when it comes to mass paperback genre fiction. I really was just hoping for a quick read, some humor and decent writing. I got humor, if only because Johnstone creates a nutso character in Smoke Jensen. I mean, in the plot....wait, sorry. I finished it an hour ago and for the life of me, can't remember the plot. All I really remember is the showdown between Smoke and York and 4 Mexican banditos (complete with handlebar moustaches and gun belts across the chest) backing up an Englishman captured family and platearmored Pullman. Yep, fascinating. Took me three days to read, it was that bad. Sorry, only deserved 2 stars, 1 because it's a western, 1 because it's written on paper.
Heroic recording.......2002-08-09
I picked up this audio cassette and enjoyed the dramatic presentation very much. I've listened to a few books on tape but this was the first that I've heard as an audio drama. I'm looking for more now because of this tape. I'm not familiar with the Mountain Man series, but I have become a fan through this recording.
Average customer rating:
- Misleading history
- Interesting and informative
- A Refreshing Look at Yellowstone History
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The First Known Man in Yellowstone
Jerry Bagley
Manufacturer: Old Faithful Eyewitness Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0970782802 |
Book Description
The Rocky Mountains were first explored by trappers who mostly couldn't read or write. However, one mysterious trapper did write. In fact, he was the earliest eyewitness reporter of remarkable Rocky Mountain curiosities. He unraveled the mystery of western river courses and first reported the world's largest hot spring and an amazing free-flowing oil spring. He was with the party that discovered the astonishing Great Salt Lake and wrote its earliest eyewitness description.
But most remarkably, he reported the earliest undisputed visit to Yellowstone Park, with its spectacular lake, astonishing hot pools, and bubbling, spouting mud pots and geysers.
For more than 100 years this man's writings were known but his name wasn't. The only clue was the initials: D. T. P. But now historians have figured it out. He was Daniel Trotter Potts, one of the few men with writing skills going to the mountains with remarkable explores- Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger.
Customer Reviews:
Misleading history.......2004-10-30
Bagley strives mightily to posit his personal view that Daniel Potts, and not John Colter, was the first American to see Yellowstone. This, despite overwhelming evidence from numerous sources that Colter was, indeed, the first American to see the area. He was, in effect, the first Yellowstone tourist. Bagley summarily dismisses all this evidence to advance his theory.
He presents no new information on the fur trade, merely repeats simplistically what has long been known. The Daniel Potts letters are well known to fur trade historians, and have been previously published.
Interesting and informative.......2002-10-20
This book is good enough to make a movie out of.
A Refreshing Look at Yellowstone History.......2002-10-20
This is a fascinating and well-researched book on an important aspect of Yellowstone discovery that is unknown to even many western American historians. It gives an exclusive look at Daniel Potts, the first man to ever see and record the wonders of the Yellowstone country. The book describes how trappers lived, the weapons they used, and the people they came in contact with. The book also contains the never-before published letter that Potts wrote about his experiences in Yellowstone. It is refreshing to have a "new" historical icon. Unlike Lewis, Clark, Bridger, or Young who have had countless biographies, articles, screenplays, and documentaries done on them, this book shows us a fresh face of a frontiersmen who was there all along, but history overlooked. The book was based on the author's thesis he wrote at Brigham Young University. I work as a librarian there, and his thesis was invaluable to researchers for decades. It is good to finally see it in print where more people finally can enjoy another "new" hero of the American West.
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