Lazarus (West novel)

Last updated

Lazarus
Author Morris West
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
GenreFiction
Publisher Heinemann
Publication date
1990
Media typePrint
Pages296 pp.
ISBN 0855613467
Preceded by Masterclass  
Followed by The Ringmaster  

Lazarus (1990) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Heinemann in England in 1990. [1]

Contents

This is the third book in West's "Vatican trilogy", following The Shoes of the Fisherman and The Clowns of God . [2]

Synopsis

Pope Leo XIV is a staunch conservative, the perfect product of the Vatican hierarchy. But when he recovers from double-bypass heart surgery he undergoes a philosophical change of heart and begins to see the world in a new light. He now aims to change the Doctrine of the Faith away from being repressive, secretive and authoritarian. Interwoven with this new philosophy is the discovery of a plot to assassinate the Pope while he recovers from his surgery in a Swiss clinic.

Critical reception

Writing in The Canberra Times Ralph Elliott noted: "I doubt whether Mr West is much troubled by academic neglect. Lazarus not merely confirms his standing as a consummate storyteller; it forces the reader to ponder not only the role of the Church in today's world, nor just the constant threat of terrorism for whatever fanatical cause, nor the fates of individuals caught up in moral or political quandaries, but perhaps most of all what the novel's title implies." [3]

In her literary study of West and his work, Maryanne Confoy noted: "In Lazarus, West's concern about the apparently increasing irrelevance of the Church in a world where abuse of human rights abounded was based on his conviction that there was a desperate need for the Christian message of love, peace and justice that was the Church's missions to proclaim to all people. West's personal vision is communicated through Leo's description of his hope in the future as a consequence of his own change of heart, the same change of heart that is available to all people in their own relational contexts." [4]

Publication history

After its original publication in 1990 in England by publishers Heinemann [5] the novel was later published as follows:

and many other paperback editions. [1]

The novel was translated into Spanish in 1990. [1]

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

Perfectae Caritatis, the Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life, is the document issued by the Second Vatican Council which deals specifically with institutes of consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church. One of the shorter documents of the Council, the decree was approved by a vote of 2,321 to 4 of the assembled bishops, and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 28 October 1965. As is customary for Church documents, the title is taken from the first words (incipit) of the decree: "of Perfect Charity" in Latin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morris West</span> Australian novelist and playwright

Morris Langlo West was an Australian novelist and playwright, best known for his novels The Devil's Advocate (1959), The Shoes of the Fisherman (1963) and The Clowns of God (1981). His books were published in 27 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.

<i>The Grisly Wife</i> 1993 novel by Rodney Hall

The Grisly Wife is a 1993 Miles Franklin literary award-winning novel by the Australian author Rodney Hall.

<i>The Devils Advocate</i> (West novel) 1959 novel by Morris L. West

The Devil's Advocate is a 1959 novel by Australian author Morris West. It forms part of West's "Vatican" sequence of novels, along with The Shoes of the Fisherman (1963), The Clowns of God (1981), and Lazarus (1990).

This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1966.

This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1974.

The Big Story (1957) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West.

This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1990.

Maryanne P. Confoy RSC is an Australian religious Sister of Charity who has also been a teacher and scholar, working primarily in the areas of ministry and spirituality.

Summer of the Red Wolf (1971) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West.

The Salamander (1973) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West.

Harlequin (1974) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Collins in England in 1974.

The Navigator (1976) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Collins in England in 1976.

Proteus (1979) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Collins in England in 1979.

"Song of the Shingle Splitters" (1874) is a poem by Australian poet Henry Kendall.

The Clowns of God (1981) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Hodder and Stoughton in England in 1981.

The World is Made of Glass (1983) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Hodder and Stoughton in England in 1983.

Cassidy (1986) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Hodder and Stoughton in England in 1986.

Masterclass (1988) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Hutchinson in England in 1988.

The Ringmaster (1991) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Heinemann in England in 1991.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Austlit — Lazarus by Morris West (Heinemann) 1990". Austlit. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Austlit — The Vatican Trilogy". Austlit. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. ↑ ""Out of death's shadow"". The Canberra Times, 3 March 1990, p20. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Morris West: Literary Maverick by Maryanne Confoy, John Wiley & Sons, 2005, p258
  5. ↑ "Masterclass (Hutchinson)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Lazarus (St. Martin's press)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.