 | |
| Author | Morris West |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Publisher | Collins |
Publication date | 1979 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 273 pp. |
| ISBN | 0002216744 |
| Preceded by | The Navigator |
| Followed by | The Clowns of God |
Proteus (1979) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Collins in England in 1979. [1]
The novel's protagonist is John Spada, an Italian-American who leads a multinational corporation. He also secretly heads a covert organisation called Proteus, aiming to free prisoners of conscience around the world. To achieve this, Proteus threatens to release a deadly botulism culture into selected cities' water supply.
John Philip in The Canberra Times thought that the "essence of a gripping yarn is there; but the story, as it unfolds, falters and finally fails." He concluded: "All in all, a disappointing novel. A great deal of action is developed around a topical theme; but finally Morris West loses touch with reality." [2]
In her literary study of West and his work, Maryanne Confoy noted: "In Proteus West was trying to discover whether the goodness of one human being could triumph over the evil of another. If the thoroughly evil person violated a thoroughly good person, could such a violation be overcome by goodness alone? Would the good person have to resort to evil in the effort to sustain live." [3]
After its original publication in 1979 in England by publishers Collins [4] the novel was later published as follows:
and many other paperback editions. [1]
The novel was translated into: Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Brazilian, Danish, Norwegian, German, French and Spanish in 1979; Finnish, Swedish and Japanese in 1980; Hebrew in 1982; and Slovenian in 1985 . [1]
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.
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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.
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.
Lazarus (1990) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Heinemann in England in 1990.
The Ringmaster (1991) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Heinemann in England in 1991.
The Lovers (1993) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by Heinemann in England in 1993.
Vanishing Point (1996) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by HarperCollins in England in 1993.
Eminence (1998) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by HarperCollins in Australia in 1998.
The Last Confession (2000) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. It was originally published by HarperCollins in Australia in 2000.