The Devil (Papini book)
| Author | Giovanni Papini |
|---|---|
| Original title | Il diavolo |
| Translator | Adrienne Foulke |
| Language | Italian |
| Publisher | Vallecchi |
Publication date | 1953 |
| Publication place | Italy |
Published in English | 1954 |
| Pages | 398 |
The Devil: Notes for Future Diabology (Italian: Il diavolo. Appunti per una futura diabologia) is a 1953 book by the Italian writer Giovanni Papini.
Summary
The Devil is about the Devil, whose theological history Papini traces from ancient Egypt. Papini argues that the Devil is part of the creation that God loves, lays out a thesis about Lucifer's rebellion, and—based on readings of Origen and selected early Christian texts—predicts that the Devil will ultimately be saved and abolish Hell.[1][2][3] The book sees Papini return to the problem of evil, which had been the subject of two mystery plays he published in 1906.[4]
Publication
The Devil was Papini's 40th book and was published in Italian by Vallecchi in 1953. The English translation by Adrienne Foulke was published in 1954.[4] The book and its theses were condemned by the Holy See.[1][2]
References
- ^ a b "Be Kind to Satan?". Newsweek. Vol. 44. 1954. p. 84.
- ^ a b "Religion: Back to Origen". Time. 4 January 1954. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ Chase, John (26 September 1956). "Something That Bewitches'; The Devil. By Giovanni Papini. Translated from the Italian by Adrienne Foulke. 246 pp. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. $3.75". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ^ a b Healey, Robin (2019). Italian Literature since 1900 in English Translation 1929-2016: An Annotated Bibliography, 1929 2016. University of Toronto Press. p. 93. ISBN 9781487502928.