The Revolt of the Angels

"The Revolt of the Angels" is one of the most successful and profound novels by Anatole France. It follows the life of Arcade, an angel that watches over Maurice d’Esparivieu. However, one day Arcade falls in love, gets recruited in the angelic rebellion, and begins his existential metamorphosis and his part in the overthrowing of God. The overtones of Milton’s "Paradise Lost" echo strongly here, with France’s emphasis on the satirical presentation of the world's affairs and problems. Government, war, religion, and human relationships are all the targets of the author’s poignant criticism. The novel is also a parody and a powerful allegory that reads as quite prophetic in the 21st century.



Anatole France (1844-1924) was a French writer, poet, and journalist, who won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Literature. An important figure of literature and a political activist, France is often considered one of the most prominent French authors. Among his most popular works are "The Revolt of the Angels", "Penguin Island", and "Thaïs".