Lord of the World
Robert Hugh Benson
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
“Mr. Benson sees the world, four or five generations hence, free at last from all minor quarrels, and ranged against itself in two camps, Humanitarianism for those who believe in no divinity but that of man, Catholicism for those who believe in no divinity but that of God.”
This apocalyptic novel from the early 1900's is sometimes deemed one of the first modern dystopias. (Summary from an original London Times review and Wikipedia) (10 hr 35 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Phenomenal
A LibriVox Listener
Thank you to all of those who spent their time to record this prescient novel, particularly the young lady who at the end sang the Pange so well, if not in a man's voice. Considering that it was written over a hundred years ago its amazing how accurately Benson gets the "history" of the last century. The only thing he misses is the depths of sexual depravity to which we have sunk and the fact that the "smoke of Satan" would even infiltrate the Church. Benson takes for granted that sad little men like Fr Francis would have the honor to exit the Church before starting to work against her or that prelates would force them out. Sadly these two developments place the Church in an even weaker position than Benson imagines at the beginning of this novel. Marana Tha!
amazing!!
A LibriVox Listener
Completely blown away by this book. I consider it life changing. Fantastic reading by Maria Therese. I was mesmerized the entire time.
Amazing
ServantofMary
Wonderful book, wonderful narration. 100% recommend to all Catholics.
well written, moving, whether catholic or not.
A LibriVox Listener
Strange mirror of today and history
Cornish Alabaster Ferret
It was interesting to imagine what the future (20th century) would be like from the perspective of the 19th century. I think it is funny the contrast between the technology the author considered to be breakthrough and futuristic at his time didn’t revolutionize the world in the way that he thought. On the other hand, I think that the humanitarian aspect of the story is accurate. Historically, however, it was fascism (then socialism after) that led to the persecution of religious in Europe and other places. This story highlighted for me that, in the last century, the sentiment that, “We’ve evolved beyond all that evil and superstition,” that develops into new evil and new superstition. Maybe it’s a lesson humanity must learn every century. The end of the book, though, was not what I wanted. The rest of the story, including the last sentence, had me on the edge of my seat. The Catholic Church considers herself to be a church of martyrs so I suppose it was a fitting end. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis, dona nobis pacem.
Bravo from Borneo
Lord Jim
This is a very deep and complex book and requires full concentration. However, it is certainly an experience and I appreciated the attempt to cast a dystopian view of faith and the challenges this might bring and conflicts created with governments. The book becomes even more impressive upon reflecting that it was written more than 100 years ago. I must give a nod to the narrators who all did a good job.
Excellent depiction of the end of the World
Cephas05
This book, although dated in some aspects is a wonderful depiction of how the end of the world may look, with Christ coming in his glory. It contrasts the truths of Catholicism with those beliefs of naturalism and pantheism held by the world. Thank you to all the volunteers who read the chapters in this book!
too many readers and Father Elijah much better
DangerRuss
read Father Elijah over this, it had its moments but pales in comparison.