This is a unique Spanish-style story created by Maugham in his later years. The heroine of the story, Catalina, is a beautiful, intelligent but unfortunately disabled Spanish girl in the small town of Fort Rodriguez. One day, she claimed that the Virgin Mary suddenly appeared to her and told her that among the three Valero brothers in the city, the one who served God the most devoutly would heal her lameness. The eldest brother among the three brothers is none other than the Archbishop of Segovia. The Virgin's revelation seemed clear enough, but the development of things was beyond everyone's expectations. Around this innocent girl who claims to be favored by the Virgin, various forces have launched an overt and secret struggle with their own ulterior motives, all trying to take advantage of the "Mother's Appearance" to realize their unspeakable plans. In the end, can the girl resist all attempts to control her life and gain her own freedom, career and love?
Reader comments
"Eternity is so terrible! For a soul suffering eternal hell, millions of years are equivalent to the amount of rain falling on the earth since the beginning of the world; equivalent to the number of water droplets in all the rivers and seas in the world; equivalent to the number of leaves on all trees; equivalent to the amount of fine sand on all beaches; equivalent to the number of tears of all human beings since God created man. After so many years The pain of these suffering souls will continue for countless years, just as it did on the first day. And eternity will not be any less, as if not a moment has passed. And this is the eternal pain that I have committed such a serious crime. Oh, I am afraid there is no one."
"It backfired," Domingo replied. "Now I am just a poor scholar, a playwright who can't find actors to perform the scripts I write. I am a hired scholar who writes sermons for priests who are too stupid to write anything. I am also a drunkard and an idler. I don't have you. That sense of mission, my dear Blasco. Life is very tempting to me. It is neither the church nor the hall, but the adventure and danger of the Yangguan Avenue. I have experienced life, I have been hungry, I have traveled long distances, my back and legs have been sore. I have been completely defeated and suffered all the misfortune a person can encounter. Even now, as time passes by, I have no regrets about the wasted time. Sometimes, I walked to a remote village to sleep. Illiterate idiots write letters; sometimes I sit in a small room, surrounded by books, trying to find rhymes for certain speeches in a play that will never be performed, but I am so happy that I would not be willing to trade for a cardinal or a pope."
I really like this passage
The plot of this book is so exciting! The story that happened to Katarina resonated with me, especially her tenacity and courage in the face of difficulties and setbacks, which I admire very much. I had been through a similar dilemma, but it was so encouraging to see her ultimately able to resist outside manipulation and gain freedom and love. This book made me believe that as long as I stick to my beliefs, I will be able to find my own happiness.
I finished reading it before I knew it! Maugham's narration is smooth and natural, which is really fascinating. Reading the whole book is like watching a drama. Life is like a play, and play is like life.
The bishop's religious background is the same as Alyssa's [face covering]
"Eternity is so terrible! For a soul suffering eternal hell, millions of years are equivalent to the amount of rain falling on the earth since the beginning of the world; equivalent to the number of water droplets in all the rivers and seas in the world; equivalent to the number of leaves on all trees; equivalent to the amount of fine sand on all beaches; equivalent to the number of tears of all human beings since God created man. After so many years The pain of these suffering souls will continue for countless years, just as it did on the first day. And eternity will not be any less, as if not a moment has passed. And this is the eternal pain that I have committed such a serious crime. Oh, I am afraid there is no one." "It backfired," Domingo replied. "Now I am just a poor scholar, a playwright who can't find actors to perform the scripts I write. I am a hired scholar who writes sermons for priests who are too stupid to write anything. I am also a drunkard and an idler. I don't have you. That sense of mission, my dear Blasco. Life is very tempting to me. It is neither the church nor the hall, but the adventure and danger of the Yangguan Avenue. I have experienced life, I have been hungry, I have traveled long distances, my back and legs have been sore. I have been completely defeated and suffered all the misfortune a person can encounter. Even now, as time passes by, I have no regrets about the wasted time. Sometimes, I walked to a remote village to sleep. Illiterate idiots write letters; sometimes I sit in a small room, surrounded by books, trying to find rhymes for certain speeches in a play that will never be performed, but I am so happy that I would not be willing to trade for a cardinal or a pope." I really like this passage
The plot of this book is so exciting! The story that happened to Katarina resonated with me, especially her tenacity and courage in the face of difficulties and setbacks, which I admire very much. I had been through a similar dilemma, but it was so encouraging to see her ultimately able to resist outside manipulation and gain freedom and love. This book made me believe that as long as I stick to my beliefs, I will be able to find my own happiness.
I finished reading it before I knew it! Maugham's narration is smooth and natural, which is really fascinating. Reading the whole book is like watching a drama. Life is like a play, and play is like life.
The bishop's religious background is the same as Alyssa's [face covering]