The Revolt of the Angels

About this book

An angel living unnoticed in Paris begins reading the books in a private library. The more Arcade learns about history, religion and philosophy, the less willing he becomes to obey the ruler of heaven. Soon he is gathering allies for a rebellion with ancient precedents.

Anatole France transforms the fallen-angel story into a witty argument about power and belief. His supernatural conspirators debate theology, become entangled in earthly pleasures and find that overthrowing a tyrant may be less straightforward than they imagine. The novel delights in irreverence, but the question beneath its jokes is serious: what happens to a revolution once its leaders take possession of the throne?