The Lords of Folly: A Novel - Hardcover

Logsdon, Gene

3.89

18 ratings by Goodreads

9780897335607: The Lords of Folly: A Novel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0897335600 ISBN 13: 9780897335607

Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers, 2007

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Veteran nature writer Gene Logsdon debuts a brilliantly comic novel set in rural Minnesota in the 1950s. The novel, inspired by the author's ten years studying in vain for the preisthood, follows the sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic lives of a group of seminarians who realize they no longer believe the theology they are being taught, nor in the celibate life they are supposed to be leading. They resolve their problems in highly unusual ways, some tragicvally, some happily. Along the way readers encounter a rogue's gallery of colorful and eccentric characters. In the mix there is stuff about organic farming, alcohol distillation, cowboy philososphy, baseball and alternative medicine. This is a truly original work, and it is sure to be controversial.

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Book Description:

The Lords of Folly – A Novel

Gene Logsdon

A Wicker Park Press Book

Veteran nature writer Gene Logsdon debuts a brilliantly comic novel set in mid-20th century America. Logsdon brings his considerable powers of imagination to telling the story of a time and place long gone, of old-time religion, and of eccentric characters who mix together with the combustible affect of fire and alcohol. The setting is rural Minnesota in the early 1950s, where a group of seminarians are making their way to Ascension Seminary in Shakopee to complete their education as Oblates of St Joseph. The young men question everything about their life studying for the priesthood,

The protagonist Blaise changes the spelling of his name to Blaze, and he and Gabe, along with another compatriot named Fen, lead a band of brothers that come to be known as “the most troublesome class in seminary history.” The pillage the storage area of the seminary, spend the summer doing grueling farm work instead of reading their breviaries, assist a local bootlegger in brewing exquisite moonshine whisky, and lay their hands on rifles and shotguns that were previously confiscated from Josephian priests who had passed away. “They rarely shot at anything and when they did they missed,” writes Logsdon with raffish humor. One exasperated Friar dubs them “the Sonuvabitchin’ Davy Crockett Boys.” Of course, they love it and the name sticks. But underneath the mayhem and merriment that the SBDC Boys cultivate, lies a darker world of doubt and bewildermenbt about sex and sanity. What should they do doing with their lives, they ask each other nervously. It is the resolution of that question - that is, who the hell is sane in this crazy world? - that brings their adventures to a surprizing and triumphant conclusion.

This novel was inspired by Logsdon’s ten years studying in vain for the priesthood. As we follow the lively adventures of the SBDC Boys, we encounter a rogue’s gallery of colorful characters and religious situations. Logsdon has cobbled together a rollicking narrative that is reminiscent of such American originals as Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller.

Gene Logsdon is the author of over 20 books. Among them are The Contrary Farmer, Man Who Created Paradise, Good Spirits, All Flesh Is Grass, Wyeth People and The Pond Lovers. He lives on a farm in Northern Ohio.

About the Author:

A prolific nonfiction writer, novelist, and journalist, Gene Logsdon has published more than two dozen books, both practical and philosophical. Gene's nonfiction works include Holy Shit, Small-Scale Grain Raising, Living at Nature's Pace, The Contrary Farmer's Invitation to Gardening, Good Spirits, and The Contrary Farmer. His most recent novel is Pope Mary and the Church of Almighty Good Food. He writes a popular blog, The Contrary Farmer, as well as an award-winning column for the Carey Ohio Progressor Times, and is a regular contributor to Farming Magazine and Draft Horse Journal. He lives and farms in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. You can visit his blog at http: //thecontraryfarmer.wordpress.com/.

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