From All False Doctrine

By Alice Degan,

Book cover of From All False Doctrine

Book description

"And smoke and fire, or maybe not fire, just smoke, and ... I don't know, somebody is saved from something."
"Damnation, one would expect," he replied automatically. "Though perhaps that's too obvious."

Toronto, 1925: An ancient manuscript and a modern cult promise the secret to personal metamorphosis. An atheist graduate…

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Why read it?

1 author picked From All False Doctrine as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I'll be honest, I wouldn't have picked this one up if I didn't know and love the author under a different pen name. It's a metaphysical mystery set in the 1920s, centred around an atheist falling in love with a priest. The writing has a beautiful clarity, the style perfectly evokes a witty comedy of manners, and the interactions of all the characters, but especially Kit and Elsa, work so well. It's followed up by a loose sequel set in the 1940s and I recommend that one too, if you like this style.

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