The Priest's Tale - Père Etienne From "The New Decameron", Volume III.

"The Priest's Tale - Père Etienne" by Robert Keable is a novel written in the early 20th century that delves into themes of faith, exploration, and the connections between cultures. The book follows the story of Père Etienne, a Catholic priest on a mission in Africa, as he recounts his experiences and interactions with the local people during his long tenure in the region. It explores the spiritual and emotional facets of missionary work, encapsulating both the joys and the sacrifices that come with it. In the narrative, Père Etienne reflects on his memories of the hidden town of Mtakatifuni and its last remaining inhabitants, particularly focusing on an elderly native named Mwezi. Mwezi had devoted his life to waiting for a white priest foretold in a vision—a figure he believed would bring faith and community to his village. When Père Etienne finally arrives, Mwezi, filled with anticipation, hopes to meet the man of his dreams—a man who ultimately turns out not to be the one he envisioned. The climax of their story revolves around a profound connection forged through faith and longing. As Père Etienne uncovers the town's history and the loss experienced by Mwezi, the narrative beautifully highlights the intersections of destiny, spirituality, and the profound impact of human relationships across cultural divides. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Keable was a British novelist, formerly a missionary and priest in the Church of England. He resigned his ministry following his experiences in the First World War and caused a scandal with his 1921 novel Simon Called Peter, the tale of a priest's wartime affair with a young nurse. The book sold 600,000 copies in the 1920s alone, was referenced in The Great Gatsby, and was cited in a double murder investigation. Fêted in the United States, but critically less than well-received, Keable moved to Tahiti where he continued to write, producing both novels and theological works, until his death at age 40 of kidney disease.