The Well of Saint Clare

"The Well of Saint Clare" by Anatole France is a story set in late 19th-century Sienna, Italy, where the narrator meets Father Adone Doni, a Franciscan friar. The book explores big ideas about spirituality, what it means to be good, and how complicated faith can be, all through the stories and thoughts of Father Doni. The narrator tells us about his walks in Sienna and his talks with Father Doni. They discuss life, right and wrong, and what evil really is, especially from the friar’s unusual ideas about the Devil. Father Doni shares a special story about Saint Clare and a vision of Saint Francis, blending old spiritual stories with personal thoughts and deep questions, drawing readers into a thoughtful exploration of faith and what it means to be human.