The Cabala

"The Cabala" by Thornton Wilder is a story that shines a light on Rome in the 1900s, where a young American, James Blair, gets mixed up with a puzzling group called the Cabala. Alongside Miss Grier, they navigate the ups and downs of this high-class group, uncovering how much power they hold in society. Coming to Rome fresh, James is hit by the city’s deep history and meets people from all walks of life on a busy train. Guided by Blair, he finds out about the Cabala, a rich group that everyone looks up to but also fears. Through talks and actions, the novel shows how this group affects politics and society, even though they're battling their own problems and a sense of just going through the motions. The story kicks off an investigation into what wealth and power mean and how those at the top try to find purpose.