The Cathedral

"The Cathedral" by Joris-Karl Huysmans is a story set in the late 1800s about a man named Durtal and his deep exploration into believing in a higher power, as well as all the unknowns of the Virgin Mary, with his deep thoughts blending together with detailed descriptions of where he's at, mirroring what he's dealing with internally and how he's evolving spiritually. As the story begins, Durtal is in Chartres, dealing with being in the moment and the intensity of the forest surrounding the Cathedral. Watching the people nearby, like nuns and priests, dealing with the rough weather, he starts wondering about the Virgin Mary and everything that faith and struggle bring to the table. Durtal's strong tie to the divine comes through as he thinks about when the Virgin Mary has appeared in places like La Salette and Lourdes, and the unique feeling captured by how beautifully constructed the Cathedral is. This dive into what it means to be spiritual, alongside the main character’s own battles, gives a thoughtful vibe as the story moves forward.