What Happened

Easy to read full book summaries for any book.

The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 1

By Émile Zola

Summary of The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 1

The book tells the story of Abbe Pierre Froment, a French priest who arrives in Rome to defend his book "New Rome" after it has been denounced to the Congregation of the Index. Pierre is hosted by the noble and ancient Boccanera family, who are experiencing their own struggles, including a potential annulment and financial troubles. As Pierre navigates the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican, he meets various key players, including Cardinal Boccanera, a stern and unyielding prince of the Church, and Monsignor Nani, a charming and influential prelate. Despite being advised to withdraw his book and destroy it, Pierre remains determined to defend his ideas and navigate the treacherous world of Vatican politics. Throughout the book, Pierre delves deeper into the intricacies of the Catholic Church's inner workings and the motivations of its key players, all while trying to protect his book and his vision for a more modern and adaptable Catholicism. The story is a complex and intriguing exploration of power, faith, and politics within the Vatican.

Chapter Summary of The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 1

THE THREE CITIES

The chapter introduces Abbe Pierre Froment, a French priest who has arrived in Rome to defend his book, "New Rome", which has been denounced to the Congregation of the Index. Pierre is a passionate and idealistic priest who believes in the need for Catholicism to evolve and adapt to the modern world. He is hosted by the Boccanera family, a noble and ancient family with a long history of producing cardinals and popes. The family is currently experiencing a crisis, with the young Countess Benedetta seeking to annul her marriage to Count Prada, a wealthy and influential man. Pierre meets various members of the family and their associates, including Cardinal Boccanera, a stern and unyielding prince of the Church, and Monsignor Nani, a charming and influential prelate. As Pierre navigates the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican, he begins to realize that his book has become a pawn in a larger game of power and intrigue.

ROME BY

Abbe Pierre Froment arrives in Rome and is taken to the Palazzo Boccanera, where he meets the family, including Princess Serafina, Contessina Benedetta, and Cardinal Pio Boccanera. Pierre is struck by the grandeur and decay of the palace and the city, and he begins to learn about the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican. He meets various members of the family and their associates, including Monsignor Nani, and begins to realize that his book, "New Rome", has become a pawn in a larger game of power and intrigue. Pierre is granted an audience with Cardinal Boccanera, who advises him to withdraw his book and destroy it, citing the need for perfect respect for dogma and the dangers of literary pride. Despite the Cardinal's stern words, Pierre remains determined to defend his book and his ideas, and he begins to navigate the complex and often treacherous world of Vatican politics.

ROME PART I I

Abbe Pierre Froment arrives in Rome and is taken to the Palazzo Boccanera, where he meets the family, including Princess Serafina, Contessina Benedetta, and Cardinal Pio Boccanera. Pierre is struck by the grandeur and decay of the palace and the city, and he begins to learn about the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican. He meets various members of the family and their associates, including Monsignor Nani, and begins to realize that his book, "New Rome", has become a pawn in a larger game of power and intrigue. Pierre is granted an audience with Cardinal Boccanera, who advises him to withdraw his book and destroy it, citing the need for perfect respect for dogma and the dangers of literary pride. Despite the Cardinal's stern words, Pierre remains determined to defend his book and his ideas, and he begins to navigate the complex and often treacherous world of Vatican politics.

II

Abbe Pierre Froment arrives in Rome and is taken to the Palazzo Boccanera, where he meets the family, including Princess Serafina, Contessina Benedetta, and Cardinal Pio Boccanera. Pierre is struck by the grandeur and decay of the palace and the city, and he begins to learn about the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican. He meets various members of the family and their associates, including Monsignor Nani, and begins to realize that his book, "New Rome", has become a pawn in a larger game of power and intrigue. Pierre is granted an audience with Cardinal Boccanera, who advises him to withdraw his book and destroy it, citing the need for perfect respect for dogma and the dangers of literary pride. Despite the Cardinal's stern words, Pierre remains determined to defend his book and his ideas, and he begins to navigate the complex and often treacherous world of Vatican politics. Meanwhile, Pierre becomes acquainted with the Boccanera family's history and their current struggles, including Benedetta's annulment proceedings and Dario's financial troubles. He also meets Don Vigilio, the Cardinal's secretary, who seems to be hiding secrets and is not what he appears to be. As Pierre delves deeper into the world of the Vatican, he begins to uncover the intricacies of the Catholic Church's inner workings and the motivations of its key players.

III

Abbe Pierre Froment, a French priest, arrives in Rome to defend his book "New Rome", which has been denounced to the Congregation of the Index. He is hosted by the Boccanera family, a noble and ancient family with a long history of producing cardinals and popes. Pierre meets various members of the family and their associates, including Cardinal Boccanera, a stern and unyielding prince of the Church, and Monsignor Nani, a charming and influential prelate. As Pierre navigates the complex web of relationships and alliances within the Vatican, he begins to realize that his book has become a pawn in a larger game of power and intrigue. He visits Cardinal Boccanera, who advises him to withdraw his book and destroy it, citing the need for perfect respect for dogma and the dangers of literary pride. Despite the Cardinal's stern words, Pierre remains determined to defend his book and his ideas, and he begins to navigate the complex and often treacherous world of Vatican politics.