The Cathedral

The Cathedral (La Cathédrale, 1898) is a novel by Joris-Karl Huysmans, a French writer known for his transition from Naturalism to Symbolism and his deep interest in Catholicism later in life. This novel is part of a quasi-autobiographical series following the character Durtal, who first appeared in Là-bas (1891) and continued through En Route (1895). In The Cathedral, Durtal has converted to Catholicism and, recovering from a crisis of faith, retreats to the town of Chartres to immerse himself in the study of its famous Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame de Chartres.

Charles-Marie-Georges Huysmans (5 February 1848 – 12 May 1907) was a French novelist and art critic who published his works as Joris-Karl Huysmans.

Translated by Clara Bell.