The Celibate

(Paperback)

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Description

In this intelligent and emotive novel, readers follow the story of an unnamed church ordinary with his mind full of God and his heart closed to love who is sent to London where he enters an unfamiliar world of outcasts, down-and-outs, rent boys, religious fundamentalists and people with AIDS. In increasing despair, he embarks on a journey through the world of Jack the Ripper, the devastation of the Black Plague and the mysteries of his own family. As the past and present come full-circle he learns the true meaning of passion.

Reviews

It takes courage to write about faith in this faithless world, particularly from a homosexual viewpoint. But in The Celibate, Michael Arditti's first novel, the author's anger, conviction and sharp observation hold the reader's attention throughout -- Alistair Bruton * The Times *
An ambitious first novel, which traces the liberation of a human soul through a gradual revelation of the meaning of passion and the Passion -- Candia McWilliam * Independent on Sunday *
This deeply spiritual novel ... a carefully crafted, intensely analytical and deeply honest theological quest where the storyline becomes consumed in a broader faith journey -- Peter Stanford * Catholic Herald *
A bold and multi-layered first novel and one which negotiates a remarkably taut high-wire between frailty and ardour -- Graham Anderson * City Limits *
A fine political novel. Michael Arditti's eloquently beautiful style burns with passion and commitment. My mind and emotions were engaged for all of its 341 pages. A brave, unique book, this deserves the widest possible readership -- John Roman Baker * Rouge *
It is unusual to find an English first novel of such unflinching moral seriousness ... a varied and involving read -- Gregory Woods * Times Literary Supplement *
I found Arditti's heartfelt, even desperate, plea for tolerance and acceptance moving and honourable, not to mention timely -- Karen Lewis * Literary Review *
An exceptional book - at its core it combines the sexual with the spiritual * Sunday Times *

Author Bio

Michael Arditti is a novelist, short story writer and critic. His novels are The Celibate (1993), Pagan and her Parents (Pagan's Father in the USA) (1996), Easter (2000), Unity (2005), A Sea Change (2006), The Enemy of the Good (2009), Jubilate (2011), The Breath of Night (2013), Widows and Orphans (2016), Of Men and Angels (2018) and The Anointed (2020). His short story collection, Good Clean Fun, was published in 2004. He was awarded a Harold Hyam Wingate scholarship in 2000, a Royal Literary Fund fellowship in 2001, an Oppenheim-John Downes memorial award in 2003 and Arts Council awards in 2004 and 2007. He was the Leverhulme artist in residence at the Freud museum in 2008. His novels have been short- and long-listed for several literary awards and Easter won the inaugural Waterstone's Mardi Gras award. In 2012 he was awarded an Honorary DLitt by the University of Chester.