In this captivating sequel to La-bas, Huysmans delves deeper into the spiritual journey of the novelist Durtal. After grappling with a past steeped in depravity and Satanism, Durtal embarks on a desperate quest for solace within the Catholic faith. Guided by his keen aesthetic sensibilities and the wisdom of a compassionate priest, he begins to find his way. It is only through a transformative retreat in a Trappist monastery that he experiences profound spiritual awakening, leading him toward a renewed sense of purpose and belief. (Peter Tucker)