The Gadfly

The novel of "The Gadfly" in Chinese and the movie bearing the same name, are two brilliant works of "The Gadfly" I first encountered, and loved so much, while I was in my teens, although my young age was somewhat restricted me from comprehending the conspiracies and struggles inside the hero. After so many years I finally had a chance to read the original novel by Ms. Voynich. I was thrilled. Many details were recalled and many emotional moments were re-experienced, only this time it was with more intensity and inspirations, and maybe more tears. An epic of revolutions, religions, and moralities, this novel digs deeply about human beings and their loves - the love for their country; the love for God; the love between father and son; and the love between lovers... If its arousing power of revolt appealed me the most many years ago, now stronger the resonance in my heart is the hero's soul, his dilemmas and his complexities. From Arthur, a devotee to God, to the Gadfly, an unswerving atheist, the renouncement was triggered by the betrayal of his confessor (Father Cardi) and the deceit of his "Padre", his actual birth father, the Cardinal Montanelli, intensified through all the unimaginable sufferings (emotionally and physically) he endured, and firmed along the path of his pursuing for true believes. To me the fact that the Gadfly lived his most valuable years, and finally died, as an atheist is more intriguing in how the belief being rooted than the belief itself. In reading this book, it gave me great satisfaction in meditating over character the Gadfly, the more so because he was a human being, and a very sentimental one. With Ms. Voynich's feminine touch, the relationships, love relationships, were portrayed with immense depth and delicacy. The connection between Montanelli and the Gadfly truly stimulates me with the thoughts on God and his son, Jesus Christ. The love between Gadfly and Gemma, full of pain and pathos it was, is the purest and the most beautiful love I could ever imagine. "Then am I a happy fly, if I live or if I die", the short verse written at the end of the letter which the Gadfly wrote to Gemma, just before his execution, is very simple, but profoundly encapsulates the Gadfly's life, one that was so short, and yet so fulfilling, and one that's likely to leave you reflecting on yours, too.

I was pointed in the direction of 'The Gadfly' when I read R.B, Lockhart's book about Sidney Reilly. I didn't expect the novel to be anywhere near as moving and wonderful as it is. I'm about halfway through it at this moment, and it has really got a grip on my imagination; I am already sad that in a day or two I'll be finished with it, and in a couple of weeks it'll have to go back to the library! I hope some publisher will bring out Ms. Voynich's books again before too long. For those who are having trouble finding copies of 'The Gadfly' or other Voynich works, I suggest going to an older public library, or a University library. Seeing how popular Voynich was in her day, there ought to be copies out there.NB-- First publication of 'The Gadfly' was 1897, I believe --certainly not 1867. The events of the NOVEL are set in the middle 1800s, corresponding with the rise of Italian nationalism, but Ms. Voynich (not to mention Reilly, the ace of spies) was not born early enough to participate in all that. She must have done a lot of research! --but I'm sure this era of Italian history attracted her quite passionately because of its many parallels with conditions in pre-revolutionary Russia. 'The Gadfly' is a VERY intense book, in which not only the author's political/religious convictions, but also her deep fascination with a certain man saturate every page and make the reading a timeless adventure and a keen emotional experience. For readers who DO know the Reilly story, either from Lockhart's book or from the 1983 TV series starring Sam Neill, 'The Gadfly' is quite revelatory --especially if your curiosity extends beyond espionage into psychology. In fact, some of Neill's mannerisms, reactions, etc., in the role of Reilly, make me think he must've read Voynich's book as background. If so, he couldn't have looked to a better source.

This novel isn't widely known in the US, but its popularity in Europe cannot be underestimated. This book is great for several reasons: 1)this is a romantic quest in the best sense of the word, with the protagonist larger than life, 2)this is a book about moral and religious choices that I hope none ever have to make, and the way different people may follow different paths, 3)this is a book about love in all its forms: love for the country, love between a man and a woman, love between a father and a son. It's about love for life, even when death seems a better alternative. It's too bad that this book is out of stock - but if you ever find it on the Auctions or Ebay, hurry to buy it. This is an epic no one will be able to resist.

I first read this book in Chinese when I was 11. Although I didn't fully understand the political side of the novel, it left me crying over the story for weeks. I have reread it many times since, and it has never failed to move me. The authur explores human nature in all ways possible and touches your heart with an intensity. Arthur, a young Christian in the 19th Century when Italy was under Austrian rule, is the hero of this book. The 19 year old boy's protected world is broken when he learns that his tutor - Father of church - is actually his birth father. At the same time that he finds he has been betrayed by the only person he trusts he is mistaken by the only girl he loves. Not wanting to face his father and explain to Gemma, the shy and gentle Arthur leaves for South Africa, making everyone believe he has taken his own life. In a new environment he is thrown into the harsh realities of life, his body and soul hardend by human cruelty. 15 years later he returns to Italy where The Gadfly is born as a respected potential revolitionary. Having been through so much pain and body injuries, Gemma didn't recognise her beloved Arthur but sees him as a commorade in the dangerous revolutionary life. The Gadfly's role as a rebellious fighter places him and his father - now a cardinal - on opposite sides of the political stage. All emotions are explored when the father has to choose between his long lost son and his Lord on the cross. The baldness of the Authur takes you through a man's life where he is transformed from a naive believer of God to a sly fighter who hates God for having his father's love. The ending is so moving it will make you look at life in a whole different perspective. This is the best book I have ever read and I recommand it to everyone who loves reading, no matter when type of books they like.

I don't remember how many times I have read this book. It has never failed to move me. The character the Gadfly emanates an idealism which is very much based on the pulsation of life and love, and by no means just based on certain political ideas. The hero of the book has become a testing ground for the moral strength of the thousands of young revolutionaries of his generation. The Gadfly has never ceased to be human in the book. One feels the vitality of life and love in both the young Authur and the Gadfly. I have been looking for books about and by E.L. Voynich. But all my efforts have not yet been fruitful. E.L. Voynich was married to a Polish revolutionary and lived in Soviet Russia for a while. This book has been very popular with young people in the Soviet Union. It has been made into a movie twice. I hope that the internet cam provide more information about the author. Please E mail me if you have information about the author and her books.