#10398 Messiah. Gore Vidal.
Gore Vidal

Messiah

Messiah is a satirical novel by the renowned American writer Gore Vidal, first published in 1954. Set in a future society, the story revolves around John Cave, an undertaker who becomes the founder of a new religion centered on the worship of death. Throughout the novel, Vidal offers a satirical critique of the intersections of religion, media, and corporate power, exploring the lengths to which society might go in its search for meaning and the consequences of elevating charismatic figures to divine status.

Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, cloth-backed boards, stamped in gilt. New York: Dutton, 1954. #10398.
Fine copy in nearly fine dust jacket.

Additional Details
Messiah is a satirical novel by acclaimed American writer Gore Vidal, delving into the creation and rise of a new religion in a future society. The story begins with John Cave, an undertaker whose benign pronouncement gains unexpected traction. As his popularity soars due to televised broadcasts, a corporate and media machinery forms around him, including a publicist, psychotherapist, and Eugene Luther, who becomes the chief doctrine writer. Out of a mix of ennui and intellectual curiosity, Luther crafts 'Cavesword,' a synthesized doctrine from fragments of various religions and philosophies. As this new gospel takes the world by storm, it quickly transforms into an authoritarian force, with Cave Centers sprouting in cities, and its clergy—Residents and Communicators—usurping traditional religious figures.

However, as Cavesword's influence grows, so do its extremities. Suicides increase, with believers seeking 'Cavesway' in specialized units. Churches and religious institutions, including the Vatican, are obliterated. The means to ensure global adherence to Cave become increasingly oppressive. All the while, Luther's misgivings intensify, especially as the movement's original message becomes more commercialized and distorted, turning religion into just another business venture. Vidal brilliantly draws parallels with Christianity and other major religions, illustrating how even the purest intentions can be co-opted, commodified, and corrupted when intertwined with profit motives. The novel is a gripping commentary on faith, power, and the dangerous intersection of religious fervor and corporate interests.