The Miracles of Antichrist

The Miracles of Antichrist is a profoundly philosophical tale of Christian theology told in this captivating prose by Nobel Prize laureate Selma Lagerlöf. This work narrates a love story between Gaetano, a young man who ultimately converts to socialism and to working for the interest of the people in need all around the world, and of Micaela, a devotee who falls in love with Gaetano. Micaela sees Gaetano's absence of faith as a great evil, making their chance at having a love story rather bleak. The novel's plot was developed during a trip to Sicily when Lagerlöf became familiar with a Sicilian legend: «When Antichrist comes, he shall seem as Christ» and took inspiration from the tale. The story circles around the antichrist in the form of a statue that Micaela prays to, which performs alleged miracles that are indiscernible from those of Christ. This is a beautifully written novel with a thoughtful plot and an amazing character development. Lagerlof examines the outlines of faith and how faith shapes our world.