Anatole France 
Thais 

Lost to the desiccated desert of 4th century Egypt, reclusive hermit Paphunce reflects on his sinful life. Determined to become closer to God, Paphunce resolves to bring God his childhood infatuation, the beautiful actress Thais. On his godly mission, Paphunce ventures out across the desperate landscape and dons a disguise to reach Thais. However, in his attempts to help her reach salvation, Paphunce may find himself eternally lost to damnation. As beautifully written as it is profoundly philosophical, ‘Thais’, a fictionalised retelling of the life of fabled Christian convert Saint Thais of Egypt, seeks to question the superficial virtuousness of religion. For any fans of Martin Scorcese’s ‘Silence’, ‘Thais’ is an enthralling story that asks similarly important questions about the nature of faith and is a riveting read that belongs on everyone’s bookshelf. –