Memoirs of the Twentieth Century
Memoirs of the Twentieth Century ( memories of the 20th century ) is a kind of early science fiction, 1733 by the Irish writer Samuel Madden wrote. The world is described in a number of diplomatic letters towards the end of the 20th century. The Anglican Madden warns of thedanger posedby the Catholics / Jesuits who dominate the vision. In this respect, according to the author's point of view, the work can beseenas an early dystopia ; mostly,however, Memoirs is referred to as utopian satire.
The book was published anonymously and did not have a wide impact; the author James Gleick called it "illegible even in 1733".
content
The book consists of various letters written by British diplomatic representatives in the cities of Constantinople , Rome , Paris and Moscow to the treasurer of King George VI. as well as from various replies. The first letter is from Constantinople and is dated November 3, 1997. It is noticeable that there is no technical progress whatsoever in the future. Only political and religious topics are discussed.
In Madden's future, the Jesuits are the dominant global power; After devastating conflicts between Spain , France and the Holy Roman Empire in the 18th century, the Jesuit Paul IX was able to unite Italy and the three conflicting parties under his rule in the early 19th century. Large parts of Africa , China and Paraguay also came under papal rule.
King Louis XIX rules France, but his state is weak and basically under the control of his prime minister, a Jesuit. The Ottomans have lost power in Constantinople to the Tartars , who pursue a loose religious policy. In 1997, Christian influence through Jesuit missionaries dominated here too. Russia is an expansion-obsessed power that has already captured Finland , Poland, and parts of Persia and Turkey , and has traditionally opposed the Jesuits.
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/abstracts/a36.htm
- ↑ James Gleick: Time Travel. Phanteon Books, 2016, p. 29