Lord of the World  (Paperback, Robert Hugh Benson)

"Lord of the World" portrays a world divided into three major powers: the West, the East, and the rest of the world. Julian Felsenburgh, a charismatic figure who rises to power, becomes the embodiment of the secular world order and its ideals. Felsenburgh seeks to unite all nations under a single government and eliminate religious beliefs, viewing them as obstacles to human progress. The story follows a Catholic priest named Percy Franklin, who becomes disillusioned with the direction the world is taking. As the conflict between religion and the secular world escalates, Franklin finds himself torn between his faith and the pressures of the changing world around him. "Lord of the World" explores themes of spirituality, religious faith, moral decay, and the clash between traditional beliefs and modern ideologies. It offers a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of a world ruled solely by secular humanism, devoid of spiritual values. Benson's novel is known for its thought-provoking exploration of the interplay between religion and society, as well as its prophetic insights into the challenges of the modern world. It stands as an early example of dystopian literature and has been praised for its philosophical depth and its examination of the human quest for meaning and purpose.