Setting, #1

Setting is really my biggest problem for this project. Part of the reason why the original book worked is that it was set in a monastery/nunnery (in the book, the two were right next door and shared a courtyard).

I am of course aware that these things still exist, but they just don't have the same meaning today. Here are some reasons why the original setting was so effective when it was published in England in the 18th century:

• A nunnery was a sort of refuge for young women. Agnes decides to become a nun when she believes she won't be able to marry her boyfriend.
• The Catholic Church was viewed in a very specific way in England at that time. There was a certain element of mystery about it, because it was foreign and ritualistic, but it was also looked down upon somewhat. I don't think the idea of a corrupt monk/priest was all that uncommon in literature of the time. So it was seen as both enigmatic and somewhat corrupt.
• Also, the position of the church in the physical setting (some town in Spain) is different. The book opens with one of Ambrosio's speeches. Even though most of the town isn't really that religious, everyone comes to see Ambrosio speak because he's an eloquent, powerful speaker.

These things have all changed. Yes, the recent scandals with Catholic priests might have a similar tone to them, but I don't want anything to do with that -- it has nothing to do with my novel, and by now I think it's a tired concept.

(And anyway, that kind of corruption would be too evil. The corruption in this novel is supposed to be interesting and maybe even a little bit relatable. Ambrosio's not just some sicko; I think the idea is that anyone might be capable of doing what he does, even though most will choose not to.)

And then there are the more obvious features of the setting. Most importantly, in a monastery or nunnery, you were in big trouble if they found out you had a lover. That propels a lot of Ambrosio's behavior, and it gets Agnes imprisoned for most of the book. So whatever my setting is, there have to be serious negative consequences for having sex -- and, for the Ambrosio character, a substantial fear of being discovered.

More on this later.