# Prince Istar — The Revolt of the Angels character guide

> Prince Istar in The Revolt of the Angels by Anatole France.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Istar, the savage Istar

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A bomb-making Kerûb who trades celestial loyalty for social revolution, cheerfully indifferent to whether he frees angels or men.

## Who they are

Prince Istar is a Kerûb who has joined the colony of fallen angels in Paris, where he spends his mornings bent over furnaces and retorts, concocting explosives for the good of humanity and dodging the police. He has spoken at radical meetings and served prison time for anti-militarism, and he tells Arcade frankly that he has no preference for angels over men — the coming social revolution interests him more than the reconquest of Heaven. His blunt, uncouth laugh and his willingness to forget his native land in favor of earthly upheaval make him both a comic foil and a serious challenge to Arcade's celestial ambitions.

## Relationships

### [Arcade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/arcade)

_friendship_

Arcade teams up with Prince Istar, a powerful fallen angel, as a key ally in the celestial revolt.

### [Madame de la Verdelière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/madame_de_la_verdelier)

_social_

Madame de la Verdelière hosts Prince Istar in her salon, treating him as an exotic and intriguing guest.

### [Arcade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/arcade)

_friendship_

Arcade teams up with Prince Istar, a powerful fallen angel, as a key ally in the celestial revolt.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as a known rebel angel with whom Arcade has exchanged letters and who offered him lodging.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xiv)

A Cherub who rebelled, now a chemist and anarchist, devoted to humanity's welfare but neglects the celestial revolution.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xvii)

Manufactures bombs but lacks funds; accompanies Arcade to request money from Max Everdingen; demonstrates a small copper cylinder bomb.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxiii)

Visits Bouchotte to hide bombs, attempts to force himself on her, is fiercely resisted, and leaves after washing his wounds.

### [The Conclave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxvi)

Hires the meeting hall; expels the loyal angel; later argues that victory lies in chemistry, not war.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxvii)

Attends Bouchotte's gatherings with bombs and champagne, provided by Baron Everdingen.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxxii)

Present at the meeting at Clodomir's; gives an account of the forces assembled against Ialdabaoth.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Traces bomb mechanisms on the pavement, bellowing loudly, strikes Inspector Grolle, and throws a bomb to cover the escape.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Arrested but escapes by overpowering detectives and stealing a car.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/chapters/xxxv)

Returns to earth after Satan's coronation; present at Satan's awakening.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters/prince_istar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_revolt_of_the_angels_se/characters