The Vicar of Christ

the long version

What makes this book extraordinary is that it proves itself by paradox -- reconciling and weaving together strong, seemingly incompatible elements into a cohesive, memorable work quite unlike any other in recent fiction. Ambitious in length and scope, the stage is nothing less than the contemporary world, its recent history and prophecy; while the focus, from several points of view, is clearly upon a single man -- an American -- who rises to become Bishop of Rome.