Earthly Powers

Anthony Burgess's undisputed masterpiece traces eighty-one years in the life of homosexual writer, lapsed Catholic and 'old devil' Kenneth Toomey. A highly successful but second-rate novelist and playwright, he has spent his life reconciling his sexual urges with his faith, and coming to terms with his own literary mediocrity. His story is also inextricably linked to that of his old friend Carlo Campanati, a fleshy, worldly and ruthless Italian priest destined to become Pope. As Toomey recalls the past, his dazzling narrative takes in the major events of history, as well as original sin, free will, good and evil, in a truly awesome overview of the twentieth century.