The cathedral : a novel / by Hugh Walpole
1967, Reprint. London : Macmillan. Very good cloth copy in a good if somewhat edge-nicked and dust-dulled dust wrapper, now mylar-sleeved. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Item #335023
Physical description: 531 p.; 20 cm. Notes: Contains literary and cultural references to: Sentimental Tommy by J. M. Barrie, The Sowers by Henry Seton Merriman, Roger Vanburgh’s Wife by Adeline Sergeant, King Lear by Shakespeare. See attached document for details. Subjects: Religious fiction. Family -- fiction. Tragedies. Fiction in English. English fiction 20th century. Genre: English fiction.
Fiction - English - 20th century. Summary: Archdeacon Brandon is the most powerful man in Polchester Cathedral and highly regarded throughout the town. This book charts his downfall as first his much loved son runs off with the daughter of a disreputable innkeeper and then his rather disregarded wife runs off with a local clergyman. Only his daughter Joan who he has never taken any interest in, stays loyal to him. Brandon wrongly blames these misfortunes on Canon Ronder who has recently arrived in the town. Brandon fails to see that it is his own arrogance and self absorption that is at the root of his problems. Ronder and Brandon are further pitted against each other over who should be appointed to a vacant living in the diocese. As Brandon sinks into despair with his life falling apart around him, he becomes obsessed with who will be appointed to the living and sees it as the final battle he must win at all costs.
Price: €18.95