"The Cathedral: A Novel" by Hugh Walpole is a story that takes place in 1897 and revolves around Archdeacon Adam Brandon, a powerful man in the town of Polchester. The book tells of the difficulties in his relationships with his family, the church, and the townspeople. Pride and power are big ideas in the story, along with how personal feelings and religious power mix together in a cathedral town. Archdeacon Brandon is a well-known person in Polchester, thanks to his strong personality and commanding presence. Early parts of the book show his history, family life, and the setting of the cathedral town, pointing out the differences between his own goals and the quiet, traditional ways of Polchester. We meet his wife, Mrs. Brandon, and their children, Joan and Falk; their family life is shown to have some neglect and unacknowledged dreams, all under the shadow of the cathedral. Things get heated when Falk is kicked out of Oxford, which hints at serious family problems, and the arrival of Canon Ronder brings even more change and challenges to Archdeacon Brandon’s control in their small community.
The Cathedral: A Novel
By Hugh Walpole
In a close-knit cathedral town, a powerful religious leader faces family turmoil and challenges to his authority with the arrival of a new rival, threatening his long-held position.
Summary
About the AuthorSir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. He was the son of an Anglican clergyman, intended for a career in the church but drawn instead to writing. Among those who encouraged him were the authors Henry James and Arnold Bennett. His skill at scene-setting and vivid plots, as well as his high profile as a lecturer, brought him a large readership in the United Kingdom and North America. He was a best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s but has been largely neglected since his death.
Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. He was the son of an Anglican clergyman, intended for a career in the church but drawn instead to writing. Among those who encouraged him were the authors Henry James and Arnold Bennett. His skill at scene-setting and vivid plots, as well as his high profile as a lecturer, brought him a large readership in the United Kingdom and North America. He was a best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s but has been largely neglected since his death.
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