Hadrian the Seventh

"Hadrian the Seventh" by Frederick Rolfe is a book about George Arthur Rose, a struggling writer with health problems and a weary spirit, who becomes the Pope. Rose is a lonely figure, finding solace in his cat, Flavio, while criticizing society. Overwhelmed by melancholy and the challenges of his past, he considers his calling, relationships, and the importance of art, which establishes a contemplative mood for the unfolding events. These reflections on faith, authority, and internal struggle are central to the plot.