The Shoes of the Fisherman

Overview

An international bestseller upon publication in 1963, the story of Kiril Lakota, a cardinal who reluctantly steps out from behind the Iron Curtain to lead the Catholic Church as pope, and finds himself thrown into the machinations of Cold War politics

The pope is dead and the corridors of the Vatican hum with intrigue as cardinals gather to elect his successor. The result is a surprise: the new pope is the youngest of them all-a bearded Ukrainian. The Shoes of the Fisherman is the moving story of Kiril I, recently released from 17 years in Siberian labor camps and haunted by his past. Not only is he the leader of a fractured Catholic Church, but he also finds he must confront his inquisitor and tormentor in order to avert another world war. 

Reviews

"A masterpiece." —Chicago Tribune

"High drama . . . beautifully executed." —Sunday Times

Author Biography

Morris West was one of the great storytellers of the 20th century. He wrote 28 novels, several of which were made into films, as well as plays and non-fiction. His books have sold nearly 70 million copies worldwide, and have been translated into 28 languages. He is best known for his novels The Devil's Advocate, The Shoes of the Fisherman, and The Clowns of God.