The Cardinal Sins

by Andrew M. Greeley

Book Overview

"The Cardinal Sins" ignited a worldwide sensation when it first appeared nearly thirty years ago. Selling more than three million copies, it launched Andrew M. Greeley's career as one of America's most popular storytellers. Back in print at last, this powerful saga of ambition, temptation, and love both spiritual and carnal is as timely and provocative as ever.Lifelong friends and occasional rivals, Kevin Brennan and Patrick Donahue enter seminary together, but their lives soon diverge dramatically. Intellectual and independent, Kevin achieves success as a scholar but often finds himself at odds with his superiors in the Church. And his unwavering principles threaten to cut him off from those closest to him including the former sweetheart he has never forgotten.By contrast, the ambitious Patrick rises steadily through the Church hierarchy, only to fall prey to the temptations of lust and power. As hidden scandals and Patrick's inner demons threaten to destroy the lives of everyone around him, it's up to his oldest friend to save him from himself and foil a conspiracy that could change the very future of the Papacy "

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765322919
• ISBN13: 9780765322913
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 414 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO UMMM....

I've just finished this book and found it to be one that could be non-fiction. It was, as another reviewer expressed, "delightful". I'm, however, surprised that all the critics of the book finished it if they found it "torture" or "awful". May it's because it's human and could possibility be happening right now. I couldn't put it down because it was truly entertaining and about unconditional friendships that lasted through some terrible conditions and ended with some terrible consequences. I'm neither Catholic, Irish-American or gay but this book has me interested in reading others by Father Greeley, he's indeed a brave man.

I've read this book 3 or 4 times over the years and I also

have an audio version. It is a great story about love, Gods love for us and our struggle to return it and to love one another. Each time I read it or listen to it I discover something more about the theme, the characters and myself.

Delightful!

I read the author's book, "...and young men shall see visions," in high school, and was mildly inspired. I thought he was another of those closet gay priests that had taught me and I was afraid enough of my own sexuality that I ignored him for the next 35 years, although I saw his name from time to time and noticed he had gotten into the supermarket and airport booksellers venue. Then I happened to see one of his books in the library and on impulse pulled it off the shelf. I was amazed. Here he is speaking to the issues that have penetrated my life for the last 50 years. Someone else noticed all this and has been going through it all too! Now this is the third novel of Greeley's I have read. (I am going backward to see howe he got started). Is it great literature? I am not sure. I am not a literary critic. Nevertheless, this book speaks to me and my life. I have met its characters and have been some of them. I know what makes them cry and laugh and burn with desire and shame, however politically uncorrect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hope you will too. Maybe even if you are not an Irish-American Catholic.