Description
Book SynopsisA Lost Tribe is a novel that charts the role of the priest in Ireland, from his exalted position to one of an endangered species. The seminarians at St Paul’s are granted permission to watch the opening of Vatican II, transfixed by the procession of bishops ‘vested in flowing robes’. Seduced by the power emanating from Rome and inspired by the vision of the Vatican Council, these young men sacrifice their instincts to a life in the priesthood. The dream collapses when the Irish Church becomes unwilling to evolve with a rapidly mutating world and unable to wield the power it once had. Unable to cope with the pressures of ministry and no longer fulfilled by their call, many abandon their vocation to seek a new life. Mac, a spirited young student, is disillusioned with the inadequacy of his seminary training and is expelled for a tryst, while timid fellow priests share remedies for the collective loneliness of their vocation. King’s daring novel offers an insight into the conflicted life of the priest struggling with the demands of a self-selected lifestyle and the isolation of clerical celibacy. A Lost Tribe is a poignant study of an altered society.
Trade ReviewKing skilfully succeeds in presenting a more personal, human face to a previously untouchable, deific figure; whether or not, however, the reading public is ready to welcome back this lost tribe with open arms remains to be seen. -- Sean Hayes * Irish Independent *
• ‘An emphatic and delicate exploration of faith, hope and loneliness … throwing a new light onto unspoken experiences.’ – John MacKenna • ‘Lively, engaging characters populate this novel … King skilfully succeeds in presenting a more personal, human face to a previously untouchable, deific figure.’ – Seán Hayes, Sunday Independent • ‘This is a wonderful book, rich in wisdom, beautifully written, highly entertaining and often laugh-out-loud funny … It has some wise and compelling things to say about why we are where we are and how we are.’ – Western People
