The Keys of the Kingdom

The story of the spiritual struggle of a young Scottish priest, better than the movie which I enjoyed. Father Chisholm engages in conflict with the church hierarchy while enduring danger at a remote Chinese mission. Only his faith and his heart carry him through to old age.

This is the story of a humble man whose faith and simplicity touch the lives of those around him. I loved it as a child. On re-reading it as an adult though, I realized that much of the book is devoted to heaping tons of gratuitous abuse on the main character. While I enjoyed seeing him persevere through all his trials, I was also finally old enough to realize that abuse of that nature is more likely to lead to post-traumatic stress disorder rather than saintly piety. So, a good story, but perhaps not a true one.

The Keys of the Kingdom. A. J. Cronin. 1941. The first Cronin book I remember reading was The Citadel. It was also the first paperback book I brought off the paperback bookrack in the library of Tuscaloosa High School, and I spent many study hall hours at that bookrack! It is a beautiful story of a modest, unassuming man who spent 35 years in China in the early part of the last century. The book is peopled with church men of all types, nuns, mean relatives and lots of interesting Chinese people. I planned to take my time with this books since I stayed until all hours of the night reading the last few books, but alas, this book was also exciting and I ended up finishing it after midnight Sunday! Gregory Peck played the priest in the show more movie which received several Oscar nominations. It is already on my Netflicks list. show less

Here is a story of a Catholic priest, Francis Chisholm, whose life story is laid before you. Starting with his earliest years of losing both of his parents and being raised by a selfish relative. Eventually being rescued by another beloved Aunt Poly, he becomes a priest in China. What follows is the horrific circumstance he finds himself and must suffer through, including the plague and warring warlords. Prior to going to China the understanding Bishop summarized his feeling toward Francis.
“And now you are discovering how terribly human we are. Yes, it’s unholy that your ‘rebellious nature’ should fill me with joy, but I find it a wonderful antidote to the monotonous piety I am subjected to. You are the stray cat, Francis, who show more comes stalking up the aisle when everyone is yawning their head off at a dull sermon. That’s not a bad metaphor—for you are in the church even if you don’t match up with those who find it all by the well-known rule. I am not flattering myself, when I say that I am probably the only cleric in this diocese who really understands you. It’s fortunate I am now your bishop.”
“I know that, Your Grace.”
“To me,” His Lordship meditated, “you are not a failure, but a howling success. You can do with a little cheering up—so I’ll risk giving you a swelled head. You’ve got inquisitiveness and tenderness. You’re sensible of the distinction between thinking and doubting. You’re not one of our ecclesiastical milliners who must have everything stitched up in neat little packets—convenient for handing out. And quite the nicest thing about you, my dear boy, is this—you haven’t got that bumptious security that springs from dogma rather than from faith.”

This is a book to read and enjoy and learn from the good father. show less

A wonderful heroic story from a gifted, knowledgeable author. This was personally recommended by one of my high school teachers, and I was reluctant to read it because tales of priests and missionaries just had to be dull. I learned that Cronin’s books of priests and doctors are far from dull. While this story involves the professional religious, it is just as political as spiritual, and very much a heroic adventure on a very human scale.

This is one of the best books ever written about the Catholic priesthood. Though written over fifty years ago it is very modern. Francis Chisholm keeps the faith despite encountering just about every type of worldly, pompous or just downright mean priest he is forced to work under. The movie version, staring Gregory Peck (Nominated for 4 Oscars 1944) is very good but gives a disproportionate amount of time to the mission to China. The first half of the book tells the story of Francis’ life up until he goes to China. Highly recommended and kudos to Loyola for bringing it to the attention of another generation of readers.

The story of a Scottish Catholic missionary's unorthodox success in China. This is my favorite of Cronin's novels. I cried at the end. I love books that can provoke any emotion that strong.