From one of the most distinguished living

authors a taut, vivid novel notable for its

thrilling plot. its unwavering suspense,and

its moral subtlety.

ln an unnamed Eastern European

countrv--Poland, perhaps?-a prince of

the church. Cardinal Stephan Bem,has

maintained a perilous balance for several

years between the exigencies of a secular

totalitarian regime and a fanatical

minority on the far right among his own

church leaders. Then one summer night an

unsuccessful attempt is made upon his life,

Whv? Hours later, against his will. he is

spirited away by the security police to a

" safe" hiding place, cut off from the worhl.

He has become their prisoner. Why? At the

first unguarded moment he chooses to th e.

The cardinal goes underground. During

the next few days andnights, disguised and

unshaven, a fugitive from respectability, he

Inoves anlong the people from whom he

had been so much removed in his official

position, drawing closer to the ever more

urgent question:why?

In its answer lies the fale o1 Cardinal

Bem. a good man born into dark limes.

exceptional in the dangerous circum-

stances of his life, recognizable and univer-

sal in his all-too-human stumbling to yard

the light.

For sheer readability. excitement, and

shock, this novel by the author of COld

Heaven and Black Robe must rank as one of

his best.