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47th out of 200 books
—
534 voters
The Keys of the Kingdom
by
A.J. Cronin,
Joseph Bottum , Amy Welborn (Goodreads Author)
A magnificent story of the great adventure of individual goodness.”
—The New York Times Book Review
“Cronin is a first-rate literary craftsman with an honest love of simple humanity.”
—Time magazine
“Full of life and people and color.”
—Harper’s Magazine
Francis Chisholm is a compassionate and humble priest whose individuality and directness make him unpopular with othe...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
August 1st 2006
by Loyola Classics
(first published 1941)
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I read this book at 14 so here's my memory:
A romantic view of a dedicated man who surrenders everything to serve God (and later be well-played by Gregory Peck). He goes to China, and is beloved by all but the Mother Superior with whom he serves God. But in the end she has to respect his dedication and integrity. He is intellectually gifted but sometimes pragmatically challenged & quirky and although he inadvertently flies in the face of Catholic authorities because of his true holiness they...more
A romantic view of a dedicated man who surrenders everything to serve God (and later be well-played by Gregory Peck). He goes to China, and is beloved by all but the Mother Superior with whom he serves God. But in the end she has to respect his dedication and integrity. He is intellectually gifted but sometimes pragmatically challenged & quirky and although he inadvertently flies in the face of Catholic authorities because of his true holiness they...more
A colleague and friend recently reminded me of the movie of this book in 1944 that starred Gregory Peck. It got me to thinking that it has been easily forty years since I read any A.J. Cronin.
Loyola Press is to be commended for including this novel by A.J. Cronin in its list of Loyola Classics. Cronin (1896-1981) is sadly forgotten today, but I recall in my youth the buzz at my local public library whenever a new book by Cronin appeared.
Three of his better novels, Keys of the Kingdom, The Stars...more
Loyola Press is to be commended for including this novel by A.J. Cronin in its list of Loyola Classics. Cronin (1896-1981) is sadly forgotten today, but I recall in my youth the buzz at my local public library whenever a new book by Cronin appeared.
Three of his better novels, Keys of the Kingdom, The Stars...more
I LOVED this book.. one of my favorite teachers recommended it for me when we were discussing the Catholic church. I was then required to write an analysis of the novel for extra credit.
Alex, a fanatic of violence and classical music, is the beau ideal of anarchy. He lives up to his name (A-Lex, or “without law) by asserting his power over his three “droogs” and leading them into acts of violence, theft and molestation. His vocabulary, built out of broken nadsat ,and his love of breasts both ech...more
Alex, a fanatic of violence and classical music, is the beau ideal of anarchy. He lives up to his name (A-Lex, or “without law) by asserting his power over his three “droogs” and leading them into acts of violence, theft and molestation. His vocabulary, built out of broken nadsat ,and his love of breasts both ech...more
I must emotionally feel this is one of the few great novels I have read. This book was written by A.J.Cronin in 1941. It starts with a young priest in the British Isles. His name is Father Francis Chisholm, a Scottish priest who is somewhat unconventional in his methods. If I tried to pick out his methods I would say spreading love, and his desire is to establish a mission in China. As you read through his adventures you see the Chinese people, from the most poor to warlords to the heads of othe...more
The foreword of this book (by Bottum) made me a little sceptical, but I'm glad I read it anyway. Francis Chisholm is a timeless character of faith, compassion, humility, and tolerance. His occasional crises of faith are still relevant and worth pondering. Wonderful scope of ministerial experiences from Scotland and England to China, covering decades. Perhaps the story is a little sentimental and pious, perhaps Anselm Mealy is a little too obviously a foil for Chisholm's devout character, but I c...more
The book was given to me by a colleague as we started on long road trip to Asia. The story and the character Francis Chisholm were a wonderful companion on a trip I've made numerous times in the past. The story ultimately made a tremendous impression and it continues to be one of the most meaningful stories I've read and continues to hold a special place on my favorite books list. The story is so inauspiciously told, Francis is humble, devoted, and courageous in a simple way, with his humanity i...more
Dec 07, 2011
Alicia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Alicia by:
Marilyn Faulkner (in Back to the Best Books)
I loved this book (written in 1941) about a Scottish boy who endures much tragedy during his childhood yet grows up to become a Catholic priest and a missionary in China from 1902 until the 1930's. Father Chisholm is a truly tolerant, courageous and Christlike man who humbly builds up the mission in China, despite famine, plague, and war. This was also made into a Gregory Peck movie in 1944.
Quotes:
"'That is life...to begin again when everything is lost!'" -- p. 219
"...his second thought was that...more
Quotes:
"'That is life...to begin again when everything is lost!'" -- p. 219
"...his second thought was that...more
When you're in 7th grade, this is really good stuff! I read several of his early works then and loved them. But in my 40's, some of his later stuff didn't quite add up to my opinion of his earlier works....as if I thought he'd sold out stylistically and working too hard for marketability and the mesh just didn't work for me.....moralism weakening with hollywood soaps-was it part of his own personal quandary?...not what I'm looking for...
Feb 10, 2013
Kate
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
liturature,
20th-century-fiction
I remember reading this the summer before high school and not understanding a lot of what was going on. But I came away with a general sense of "wow."
Now I think I understand where the "wow" comes from.
I want to say something like, "this is the only serious literary portrayal I've ever come across of the sheer power of humility," but I'm not sure if that's the right way to say it at all. But maybe it's not so bad.
Now I think I understand where the "wow" comes from.
I want to say something like, "this is the only serious literary portrayal I've ever come across of the sheer power of humility," but I'm not sure if that's the right way to say it at all. But maybe it's not so bad.
This is probably the most significant book I've ever read. It has shaped who I am and how I approach life more than any other book. I have a very old copy from my grandmother that I reread whenever I feel the need to do a little soul searching.
The book description doesn't do it justice. I strongly recommend it. It is not, not, not a book that tries to convert you to any particular religious belief (the main character is a priest, but his best friend is an atheist, and the main character is sure...more
The book description doesn't do it justice. I strongly recommend it. It is not, not, not a book that tries to convert you to any particular religious belief (the main character is a priest, but his best friend is an atheist, and the main character is sure...more
4 1/2 stars. Follows the life of a priest in the early 1900's: his up and down saga as he is sent to China to run what he is told is a flourishing mission. What does it truly mean to be a Christian? Has my life had any meaning? Does He approve of me and what I am doing? A great, thought-provoking read. A little slow in the start-up but stick with it and you will enjoy a nice long friendship with Father Chisholm.
Actually 3.5 stars. Liked it enough to get through it. Won't bother to purchase a copy. Won't ever read it again. Won't really recommend it to anyone unless you like books about Catholic priests or China. BUT, the main character is one amazing dude who went through a lot and lived a perfectly Christ-like life. How's that for a review?!
Nov 28, 2012
Giovanna
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
inghilterra,
sfido-me
Eccolo,un altro libro strappalacrime! Commovente,pieno di sani e buoni principi,condanna verso l'ipocrisia,il falso moralismo,l'avidità,l'intolleranza,il razzismo e il fanatismo.Esaltazione del valore sublime dello spirito umano e consapevolezza della sua fragilità.E sopra a tutto la sconfinata fiducia nella inesauribile forza dell'essere umano e l'incrollabile ottimismo in un lieto fine che consola e ripaga la bontà e l'onestà.
Beh,che c'è di male in questo? Nei vecchi romanzi non ci si vergogna...more
Beh,che c'è di male in questo? Nei vecchi romanzi non ci si vergogna...more
We watched the movie a few days ago and then I finished reading the book today. LOVED both the movie and the book!--they are now favorites. Am anxious to read the Citadel (and see the movie) by this same author. This is the 19th book I have read from Marilyn Green Faulkner's 36 Back to the Best Books.
I read this a long time ago and rediscovered this recently. A Catholic priest thinks he has not done anything to really make a difference in the world but the story tells of the things he has done that have changed people's lives. Read it if you are ever feeling discouraged or unappreciated!
I don't know what it was about this book that made it so amazing to me, but something drew me in from the moment I started it and I wasn't able to put it down. There was something about the main character that continually amazed me and made me want to read what would happen next.
AJ Cronin skillfully weaves a story of threads so full of human emotions that it starts looking like a story that could have been played in any culture at any time.
Story of a dedicated priest who choses the order not for the religion but for his faith in the benevolence of God.
Story of a dedicated priest who choses the order not for the religion but for his faith in the benevolence of God.
Aug 05, 2010
Donatella
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Donatella by:
my aunt Olga
Il libro mi è stato regalato da una zia, grande lettrice, che mi "passava" libri ormai vecchi. Questo particolare libro ha poco meno della mia età. E' stato uno dei primi casi in cui consapevolmente ho osservato le differenze tra un testo scritto e la sua riduzione cinematografica.
Reading this for the Elements of Faith book club, as our fiction pick. I'm just in the first few chapters but am enjoying the writing style quite a bit and looking forward to getting past the childhood narrative. I can see from the beginning why those who recommended this said it seemed Dickensian to them.
FINAL
Altogether an enjoyable book which was also an interesting adventure. As Father Francis Chisholm learns how to minister to the Chinese people in a way that they will understand, he also pr...more
FINAL
Altogether an enjoyable book which was also an interesting adventure. As Father Francis Chisholm learns how to minister to the Chinese people in a way that they will understand, he also pr...more
The command of langauge in this book is beautiful. Francis, the main character, is a great example of a humble, compassionate and determined soul. The story line was at times a little predictable and unrealistic (which is not my personal taste), but a great read.
this book taught me about that human value which is most needed today.."kindness".i have always felt that a work of art has to uplift the reader to a higher level of understanding,Cronin's work does it magnificently.He is indeed a first rate writer,pure and original.highly recommend to all book worms.
This is an "everyone read it, please" book. Loved Francis Chisholm, who epitomized everything I would like to be. He was selfless, humble, and true to his faith and his God. This is an amazing story. Now I would like to read some more of his books.
This book profoundly influenced my life. Cronin's tale of persuasion through good example, rather than by preaching or, worse, brute force, has stuck in my mind ever since I first read "The Keys of the Kingdom" as a teenager in the early 1960s.
My dad gave this book to me as a result of finding it on a beach trip. I enjoyed this book even though it was hard to follow at times -- perhaps because I took so long to read it. Regardless, I greatly admired Father Chisolm's perseverance. That is a reminder to me that whenever I'm in dire straits, all I have to do is let God know that I need His help. And who knows? Perhaps someday I'll travel out of this country for missions purposes because I think Cronin, in some ways, has inspired me to do...more
Another book I remembered reading from my grandmother's book shelf. She was a very well-read woman. She belonged to a group - The Philomath Club - that read books and discussed them. And this in a small town of around 2,000 people.
Chisholm is a Catholic priest, but he doesn't just represent a Catholic. He's somebody whom people of any religion (or no religion) can relate to. Somebody who can understand things beyond the bible. Great read.
Set during the turn of the century (late 1800's early 1900's - not our most recent turn :) this is an examination of one Catholic priest's life. His faith, his challenges, his devotion to family and God, his love of the Chinese people he eventually serves for 30+ years, and all that makes him tick.
This is a good book that looks at how we see other people and how religion can influence that vision. I love the discussion that the author has about religion versus faith without actually having the d...more
This is a good book that looks at how we see other people and how religion can influence that vision. I love the discussion that the author has about religion versus faith without actually having the d...more
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. The writing style is engaging; the main character of Father Chisholm is warm and open-minded (far from pious and "perfect"). In fact, most of the characters -- and there are many -- are fully-drawn out by Cronin.
I read this book when I was seventeen. What impressed me the
most at that time and stayed with me for many years, was the main character's utmost dedication to what he truly believed.
most at that time and stayed with me for many years, was the main character's utmost dedication to what he truly believed.
Just get through the beginning of this book, and then you'll have so much to learn from this fictional man! The author did such a good job creating a real man. On a personal note, I really feel like one of the purposes of life is to learn to love and I felt like that was the main character's journey in this book. I also liked the questions of missionary work--"am I doing any good?" "How can I measure my success?" "Does He approve of me?" Those are such real questions when you're trying to be a t...more
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Archibald Joseph Cronin was a Scottish novelist, dramatist, and non-fiction writer who was one of the most renowned storytellers of the twentieth century. His best-known works are The Citadel and The Keys of the Kingdom, both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films. He also created the Dr. Finlay character, the hero of a series of stories that served as the basis for the long-running BBC tel...more
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“Hell is that state where one has ceased to hope.”
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“Religions are many, reason is one, we are all brothers.”
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Jan 19, 2011 06:39am