Publisher's Synopsis
""The Cathedral"" is a gothic novel written by Hugh Walpole. The story is set in a small English town called Polchester, where the cathedral dominates the landscape and the lives of its inhabitants. The novel follows the lives of several characters, including the Dean and his family, the Bishop, the choirboys, and the townspeople. As the story unfolds, a series of mysterious events occur, including the disappearance of a valuable relic from the cathedral and the sudden death of a choirboy. The characters become embroiled in a web of secrets and intrigue, and the tension builds as they try to uncover the truth behind these events. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and morality, as well as the role of religion in society. Walpole's writing is atmospheric and evocative, capturing the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the cathedral and its surroundings. Overall, ""The Cathedral"" is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of gothic fiction and mystery.1922. Walpole wrote horror novels that tended more towards the psychological rather than supernatural, with a brooding underlying mysticism. The Cathedral's protagonists are feuding clergymen at the cathedral in Polchester. The book begins: Adam Brandon was born at Little Empton in Kent in 1839. He was educated at the King's School, Canterbury, and at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1863, he was first curate at St. Martin's, Portsmouth, then Chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester; in the year 1875 he accepted the living of Pomfret in Wiltshire and was there for twelve years. It was in 1887 that he came to our town; he was first Canon and afterwards Archdeacon. Ten years later he had, by personal influence and strength of character, acquired so striking a position amongst us that he was often alluded to as the King of Polchester. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.