The Shoes of the Fisherman Author:Morris West A pope has died, and the corridors of the Vatican hum with intrigue as cardinals from all over the world gather to choose his successor. Suddenly, the election is concluded with a surprise result. The new pope is the youngest cardinal of all - and a Russian. Shoes of the Fisherman slowly unravels the heartwarming and profound story of Kiril Lako... more »ta, a cardinal who reluctantly steps out from behind the Iron Curtain to lead the Catholic Church and to grapple with the many issues facing the contemporary world. This is a reissue of a firm favorite, of which millions of copies have been sold worldwide. The 1968 film based on the book won best film at the National Board Review and was Golden Globe and Oscar nominated.« less
I first read this in high school and then in aduldhood. It remains one of my favorite books. Clowns of God builds on this book and is even better, if possible. West questioned the Catholic Church long before Brown did in The Da Vinci Code.