The Keys of the Kingdom (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: A. J. Cronin
- First Published: 1941
- Type of Work: Religious idealism
- Time of Work: Late nineteenth century to 1938
- Setting: England and China
- Principal Characters: Francis Chisolm, Anselm Mealey, Bishop Hamish McNabb, Dr. Willie Tulloch, Nora Bannon, Aunt Polly, Mother Maria-Veronica, Andrew, Monsignor Sleeth
- Genres: Long fiction, Impressionistic literature
- Subjects: Suffering, Twentieth century, Psychology or psychologists, Nineteenth century, Missions or missionaries, England or English people, Faith, Ethics, Medicine, Catholics or Catholic Church, Scotland or Scottish people, Work or workers, China or Chinese people, Priests, Toleration
- Locales: England, China, Scotland
The Novel
Utilizing his great narrative powers and ability to show the panoramic side of China, A. J. Cronin offers his view of the fulfilled religious life as exemplified by the mind and heart of Father Francis Chisolm, a Scottish Parish priest who spends the greater part of his life as a missionary in China. The complications in the novel mainly arise for Francis, who, despite his powerful faith, is a self-doubter and a believer in religious toleration.
Cronin begins the novel almost at the very end, when Francis, now an old, worn-out man in his sixties, has returned...
[The entire page is 1976 words long]
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