The narrative follows the sprawling, decades-long relationship between a celebrated, homosexual novelist and a high-ranking Vatican official as they navigate the moral and political upheavals of the twentieth century. Kenneth Toomey, the aging protagonist, reflects upon his life and his complex connection to Carlo Campanati, a man whose ascent through the Catholic Church hierarchy mirrors the shifting power structures of the modern world. The story operates as a massive, non-linear examination of faith, evil, and the nature of influence, utilizing a first-person confessional framework to bridge the gap between personal experience and global historical events. Toomey must contend with his own identity and the encroaching shadow of the priest's ideological and institutional authority.

Discussion often centers on the sheer scale and intellectual density of the work, which many critics identify as a significant postmodern achievement. Readers frequently highlight the contrast between the protagonist's cynical, worldly perspective and the priest's enigmatic, Faustian ambition. The narrative pacing is noted for its episodic nature, which allows the author to weave personal history into the broader context of global conflict and religious change. Critics often emphasize the book's stylistic vitality and its ability to maintain a balance between dark, philosophical inquiry and sharp, comic observation. The work remains a frequent subject of analysis for its ambitious attempt to encapsulate the spirit of the twentieth century through the lens of two opposing lives.