The Judas Cloth

1878: Pope Pius IX dies, after a misguided papacy that has stamped out liberalism, centralized papal power and witnessed the Pope's declaration of Infallibility. The Judas Cloth is told from the standpoint of Pius's son Nicola Santi, an orphan unaware of his scandalous paternity, who becomes a priest intent on honest and compassionate service, only to suffer disillusion. 'A wonderful basilica of a novel.' Independent 'An astonishing achievement.' Irish Times 'Rich in bizarre theatre... unabashed period drama, gorgeous and sinister grand guignol.' Sunday Times 'O'Faolain gently but unmistakably draws parallels with today's church... I hope his holiness reads it.' Telegraph

Julia O'Faolain was born in London in 1932. Her novel No Country for Young Men was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. She was brought up in Cork and Dublin, educated in Paris and Rome and married an American historian in Florence. She lived for many years in the US, and now lives in London.