Earthly Powers

Interesting Facts

• The novel begins with one of the most famous opening lines in literature: "It was the greatest day of my life when the Pope asked me to check a miracle."
• The main character, Kenneth Toomey, is a writer and an openly homosexual man, which was a bold move for the time in which the novel is set.
• The plot spans over eighty years, starting from the early 20th century and ending in the 1970s, providing the reader with a panorama of historical events.
• Burgess uses numerous literary allusions and references, creating a rich texture of the narrative.
• The novel explores themes of power, morality, and religion, posing complex questions about human nature.
• The book was nominated for the Booker Prize in 1980, attesting to its literary significance.
• Burgess drew inspiration from his own life, including his travels and encounters with notable figures.
• "Earthly Powers" explores the conflict between the spiritual and the worldly, embodied in the fates of the characters.