Earthly Powers

Main Characters and Their Development

• Kenneth Toomey — a writer whose life and career unfold against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the 20th century. His wit and sarcasm hide inner doubts and a search for meaning, and his homosexuality becomes a source of both inspiration and tragedy.
• Don Carlo Campanati — a charismatic priest whose faith and ambitions lead him to the heights of the church hierarchy. His journey from a simple priest to a cardinal and ultimately the Pope reflects the complex relationship between religion and power.
• Philip Toomey — Kenneth's brother, whose life and death have a profound impact on the main character. His tragic fate and enigmatic personality become a symbol of lost opportunities and unresolved conflicts.
• Julia Toomey — Philip's wife, whose devotion and resilience contrast with inner contradictions and hidden passions. Her relationships with Kenneth and Carlo add depth and complexity to their story.