This book centers on the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition... The Church teaches that knowledge is of the Devil and guards against learning, citing Scripture as proof. Richard, a serf, manages to buy his freedom and sets out on the road to self-discovery. The novel's two priests are diametric opposites: Father Daoul is caring and good; Father Luce is evil, fanatical and corrupt. Richard falls in love but the woman is impregnated by Father Luce who murders her when she becomes pregnant... He is befriended by the Jewish doctor of the local baron whose wife seduces Richard. On charges of associating with Jews, Richard is sent to the Inquisition. He dreamily retains hope in a loving Jesus even as his earnest torturers declare their devotion to Christ by practicing sadistic torture. --