The Purple Robe

I'm always amazed at how colorful Joseph Hocking's characters are. The main antagonist, Father Ritzoom, is actually the most colorful...he is a man of vision, and unscrupulous in his battle to gain what he views as the best end, which is conformity to Catholic faith. When the local confessor summons Ritzoom (who also appears in a couple of Hocking's other works, such as “The Scarlet Woman”) to take a hand in his debates against the young local preacher, Ritzoom is more than ready to take a hand in the matter and to do his level best to convert the young man.

The suspense of conscience and love that Rutland is thereafter called to endure is nail-biting at times. Sometimes the reading is harsh because of the incredible amount of temptation he endures.

For Catholic readers: be aware that Hocking is not in favor of Catholicism.