Provocative and funny at times.

Regular readers of Lodge's fiction may find this a little unusual. There are many of his usual comic devices and delightful surprises. Yet, there is an anger That I have not seen in his other writings. Anger at God and religious institutions - most notably the Roman Catholic Church. In one chapter a pile of sludge above a mining village soaks with rain and finally cascades over a school full of children. If it had come a half hour later the school would have been empty. The bodies are dug out over the next few days. In the same chapter a baby is born with Downs Syndrome. Lodge ends the chapter by pointing out to the reader did he Never Said This was going to be a comedy.

The novel traces the lives of a group of Roman Catholic University Students in England, together with Their priest. It follows them through middle age. Detailing doubts about Their Church and her authority in areas of sex (including homosexuality) and family relations. The major problem running through most of Their Lives Being contraception and the fear of unwanted pregnancy.

I very much enjoyed the book. Those who dislike black comedy and anti-fiction may disagree. While not raised a Catholic, my own rigid Protestant upbringing led to questioning That is similar to what I found here. Some fundamental questions come up in this story - presented in clear, very readable text.