The Tiber Was Silver — Michael Novak

This reprint of Michael Novak's first novel is an intriguing story about a young man preparing for priesthood in Rome and studying theology at the Gregorianum, and his struggles with whether he is truly called to the priesthood. It takes place in the 1950's, a time of the Hungarian Revolution, the launching of the Sputnik, when Kennedy succeeded Eisenhower, just before Pope John XXIII would take the place of Pope Pius XII, and when there were evident stirrings within the Church that would ultimately result in Vatican II. The Tiber Was Silver provides a unique view of the pre-conciliar Church through the eyes of a young seminarian and draws the reader into his momentous decision.