There Was an Ancient House — Benedict Kiely

Within the walls of the ancient house, thirty novices try hard to conform to the religious life. Frawley, boisterous and unconventional; Barragry, the cynical journalist who has left behind a full life and a good woman; MacKenna, sensitive and literary, guarding a frightening secret which he dreads revealing to the Fathers-each must answer that overwhelming question: "Why the hell am I here?"

Once banned for being "indecent and obscene," There Was an Ancient House is richly evocative, blending sly humor, ruthlessly honest portrayals of human struggle, and a master storyteller's dazzling feel for language.