8 DECEMBER 1979, page 24

Turbulent Priest

A.N. Wilson Ahead of his Age: Bishop Barnes of Birmingham John Barnes (Collins 2.95) Mr Prendergast's return to clerical life from his exile as an assistant master at Llanabba......

Sad Parable

Paul Ableman Sleepless Days Jurek Becker (Secker £4.95) Some months ago, reviewing Arno Schmidt's The Egghead Republic, I asked rhetorically: which is the more bleakly unfunny,......