The Damnation of Theron Ware

Set in the late 19th century, the story follows Theron Ware, a young Methodist minister who grapples with his faith and the constraints of his small-town life. As he encounters new ideas and people, including an artist and a strong-willed woman, Theron becomes increasingly disillusioned with his religious upbringing. The novel explores themes of ambition, societal expectations, and the struggle between faith and doubt, ultimately leading to a profound personal crisis for its protagonist.