In medieval England, Jocelin, the dean of a cathedral, becomes obsessed with building a great spire on top of his church. He believes it is his divine calling, and he pushes aside doubts from the master builder, who warns that the foundations cannot bear such weight. As work proceeds, the structure strains and so do the lives of those around him. Golding tells the story in close, vivid prose that mirrors Jocelin's growing fervour. The novel is a powerful study of ambition, faith and self-deception, and is often counted among his finest works.