In which a young theological graduate, Frank Shallard, embarks on his first pastoral duties feeling beset by doubts about the efficacy and sincerity of the ministry, yet finds solace and guidance in the steady presence of the gentle and mystic Methodist Reverend Pengilly. As Frank wrestles with his conscience and the skepticism of working-class townsfolk, he is drawn into a circle of liberal thinkers and encounters the brash confidence of Elmer Gantry, setting him on a wavering path between faith and self-doubt.

In which a charismatic evangelist’s accidental gift for healing draws crowds and finance, prompting grandiose plans for a seaside tabernacle and crusade, while tensions and affections entwine quietly behind the scenes. The stage is set for a dramatic opening filled with fervour, music, and an ominous fire that tests faith and reveals the fragile nature of human endeavour.

In which Mrs. Evans Riddle presides over a thriving New Thought centre, blending mysticism and self-help with a sharp eye for profit, while the Reverend Elmer Gantry flounders in his evangelical career and tentatively steps into her curious realm of spiritual commerce. Battling loneliness and financial hardship, Gantry experiments with his own Prosperity Classes, navigating the curious intersections of faith, ambition, and human folly with a restless, somewhat rueful spirit.

In which Elmer Gantry and Sharon Falconer navigate the complexities and contradictions of life on the evangelistic road, balancing devotion and ambition amid the lively, sometimes chaotic company of their troupe. Their conversations with fellow preachers, disputes over methods, and spirited plans reveal a world of earnest faith tempered by the practicalities and peccadilloes of their calling.

In which we witness Elmer Gantry’s bustling apprenticeship to the charismatic evangelist Sharon Falconer, as they pioneer the grand and theatrical revival meetings that stretch across towns and cities, weaving sermons and spectacles with the intricacies of committee politics and skilful fundraising. Amid the whirlwind of passionate oratory, strategic manoeuvres, and the assembly of an impulsive yet devoted troupe, the reader is given a vivid glimpse into the machinery behind the fervour and pageantry of evangelical crusades.

In which a scholarly and restless cleric named Cecil Aylston journeys through various religious affiliations and wanderings before becoming the devoted yet imposing first assistant to the fervent evangelist Sharon Falconer. Meanwhile, Elmer Gantry arrives in Lincoln to join Sharon's campaign, where he first contends with the different preaching styles of Cecil and then delivers a stirring speech that sways the hearts of business men, all under the watchful, enigmatic presence of Sharon herself.

In which a revivalist named Sharon Falconer and a newly converted salesman, Elmer Gantry, share moments of intimacy and reflection amid the faded grandeur of a Virginian estate, where illusions of heritage and destiny mingle with earnest confessions and spiritual seeking. Their uneasy yet tender companionship unfolds through candid talk, playful rivalry, and a peculiar chapel filled with exotic idols, revealing the complex dance of faith and ambition beneath their outward devotion.

In which a charming but restless young salesman named Elmer Gantry, haunted by his past as a seminarian and preacher, drifts through the evangelical heartland, captivated by the fiery magnetism of the striking woman evangelist Sharon Falconer and his own ambition to reclaim his pulpit power. Amidst the humble church tents and provincial towns, Elmer plots a dazzling re-entrance into the ministry, blending zeal with a keen eye for opportunity and a dash of theatrical flamboyance.

In which Elmer Gantry departs the stifling familiarity of Babylon and tumbles headlong into the raucous life of Monarch, where he mingles with lively salesmen and contends with his own temptations and ambitions. In a swirl of camaraderie and farce, his clerical aspirations falter, leaving him to reconsider his path amid the boisterous hum of a modern city’s vices and virtues.

In which Elmer Gantry’s fire and zeal meet the complicated realities of young love and small-town expectations, setting aflame passions and suspicions alike amid the piety of Schoenheim. Amidst hand-cars and hushes, misunderstandings and solemn threats, love’s tender entanglements take on a more troublesome hue under watchful eyes and unforgiving standards.