Kenneth Marchal Toomey

Kenneth Marchal Toomey is the main character in Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess. Toomey is a well known and lauded playwright and author although he is admittedly mediocre and often writes what the public demands without little regard to his own desires.

Toomey is raised in a Catholic home with two parents, a dentist and homemaker. His younger sister, Hortense, becomes a world renowned sculptor; his younger brother Tommy, becomes an actor and comedian.

Toomey struggles greatly with his homosexuality and how it wars with his values and the values of the Church. Although Toomey accepts his orientation, the Church does not, and it causes a great deal of doubt, trouble and pain for the writer. Toomey seeks advice from several church officials throughout the book, none of which is sympathetic or very helpful.

Toomey spends his life involved with a series of men who are...