Father Nazario Zajarín leads a life of uncompromised humility, loving others and living among the poorest citizens. Life changes for the pious protagonist when his forgiveness extends to sinners that pull Nazarín over to the other side of the law in the eyes of society. Scorned, mocked, and spurned by others, his faith is tested and his bond with the Catholic Church is broken when he rejects political dogma. A tightly written story about living in the trenches of society's shortcomings, the book is an insightful challenge of religion under late 19th-century Spanish rule worthy of inclusion in moral discussions still today.