There is definitely something magnetic about a behind-the-scenes view of the Church of England, writes Philippa Boston.

Although still a great national institution, it has taken so many knocks over the last few years that it has all the pull of a disaster area.

One knows one shouldn't look, but then we're all human aren't we? Which leads us neatly into the subject of Michael Arditti's new novel.

Michael Arditti has set Easter, his third novel, in the parish of St Mary-in-the-Vale, Hampstead during Holy Week.

It begins with Palm Sunday, introducing a large number of characters within the first, few pages.

This can be confusing and I certainly needed to refer to the "dramatis personae" at the front of the book. But the characters were nonetheless convincing and compelling. Indeed, I was impressed by how instantaneously I was taken in by the stream of Hampstead dwellers, their friends and relations.

Through the procession, service and its aftermath we are drawn in to a plot which will explore the Church of England at this crucial time in its history, incorporating most of the major social issues of today.

Using the services of Holy Week as the structure from which to hang the plot, Arditti shocks and entertains by turn, throwing up race and gay issues, Aids, the Queen, the unmoveable snobbery of the English upper classes - and of those who aspire to the upper classes - somehow managing to maintain our concentration and enjoyment along the way.

Arditti is an artful and accomplished writer who feels very at home with his medium.

This ease of technique allows him to explore the greater issues of good, evil and belief without self-consciouness.

Easter is a very powerful and frank exploration of the way we live our lives in the society of today.

It is also a very enjoyable novel which I would recommend to a wide spectrum of readers.

**Easter by Michael Arditti (Arcadia, 11.99)

**This article first appeared in The Oxford Times Weekend section on May 5