Council of the Cursed

Council of the Cursed by Peter Tremayne I picked up this novel at the Bookshop in Kinsale, Ireland. This particular historical novel is set in 670 A.D. and is one in a series of novels featuring Sister Fidelma of Cashel, a much more engaging protaganist than Bruno, the main character in Heresy (see previous post). Tremayne seamlessly blends church history (e.g., Pope Vitalian's efforts to impose Rome's authority over disparate western churches) and political intrigue (e.g., among Britons, Angles, Saxons and Celts). I enjoyed the independent attitude and tradition of the early Celtic church that Fidelma and her partner Eadulf represents. At that time the religious, monks, priests and nuns, were allowed to marry. In fact one of conflicts being proposed at the Council of Autun in the book is to have each of the christian churches adhere to a new pledge of celibacy. The Celtic church held women in higher esteem than the Church of Rome. So it was difficult for Bishop Leodagar, representing the church of Rome, who had assembled the church leaders for this Council, to ask Fidelma and Eadulf, because of their reputation as sleuths, to help solve the murder of one of the delegates at the council. Leodagar is forced to give Fidelma, a woman, the right to roam the abbey and to question any of the priests or monks in attendance. Fidelma is pressed into service to solve the mystery so the Council to continue their sessions in order to report the results of their unification back to Rome. There is plenty of historical, political and religious conflict to go along with the whodunit portion of the story. Fidelma's ability to best her opponents, whether in argument, strategy or audacity, makes her a heroine for any age.

Heresy by S. J. Parris

Heresy by S. J. Parris

This was one novel that did not live up to its synopsis or its cover. According to the publisher's description, a fugitive Italian monk, Giordano Bruno, a philosopher and heretical scientist, was excommunicated by the Catholic Church, because he questions the Church's stand on issues that are better defined and explained by science. Plus he was in possession of a banned manuscript, which places him in danger of prosecution by the Inquisition. Bruno, based on a real monk, flees Italy one step ahead of the Inquisition. Once again it sounds great, and apparently this part of the novel is based on real events in Giordano Bruno's life. Bruno flees to England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for a debate at Oxford University, which recently underwent a purge of any Catholic loyalist professors. Most of the sitting professors chose to sign allegiance to the Church of England. Bruno is recruited by Francis Wallsingham (advisor to Queen Elizabeth) to watch members of the faculty for any indication of a Catholic plot to overthrow the monarchy. But his mission is thrown off course by a series of grisly murders. My biggest complaint is not with the plot, which does become a little convoluted, and a bit bizarre at times. Instead my problem is with the main character Bruno. Contrary to how the Washington Post says Parris portrays Bruno as, "sly, agile intelligence", I found him to be somewhat hapless and naive, bumbling from one situation or predicament to another. He even bumbles his debate against the Dean at Oxford University regarding the scientific view on Universe versus the religious view of the universe. Skip this novel and save your time for another historical novel, entitled Council of the Cursed by Peter Tremayne.