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.