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Torquemada: A Novel
Bestselling author Howard Fast’s suspenseful historical drama of the Spanish Inquisition brings to life the notorious Grand Inquisitor Thomas de Torquemada and his terrifying quest to purge Spain of heretics
Bestselling author Howard Fast’s 1966 novelization of the Spanish Inquisition, Torquemada , is a terrifying drama about one of history’s most notorious individuals. Prior Thomas de Torquemada and Don Alvaro de Rafel, a Spanish knight, have been friends for many years. But when Torquemada is named Spain’s Grand Inquisitor by King Ferdinand and begins to hear whispers that Alvaro may have a secret Jewish past, he transforms from Alvaro’s old friend into a menacing new enemy.Inspired by Fast’s experiences being investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee, and his subsequent jailing and blacklisting, Torquemada is a thrilling historical tale from a master of the genre. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Howard Fast including rare photos from the author’s estate.
Bestselling author Howard Fast’s 1966 novelization of the Spanish Inquisition, Torquemada , is a terrifying drama about one of history’s most notorious individuals. Prior Thomas de Torquemada and Don Alvaro de Rafel, a Spanish knight, have been friends for many years. But when Torquemada is named Spain’s Grand Inquisitor by King Ferdinand and begins to hear whispers that Alvaro may have a secret Jewish past, he transforms from Alvaro’s old friend into a menacing new enemy.Inspired by Fast’s experiences being investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee, and his subsequent jailing and blacklisting, Torquemada is a thrilling historical tale from a master of the genre. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Howard Fast including rare photos from the author’s estate.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1966
About the author
Howard Fast
317 books257 followersHoward Fast was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. The son of immigrants, Fast grew up in New York City and published his first novel upon finishing high school in 1933. In 1950, his refusal to provide the United States Congress with a list of possible Communist associates earned him a three-month prison sentence. During his incarceration, Fast wrote one of his best-known novels, Spartacus (1951). Throughout his long career, Fast matched his commitment to championing social justice in his writing with a deft, lively storytelling style.
Pseudonyms: Walter Ericson, E.V. Cunningham
Pseudonyms: Walter Ericson, E.V. Cunningham
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 16, 2018
QUICK, EASY AND ENTERTAINING.
“Our Lord hung from a stake. A stake will free you of your heresy. The purification of flames will be wrapped around you like a cloak – a cloak of love and thoughtfulness—” (Kindle Locations 1190-1191).
His Goodreads bio says that, “Howard Fast (1914–2003) was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays.” I spent more that 70% of the best reading years of my life in the twentieth century. How come I’d never heard of him before now?
Kudos, perhaps, to the House Un-American Activities Committee of mid-century, and its very own Grand Inquisitor, Joseph R. McCarthy?
Fast’s novel, Torquemada, celebrates one of my all-time favorite extraordinary popular delusions, the Spanish Inquisition; and one of its greatest heroes, Tomás de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor. Talk about cruelty, summary capital punishment, and property forfeiture laws; the Catholic Church of Spain had those things nailed centuries before the Puritans of Salem took up the banner.
Recommendation: Highly recommended to freethinkers and other fools. But for the excessive (88 times in 156 pages) use of two words “and then”—a lousy segue in the best of stories—this was an unequivocal five-star read.
“As I came into this world, so do I go out of it with all that I own surrendered to the King and the Inquisition.” (Kindle Locations 1244-1245).
Open Road Media. Kindle Edition, 1905 Kindle Locations, 156 pages.
“Our Lord hung from a stake. A stake will free you of your heresy. The purification of flames will be wrapped around you like a cloak – a cloak of love and thoughtfulness—” (Kindle Locations 1190-1191).
His Goodreads bio says that, “Howard Fast (1914–2003) was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays.” I spent more that 70% of the best reading years of my life in the twentieth century. How come I’d never heard of him before now?
Kudos, perhaps, to the House Un-American Activities Committee of mid-century, and its very own Grand Inquisitor, Joseph R. McCarthy?
Fast’s novel, Torquemada, celebrates one of my all-time favorite extraordinary popular delusions, the Spanish Inquisition; and one of its greatest heroes, Tomás de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor. Talk about cruelty, summary capital punishment, and property forfeiture laws; the Catholic Church of Spain had those things nailed centuries before the Puritans of Salem took up the banner.
Recommendation: Highly recommended to freethinkers and other fools. But for the excessive (88 times in 156 pages) use of two words “and then”—a lousy segue in the best of stories—this was an unequivocal five-star read.
“As I came into this world, so do I go out of it with all that I own surrendered to the King and the Inquisition.” (Kindle Locations 1244-1245).
Open Road Media. Kindle Edition, 1905 Kindle Locations, 156 pages.
January 27, 2023
Очень странно, что рейтинг книги около 3,5, даже не дотягивает до твердой 4. Я, с уверенностью, поставил произведению 5 звезд. Книга написана легко но имеет скрытый смысл. Оставляет задуматься о человеческой природе, акцентуации характеров. Тут даже не религия на первом месте, как может показаться изначально.
Знакомство с автором было давно запланировано. Отец писателя родом из Российской империи, мать англичанка. Жаль, что на русский язык из его творчества не так много переведено.
Книга по объему скромная, но содержание превосходно. Навеяло воспоминание о книге другого автора - Роберта Менассе "Изгнание из ада".
Знакомство с автором было давно запланировано. Отец писателя родом из Российской империи, мать англичанка. Жаль, что на русский язык из его творчества не так много переведено.
Книга по объему скромная, но содержание превосходно. Навеяло воспоминание о книге другого автора - Роберта Менассе "Изгнание из ада".
September 20, 2015
This book is easy to read, but far from light. I came across it whilst researching the Spanish Inquisition and the historical figure of Torquemada. A semi-fictitious account of what this character might have been like as a person and how his friends might have viewed him was a pleasant change from the dry historical facts.
At the beginning of the story Torquemada is a beloved friend and trusted clergyman, but soon develops into a much more sinister character, obsessed with the persecution of those who do not conform to his version of Christianity, disregarding former friendships and setting members of the same family against each other.
It is quite a short novel, set at the beginning of the Inquisition, but I would quite happily have read more to find out how things progressed. However, I suppose the main focus was Torquemada's relationship with Don Alvaro and his family, and the book ends as this particular storyline comes to a natural conclusion.
At the beginning of the story Torquemada is a beloved friend and trusted clergyman, but soon develops into a much more sinister character, obsessed with the persecution of those who do not conform to his version of Christianity, disregarding former friendships and setting members of the same family against each other.
It is quite a short novel, set at the beginning of the Inquisition, but I would quite happily have read more to find out how things progressed. However, I suppose the main focus was Torquemada's relationship with Don Alvaro and his family, and the book ends as this particular storyline comes to a natural conclusion.
July 14, 2017
"Rights, wrongs, you have a desperate need to think legalistically, haven't you Don Alvero? But it is power that counts. He talks, he preaches. He calls for a punishment upon a pestilence. He is a righteous man, your Torquemada , and out of his righteousness he states what God wills. That is the curse of righteous men. They talk with God's voice and Torquemada convinces so many people that it is God's will that the synagogue be burnt to ground".
The passage as that of the book is a metaphor. Through the vile times and darker characters, Howard Fast is not only drawing a parallel to the darker time he faced, but also builds a picture of darker times anywhere and any time. This is not of the evils of extreme fundamentalism of Christianity but of extremism born out of fundamentalism of any organized religion or philosophy. It forces one to come in term with perils of self righteous people who fuel this extremism and hatred across the spectrum of left and right.
A fast read by size but not by content. Leaves a lasting impact on ones conscience and thought long after the book is completed.
The passage as that of the book is a metaphor. Through the vile times and darker characters, Howard Fast is not only drawing a parallel to the darker time he faced, but also builds a picture of darker times anywhere and any time. This is not of the evils of extreme fundamentalism of Christianity but of extremism born out of fundamentalism of any organized religion or philosophy. It forces one to come in term with perils of self righteous people who fuel this extremism and hatred across the spectrum of left and right.
A fast read by size but not by content. Leaves a lasting impact on ones conscience and thought long after the book is completed.
November 23, 2017
This book about the inquisition shows how a religious fervor taken to extreme took priority over long time personal relationships. This book does describe torture but it focuses on the victim's experience rather than the violent acts. The ending is bittersweet as the protagonist does not die but others close to him do.
July 27, 2017
A short, but insightful glimpse at the Spanish Inquisition's misquided, senseless and horrific slaughter of all who were perceived to be heretical to Christianity; namely, any with Jewish or Moorish blood or ties. Well written.
February 5, 2018
I thought I would learn about the Spanish Inquisition and Torquemada from this book. I felt I learned very little. Maybe you will feel differently. Enjoy!
February 21, 2021
Very interesting take on the inquisition. It is really a debate of reason over the real reasons for the inquisition. Well written.
August 9, 2025
This is awful. The characters are wooden. The plot is boring. The ending is indicative of an unfinished book. The author knew this was crap and pulled the plug. Not recommended.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews