Upon the death of Friar Dominic Guzman in Rome in the year 1221, a list of three names is locked away with the depositions attesting to Dominic’s beatification, and a copy is sealed in an icon of the Virgin Mary that is eventually carried to New France. This list is the thread that binds the fates of ordinary people caught up in the grand sweep of historical events. It traces the lives of two 19th-century men across three continents, where each finds himself intertwined with a woman who has been visited by the Virgin Mary.
About how a religious icon carries secrets across centuries, shaping people’s lives without ever challenging the empires carrying it. Basically, it’s the story of faith as historical luggage – always carried, rarely unpacked.
I read a review on this book when it first came out and it said "Makes the Da Vinci Code read like a third grade reader". Very true! This book is only similar in that it is an historical thriller with a religious theme. Other than that it is much better than the Da Vinci Code in my opinion. Great characters and a great story!! Highly recommended read.
Quite enjoyable. Certainly unique. I was really excited to read a novel partly centered in Canadian History as I had just studied that particular time period ( the Rebellions ) and this novel certainly brings them to life
This book spans centuries and continents - Dominican friars, religious fervor, deceit, illicit love and visits from the Virgin Mary. This is much better than the Da Vinci Code!
I have also translated this into the Romanian language - a very hard text, but wonderful in that I have learnt a lot about Canadian and Australian cultures.