The Inquisitor's Diary

by Jeffrey Lewis

Set in Mexico City in 1649, when the Spanish Inquisition holds sway, The Inquisitor’s Diary takes the form of the diary of Fray Alonso, the most zealous advocate of their mission, as he struggles to win promotion in the church. Outmaneuvered by his rivals, he is dispatched on a seemingly futile journey to the north, where he unexpectedly befriends a captured heretic—a Marrano, or crypto-Jew—and finds himself questioning all he believes in. Thought-provoking and philosophical, this novel brings the Inquisition to troubling life, with all its moral darkness and complexity.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 2013

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ever since Dostoevsky writers have loved to turn to the Inquisition as a way of examining belief and doubt, that is certainly what Jeffrey Lewis attempts, but his is not a particularly example of the genre because Mr. Lewis doesn't even begin to understand, never mind present, what it might mean to believe things alien to what a well intentioned twentieth century American might believe. He puts all the right words and beliefs into the mouth of his inquisitor Fray Alonso but he then allows him to be disturbed by the sort of things that would disturbed Mr. Lewis or his readers. What he doesn't understand is that if you believe fervently in something, it doesn't matter if it is the Catholic Church or the Communist party (see 'Darkness at Noon' by Arthur Koestler), disillusionment, loss of faith is complex matter and will not come from simply becoming aware of failures in those who carry out the work of whatever ideology you have placed belief in. Men like Fray Alonso were trained not simply in what to believe but in challenges to belief. Indeed challenges to your faith are expected, indeed are essential to belief.

The result is a novel that aims for significance but doesn't even manage to be even interesting. It is banal, ponderous and in parts he conjures up all sorts of idiocies such as when his dumb accused 'speaks' with a voice only Fray Alonso can hear. This is called having your cake and eating it and it just won't do.

Although this novel is 160 pages I struggled to finish it as the improbables, the silly and the cliches piled up relentlessly. There is nothing worse than pretentious twaddle and this novel is a monument to pretentious twaddle.

Avoid like the plague.

[Jimena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly hooked with the story written in the form of a 17-Century friar in Colonial Mexico and which had to do with a little known historical episode: that of the hunt of secret Jews or marranos.
Read my full review on my blog Literati (http://jimenagorraez.wordpress.com/)

[Howard Chesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the first Jeffrey Lewis book for me, but the most satisfying and unexpected. Lewis puts himself neatly into the head of a seventeenth century Spanish cleric's mind as he travels in Mexico seeking out heretics for burning. I thought of Michael Tolkin channeling St. Augustine. Not at all dry and full of interesting details and delicious ironies.

[Jennifer]

I found this book to be very interesting. I enjoyed the author's style of writing. I could picture the main character Fray Alonso writing in his journal. The struggle he goes through coming to terms with his own faith, and the denial he overcomes in helping Felicia escape is eye opening. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, or anyone looking for a good book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story of a victim of the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico. A poignant reminder that there are those who would join church and state in this country and gladly witness the devolution of such a marriage to the 17th century inquisition in Mexico.

[Edu Arrubia sottile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief and wonderful! Nice story showing the deepest things of modern paradigms!

[DB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book during travels in a Jersusalem English used bookstore. I really enjoyed the suspense and unexpected twists and turns in this novel. I found it very interesting to hear the story from the perspective chosen by the author. I can't recall reading many other historical fictions about the inquisition but I would very much recommend this one to others.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

The inquisition in Mexico City - papists so consumed with power and faith that they destroy absolutely. This, a mysterious dialogue between a priest with some doubts, a mute Native and a voice from heaven.

[Irma Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rate this book a 2.7/5. The ending of this book is great. Which is something I almost never say about a book, but the rest of the story to be honest bored me half to death.