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The Heretic
In 1536 it seems the entire known world is changing--strange new lands are discovered and the Reformation is challenging Rome and its power. In England the king's declaration of a new church and dissolution of the monasteries overturns the customs and authorities of centuries. In the new world order, spies abound and no one can be trusted.
To Brother Pacificus of the Abbey of St. Benet's in Norfolk, it looks like his abbey alone will be spared dissolution. But this last Benedictine house is mired in murder and intrigue. Then when Pacificus falls under suspicion, more than his own dark past comes to light, while the body count keeps rising. Pacificus's fate becomes entwined with that of three local children after their parents are arrested for treason and heresy. Protected only by this errant monk, a mysterious leper, and a Dutch eel-catcher, the children must quickly adjust; seeking their own identity, they soon find that neither parents nor protectors are quite what they seem.
Based on historical events, this post-medieval mystery is laced with romance, fueled by greed, and punctuated with bouts of feasting, smuggling, and jailbreak.
To Brother Pacificus of the Abbey of St. Benet's in Norfolk, it looks like his abbey alone will be spared dissolution. But this last Benedictine house is mired in murder and intrigue. Then when Pacificus falls under suspicion, more than his own dark past comes to light, while the body count keeps rising. Pacificus's fate becomes entwined with that of three local children after their parents are arrested for treason and heresy. Protected only by this errant monk, a mysterious leper, and a Dutch eel-catcher, the children must quickly adjust; seeking their own identity, they soon find that neither parents nor protectors are quite what they seem.
Based on historical events, this post-medieval mystery is laced with romance, fueled by greed, and punctuated with bouts of feasting, smuggling, and jailbreak.
608 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 25, 2016
First the cover caught my eye. Then the suspense gripped my attention from the very first page. I do not give out 5-stars lightly, but in a sea of Tudor era novels, The Heretic is in a league of its own.
Brother Pacificus is the ideal protagonist for taking the reader on an unforgettable journey through Tudor England. The quiet monk finds himself in an awkward and unexpected situation as the story begins, when four children become his informal wards. Their parents arrested as heretics during a time when the state of religion is in flux under Henry VIII, these children must determine their own path. With Pacificus and Anabaptist guardians to guide them, they make a life for themselves unlike any they could have imagined.
Pacificus himself has a secret past that plagues him almost as much as his concerns over the debates, arrests, and burnings. He wonders, "Would any man know when he was living in the Last Days? . . . . Old Brother Anselm in the infirmary is unwise to say the usurper Antichrist reigns on the Plantagenet throne." This is just the beginning of his dilemma as Pacificus fights for what is right even as he wonders how to know what is right.
The historical detail is stunning and forms a dramatic backdrop to the story that varies from deep journeys into the Christian thinking of the time to fun adventure, sword fighting, and even murder. To classify this as a mystery is not quite giving it its full due. It is a sweeping epic that comprehensively explores the politics, emotions, and struggles of 1530s England and the tyranny of Henry VIII.
This is no fairy tale. Bad things happen to good people. They even die. Pacificus struggles to make sense of it all and to save those he loves most, even as he tries to tell himself that a monk doesn't feel that kind of love for anyone. He hopes to help save the Church he serves, even as he wonders if it is correct in all its teachings. "Is it overmuch sloth to lamely defer your spiritual and moral opinions to another? Certainly it was easier than thinking for yourself. And is he not pledged in obedience to accept his abbot's good judgment?" He trusts in his own strength, which is formidable, but only finds the answers he has been looking for when he realizes his weakness.
Each character is cleverly developed so that a large cast of characters is as well known as friends. Like friends, we slowly learn more about them and grow in our love for them over time. Amidst the fight for survival and theological questions, there is humor. Pacificus reflects that one fellow monk is "the sort of man who is never so busy that he won't delay you ten minutes telling you how much he has to do." He also reflects that "small talk seems better at this point than knocking his teeth down his throat."
No, Pacificus is not your ordinary monk. In the end, the one thing he decides for sure is that "he has seen the indifference of passivity and the evil that always floods in to fill that vacuum, and he'll not be party to it any more."
This was a brilliant novel that will ensure that I keep an eye out for more from Henry Vyner-Brooks.
Brother Pacificus is the ideal protagonist for taking the reader on an unforgettable journey through Tudor England. The quiet monk finds himself in an awkward and unexpected situation as the story begins, when four children become his informal wards. Their parents arrested as heretics during a time when the state of religion is in flux under Henry VIII, these children must determine their own path. With Pacificus and Anabaptist guardians to guide them, they make a life for themselves unlike any they could have imagined.
Pacificus himself has a secret past that plagues him almost as much as his concerns over the debates, arrests, and burnings. He wonders, "Would any man know when he was living in the Last Days? . . . . Old Brother Anselm in the infirmary is unwise to say the usurper Antichrist reigns on the Plantagenet throne." This is just the beginning of his dilemma as Pacificus fights for what is right even as he wonders how to know what is right.
The historical detail is stunning and forms a dramatic backdrop to the story that varies from deep journeys into the Christian thinking of the time to fun adventure, sword fighting, and even murder. To classify this as a mystery is not quite giving it its full due. It is a sweeping epic that comprehensively explores the politics, emotions, and struggles of 1530s England and the tyranny of Henry VIII.
This is no fairy tale. Bad things happen to good people. They even die. Pacificus struggles to make sense of it all and to save those he loves most, even as he tries to tell himself that a monk doesn't feel that kind of love for anyone. He hopes to help save the Church he serves, even as he wonders if it is correct in all its teachings. "Is it overmuch sloth to lamely defer your spiritual and moral opinions to another? Certainly it was easier than thinking for yourself. And is he not pledged in obedience to accept his abbot's good judgment?" He trusts in his own strength, which is formidable, but only finds the answers he has been looking for when he realizes his weakness.
Each character is cleverly developed so that a large cast of characters is as well known as friends. Like friends, we slowly learn more about them and grow in our love for them over time. Amidst the fight for survival and theological questions, there is humor. Pacificus reflects that one fellow monk is "the sort of man who is never so busy that he won't delay you ten minutes telling you how much he has to do." He also reflects that "small talk seems better at this point than knocking his teeth down his throat."
No, Pacificus is not your ordinary monk. In the end, the one thing he decides for sure is that "he has seen the indifference of passivity and the evil that always floods in to fill that vacuum, and he'll not be party to it any more."
This was a brilliant novel that will ensure that I keep an eye out for more from Henry Vyner-Brooks.
February 26, 2021
This book was daunting at 600+ pp. at first glance when I first opened it. But, I'm glad to say it turned out to be a joy to read; I plunged right into Tudor England [which period I usually avoid] and into the lives and fortunes of the characters. The strands of the story come together: the monk, Pacificus, and his monastery under threat of dissolution, a leper, a family of Anabaptists, and an Anabaptist couple, Dutch eel-catchers, who shelter the children for a time.
Pacificus and the leper, Simon, are former Hospitaller knights who have been disillusioned by their experiences in Rhodes. They aid the family by taking the children to the Dutch couple, who live in marshland near Norfolk. The children's father is killed for his faith and the mother imprisoned for hers. The author covered a great deal: a relic and how solving a riddle revealed its hiding place; the excitement of knightly action, such as the joust; several murders and how they are solved; and the religious component. Usually we read about Catholics and Anglicans in that time period, but this novel involved Anabaptists. No religious discussion felt like proselytizing but expressed the characters' heartfelt feelings and were just part of the story. There was plenty of violence to please action fans.
Various sections stood out for me: Pacificus and his encounter with the bees; the joust before the king and the whole climax of several chapters. I liked the Epilogue: a series of letters from different characters to the others, in which we are told the final destiny of all. I thought of this story as kind of a blend of Ivanhoe, rags-to-riches, and the seeking of each character to follow their conscience. Although long and sprawling, the story was gripping. I understand there will be a "prequel". I'm looking forward to it. Could it be Pacificus's life prior to the monastery--as a knight?
I received this as an ARC from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
Pacificus and the leper, Simon, are former Hospitaller knights who have been disillusioned by their experiences in Rhodes. They aid the family by taking the children to the Dutch couple, who live in marshland near Norfolk. The children's father is killed for his faith and the mother imprisoned for hers. The author covered a great deal: a relic and how solving a riddle revealed its hiding place; the excitement of knightly action, such as the joust; several murders and how they are solved; and the religious component. Usually we read about Catholics and Anglicans in that time period, but this novel involved Anabaptists. No religious discussion felt like proselytizing but expressed the characters' heartfelt feelings and were just part of the story. There was plenty of violence to please action fans.
Various sections stood out for me: Pacificus and his encounter with the bees; the joust before the king and the whole climax of several chapters. I liked the Epilogue: a series of letters from different characters to the others, in which we are told the final destiny of all. I thought of this story as kind of a blend of Ivanhoe, rags-to-riches, and the seeking of each character to follow their conscience. Although long and sprawling, the story was gripping. I understand there will be a "prequel". I'm looking forward to it. Could it be Pacificus's life prior to the monastery--as a knight?
I received this as an ARC from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
December 2, 2014
Source: Free copy from Kregel Publications in exchange for a review.
Summary:
1536-1539, England.
The Heretic follows a four year span in the life of a monk named Pacificus; and during the age of Henry VIII and the Reformation movement in England.
Brother Pacificus holds dearly to his "true" Church. The heretics are the people devoted to the English Bible and the Reformation movement.
The list of characters introduced in The Heretic are lengthy. For example: Henry VIII and his court, the fellow brothers of Pacificus in the abbey, and a family named Fenton. I counted 52 characters that are on the character list.
The story is written in the present first person narrative.
My Thoughts:
I had a difficult time bonding with the story. After reading over 600 pages, I never became invested in the story. I believe it is a variety of reasons, but the main reason is the story does not hold strong to one character. Pacificus is the story's voice. He projects outwardly at what he views. But how he feels, his inner life-I needed more from him in order to become invested in his outcome. Henry VIII seems a backdrop. Henry VIII is a famous/infamous historical character, but he is bland in The Heretic. I really wanted to like The Heretic. The time period is one of my favorites in history. I wonder if the book would be better suited for a series of books. Instead, it is a swirling hive of activity without the ability to create emotion in the reader.
Summary:
1536-1539, England.
The Heretic follows a four year span in the life of a monk named Pacificus; and during the age of Henry VIII and the Reformation movement in England.
Brother Pacificus holds dearly to his "true" Church. The heretics are the people devoted to the English Bible and the Reformation movement.
The list of characters introduced in The Heretic are lengthy. For example: Henry VIII and his court, the fellow brothers of Pacificus in the abbey, and a family named Fenton. I counted 52 characters that are on the character list.
The story is written in the present first person narrative.
My Thoughts:
I had a difficult time bonding with the story. After reading over 600 pages, I never became invested in the story. I believe it is a variety of reasons, but the main reason is the story does not hold strong to one character. Pacificus is the story's voice. He projects outwardly at what he views. But how he feels, his inner life-I needed more from him in order to become invested in his outcome. Henry VIII seems a backdrop. Henry VIII is a famous/infamous historical character, but he is bland in The Heretic. I really wanted to like The Heretic. The time period is one of my favorites in history. I wonder if the book would be better suited for a series of books. Instead, it is a swirling hive of activity without the ability to create emotion in the reader.
October 19, 2015
The Heretic is an interesting book. The story and vivid descriptions help make it stand out.The theme in the book is religious freedom and the difficulties one can encounter. The reader witnesses the struggles the characters go through as they wrestle with their faith. At times death is the option they take.
The book does contain some graphic descriptions and some language but it is not out of line with the story line.
I received this book from bookfun.org and the author in exchange for my honest review.
The book does contain some graphic descriptions and some language but it is not out of line with the story line.
I received this book from bookfun.org and the author in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2014
As it says on the cover: this engrossing story takes the reader into the cauldron of Reformation England, where every choice balances between agonising death and compromised conscience.
October 21, 2019
This book was so out of my usual reading era but I was intrigued by the cover story and the high rating everyone had given it. I was not put off by the amount of pages, in fact I wanted something that I could get my teeth into and stay with for the long haul. Most of my other reads were comprised of several books in the series anyway, so I just figured this was the same except all in one volume. The first one hundred pages were the most boring ever but I was determined not to give up. Surely all these people who had put high reviews knew something I had yet to discover. I purposed to begin again. This time I reread all the cast of characters and inspected the maps of the area being discussed. My understanding of the story began to clear and before I knew it, I was "involved" and it was hard to put down. Some 2:00 and 3:00am hours were logged. If you choose this book to read, you will not be disappointed. In fact, google and do a little research into the lives of the king and it will enlighten your understanding of what was going on at the time. I'm thankful I was not living at that time but if I were, I would have needed a Sir Hugh to help me out. I enjoyed the twists and turns the author takes as he weaves the story line. It isn't a boring book at all, in fact it's very well written. Someone should make it into a movie!
January 17, 2015
What do you get when you take historical events, add some loveable and not so loveable characters, murder and intrigue, as well as romance and a whole lot more? A book you can't put down, even though it is over 600 pages!!
In 1535, The Act of Supremacy is passed where Henry VIII proclaims himself, as well as future heirs, head of the Church of England. The Anglicans have received freedom of religion from the Catholic church, but will not extend this freedom to others, but are instead tracking them down and if they refuse to agree with their views, especially king of England as Lord, then they are burned at the stake or executed in other ways, publicly for utter humiliation but also to discourage others from standing up against them.
The Fenton children, 5 of them, are left orphaned when their parents are arrested on charges of heresy and treason. They are left in the care of Pacificus, a monk whom is not quite what he seems. He is to get the children to the eel catcher, Pieter and his sister Sarah, whom are fellow Anabaptists and live quite aways away in the marsh. In order to do so he engages the aid of Simon, the Leper, another with more to him than meets the eye. Already the intrigue has begun.
Let's not forget the Abbey, the monks and Abbot, to whom Pacificus is his go to guy. While on his way to meet Abbot Rugge he runs into Tom Short whose father runs the stables. In chatting with Pacificus about what makes a knight and hitting too close to his life Pacificus says,
"A knight ought to be fervent in prayer for the love of Jesus Christ, have reverence and devotion towards the church, be humble in himself, have reasonable knowledge, be stable in perseverance and constant in execution, honest in conversation, secret in consultation, discreet in speech, courteous in receiving strangers, liberal in gifts, magnificent and noble in actions, magnanimous in enterprises, continent in purity, abstinent in sobriety, amiable in all good qualities, incomparable in clemency and invincible in patience." pg. 86
Not only a knight, but us as Christians. There are many interesting, thought provoking statements such as this one that make one stop and think. I share another one with you now.
"But these holy days-why deprive the working men of so many? What matter of new world are they thinking to build in, cancelling all but a very few from July to September? And then it comes to him: they-he's even thinking like Rugge now-they hate men's rest. Yes, that's it. They hate it, for a man at rest is a creature of God, not a slave as they are to Mammon. In resting, a man is rest-ored to his creatureliness before God, the Image Dei common to all humanity. God's thumbprint on the human soul, what a defiance of Mammon is that!" pg. 100
And another one, from Elizabeth Fenton, in jail speaking with Pacificus on one of his visits.
"But if I had a disagreement with our sect,' she says, 'it was this way they shunned the whole world; not just its sinful ways but also its art, its literature, its philosophy. As if an un-Christian man--even though he were made in the image of God-could not produce anything worthy to be studied, admired or discussed. By cutting ourselves off from the world, I fear many of our numbers will not be salt in it." pg. 280
This is so not one story, but stories within stories, families reconciled, grace given and received, murders, intrigue, a treasure hunt or two, forgiveness, pasts dealt with, a bishop thinking he had outsmarted God and more.
"Pockington agreed to sell the New Testaments to the bishop for four times the normal rate, and Tunstall agreed, thinking he had God by the toe when he had the devil by the fist. He bought the Bibles and had them burned in Antwerp, not knowing Pockington had these Bibles from Tyndale himself, who welcomed the finance for the revised edition. So the bishop got the old edition, Pockington got the thanks, and Tyndale got the money, with which he was able to finance the printing and distribution of his new edition." pg. 139
Pick up the book today and see for yourself just what an excellent read this is. You will be challenged, entertained and perhaps even curious to check out the accuracy of the historical events included. No matter what the reason, this will be a book you can't put down and when done, will give you much to think about as well make you happy that you took the time to read it.
I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2014
Suspense...intrigue...romance...
This novel by Henry Vyner Brooks is an amazing read! Become engrossed in the story of the lives of the characters in this historical novel as you follow their joys and sorrows chapter after chapter.
The Heretic is set in the time of the Reformation: 1536. Henry VIII is king of England and changes are sweeping over the land. This book begins through the eyes of a man called Pacificus, a monk with a mysterious past which he is trying to forget through peaceful and faithful service to God. To Pacificus' dismay, new laws are being enacted, causing monasteries to be deserted and literally endangering his peaceful existence. Strangely enough, Pacificus becomes intensely entangled in the plight of an Anabaptist family who are condemned to death! Follow as the story unfolds, and the characters become involved in a whirlwind of plot, intrigue and adventure! Most importantly, follow the spiritual life of Pacificus as he realizes he cannot rely on His weak Roman Catholic traditions to save his soul.
When I began this book I was, to be honest, disappointed to see that it is written in first-person tense. I have never done well with that style of writing. However, I could tell that the storyline in this chunky paperback was a real gem, so I enthusiastically read on. From my experience, this is a book the reader must be devoted to, if they want to gain a solid understanding of all the characters and plots in this exciting novel. I had trouble understanding the plots, but upon re-reading the book (yes! a second time!), am understanding everything better. The first two parts of the book are slow, and then suddenly the book picks up pace and the reader can't stop devouring the complex tale! It's an amazing read, especially past page 300. Humorously, it took me almost a month to read the first half of the book, but then I read pages 300-600 in one afternoon! I was left astounded at the epic-ness of this book.
As for the faith aspect, that was beautifully woven throughout the book. There were a couple moments where I was actually brought to tears, specifically at the moments of conversion. This author deals with salvation in an accurate and honourable fashion. Thank you! It was beautiful and God-glorifying.
Concerning historical facts, this book is based on historical accounts. The main characters are fictional, but so authentic as to please the most critical historian. I was pleased that the author kept to rules of the times; he didn't allow any of the romances in the story to go as far as kissing or anything because in the 1500s Christians had a good amount of dignity. I am not a historical critic, but I have studied quite a bit about this time period and nothing major bothered me. Conservatively, there are portions that do disturb me. The author took the liberty to let some of the characters use language in some portions (the regular words such as ''damn''), and there were some crude details which I didn't appreciate. Also, if you are conservative, one of the characters was a prostitute and therefore I would think twice before handing this book to a younger reader. Also, some portions are violent and graphic for children.
Nevertheless, as an adult I was able to ignore those portions and words I didn't approve of, and engross myself in the swashbuckling, faith-filled tale!
Needless to say, I am eagerly following this author and hoping he continues with his writing career!
I was presented a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts are my own.
This novel by Henry Vyner Brooks is an amazing read! Become engrossed in the story of the lives of the characters in this historical novel as you follow their joys and sorrows chapter after chapter.
The Heretic is set in the time of the Reformation: 1536. Henry VIII is king of England and changes are sweeping over the land. This book begins through the eyes of a man called Pacificus, a monk with a mysterious past which he is trying to forget through peaceful and faithful service to God. To Pacificus' dismay, new laws are being enacted, causing monasteries to be deserted and literally endangering his peaceful existence. Strangely enough, Pacificus becomes intensely entangled in the plight of an Anabaptist family who are condemned to death! Follow as the story unfolds, and the characters become involved in a whirlwind of plot, intrigue and adventure! Most importantly, follow the spiritual life of Pacificus as he realizes he cannot rely on His weak Roman Catholic traditions to save his soul.
When I began this book I was, to be honest, disappointed to see that it is written in first-person tense. I have never done well with that style of writing. However, I could tell that the storyline in this chunky paperback was a real gem, so I enthusiastically read on. From my experience, this is a book the reader must be devoted to, if they want to gain a solid understanding of all the characters and plots in this exciting novel. I had trouble understanding the plots, but upon re-reading the book (yes! a second time!), am understanding everything better. The first two parts of the book are slow, and then suddenly the book picks up pace and the reader can't stop devouring the complex tale! It's an amazing read, especially past page 300. Humorously, it took me almost a month to read the first half of the book, but then I read pages 300-600 in one afternoon! I was left astounded at the epic-ness of this book.
As for the faith aspect, that was beautifully woven throughout the book. There were a couple moments where I was actually brought to tears, specifically at the moments of conversion. This author deals with salvation in an accurate and honourable fashion. Thank you! It was beautiful and God-glorifying.
Concerning historical facts, this book is based on historical accounts. The main characters are fictional, but so authentic as to please the most critical historian. I was pleased that the author kept to rules of the times; he didn't allow any of the romances in the story to go as far as kissing or anything because in the 1500s Christians had a good amount of dignity. I am not a historical critic, but I have studied quite a bit about this time period and nothing major bothered me. Conservatively, there are portions that do disturb me. The author took the liberty to let some of the characters use language in some portions (the regular words such as ''damn''), and there were some crude details which I didn't appreciate. Also, if you are conservative, one of the characters was a prostitute and therefore I would think twice before handing this book to a younger reader. Also, some portions are violent and graphic for children.
Nevertheless, as an adult I was able to ignore those portions and words I didn't approve of, and engross myself in the swashbuckling, faith-filled tale!
Needless to say, I am eagerly following this author and hoping he continues with his writing career!
I was presented a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts are my own.
June 15, 2015
I'll begin with a small confession for you, fellow readers. I have just spent an unreasonable amount of time hemming and hawing about what useful observations I could use to fill this review. I've finally stopped fighting the easy answer that resulted from my thoughtful assessment of the reading experience.
The truth is that despite The Heretic being longer than most novels and the palpably dense prose style author Henry Vyner-Brooke uses to present a story uniformly rich in historical detail, evaluation of the fit of this book with your particular preferences and interests is likely to be strangely straightforward.
Here is the one thing I think you should know in order to decide whether to read The Heretic: it's real genre fiction. Many historical fiction releases these days enjoy wide critical acclaim and popularity among readers. These books appeal fundamentally to readers uninterested in history as such; the main draw of the work is essentially similar to that of any given work of contemporary or literary fiction. The placement of the story in the past serves to enrich the setting and therefore many readers' imaginative engagement with the story the author wishes to tell; history does not seem like an end in itself in these texts.
In The Heretic, the history is not just the framework for the fiction, as it were -- it is an essential part of the story's focus. If you do not enjoy reading history, this may not be the best choice for your next read. On the other hand, for history buffs like myself, this book can be a fun ride. Henry Vyner-Brooke has crafted a novel well-equipped to transport your imagination to the time the story takes place and extend this mental escape until the last page, if you have the time.
The world of The Hereitc offers much to engross the mind of a reader interested in this particular period, in sum. Readers whose enjoyment of a novel of this description would depend upon the presence of general strengths outside of the historically rich plot (e.g. literary merit, the ability to maintain a steady and excellent sense of suspense , significant inclusion of another genre type in the plot) would be well-advised to look elsewhere rather than gamble their time and pleasure engaging with this book.
This is what my own experience with the book has led me to believe; I do not pretend to have any knowledge about how you'll experience and evaluate this book or any other. Thanks for reading my ideas; I hope they are of some use to you as you consider what this work has to offer. Please be advised that I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.
The truth is that despite The Heretic being longer than most novels and the palpably dense prose style author Henry Vyner-Brooke uses to present a story uniformly rich in historical detail, evaluation of the fit of this book with your particular preferences and interests is likely to be strangely straightforward.
Here is the one thing I think you should know in order to decide whether to read The Heretic: it's real genre fiction. Many historical fiction releases these days enjoy wide critical acclaim and popularity among readers. These books appeal fundamentally to readers uninterested in history as such; the main draw of the work is essentially similar to that of any given work of contemporary or literary fiction. The placement of the story in the past serves to enrich the setting and therefore many readers' imaginative engagement with the story the author wishes to tell; history does not seem like an end in itself in these texts.
In The Heretic, the history is not just the framework for the fiction, as it were -- it is an essential part of the story's focus. If you do not enjoy reading history, this may not be the best choice for your next read. On the other hand, for history buffs like myself, this book can be a fun ride. Henry Vyner-Brooke has crafted a novel well-equipped to transport your imagination to the time the story takes place and extend this mental escape until the last page, if you have the time.
The world of The Hereitc offers much to engross the mind of a reader interested in this particular period, in sum. Readers whose enjoyment of a novel of this description would depend upon the presence of general strengths outside of the historically rich plot (e.g. literary merit, the ability to maintain a steady and excellent sense of suspense , significant inclusion of another genre type in the plot) would be well-advised to look elsewhere rather than gamble their time and pleasure engaging with this book.
This is what my own experience with the book has led me to believe; I do not pretend to have any knowledge about how you'll experience and evaluate this book or any other. Thanks for reading my ideas; I hope they are of some use to you as you consider what this work has to offer. Please be advised that I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.
December 5, 2014
The Heretic is an impressive undertaking for debut author, Henry Vyner-Brooks. Coming in at a whopping 600+ pages, it is richly detailed, thoroughly researched and beautifully written. If you like true historical fiction, not just a book with an historic setting, then The Heretic is for you. It engaged and challenged my mind and touched my heart. Highly Recommended!
In 1536, the world is in an uproar. Henry VIII is in the process of seizing church lands and his advisors are making reforms. The guilds and merchant classes are thriving and the poor are restless. Pacificus, a Benedictine monk with a past, just wants peace and quiet in his chosen home of St. Benet’s monastery. But peace in Britain is elusive, and God is challenging all he believes.
The Heretic is first and foremost an historical novel set among the turmoil of the Reformation in England. It combines real events and historic figures with a fictional story line. Vyner-Brooks’ handling of the subject matter was seamless. I had to continually Google the events to find out just what really happened. And every time, I found historical accuracy. I view this as a plus! I love when a book makes me go beyond its pages. For readers who are a little less compulsive than me ;), there is plenty of action — uprisings, executions, tournaments and numerous escapes. Conspiracies, murders and plots abound, making The Heretic a book with a twisting, complex plot. The only negative I have is that the story kind of bogged down around page 350. But I persevered and am glad I did. Everything came together in the end. The book is written in third person/present tense, which makes the reader feel a part of the story.
As this book is set during England’s Reformation, much of the plot revolves around Henry’s reforms and supremacy over the church. The great houses of the church – monasteries, nunneries, etc. — are in danger; their members forced out when the land is seized by the crown. The Anabaptists are quietly trying to find religious freedom, but many end up burning at the stake. As a member of a church that finds its roots in the Anabaptist tradition, I found myself examining my own convictions and reactions to the persecution they faced. I found Pacificus, a truly multi-faceted and complex character, intriguing. His faith journey was real and sincere.
I highly recommend The Heretic. Don’t let its length scare you off, but make sure you have plenty of time to read it. It is certainly worth it. Please note: although this is a Christian novel, it was published in England. There is some profanity.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
In 1536, the world is in an uproar. Henry VIII is in the process of seizing church lands and his advisors are making reforms. The guilds and merchant classes are thriving and the poor are restless. Pacificus, a Benedictine monk with a past, just wants peace and quiet in his chosen home of St. Benet’s monastery. But peace in Britain is elusive, and God is challenging all he believes.
The Heretic is first and foremost an historical novel set among the turmoil of the Reformation in England. It combines real events and historic figures with a fictional story line. Vyner-Brooks’ handling of the subject matter was seamless. I had to continually Google the events to find out just what really happened. And every time, I found historical accuracy. I view this as a plus! I love when a book makes me go beyond its pages. For readers who are a little less compulsive than me ;), there is plenty of action — uprisings, executions, tournaments and numerous escapes. Conspiracies, murders and plots abound, making The Heretic a book with a twisting, complex plot. The only negative I have is that the story kind of bogged down around page 350. But I persevered and am glad I did. Everything came together in the end. The book is written in third person/present tense, which makes the reader feel a part of the story.
As this book is set during England’s Reformation, much of the plot revolves around Henry’s reforms and supremacy over the church. The great houses of the church – monasteries, nunneries, etc. — are in danger; their members forced out when the land is seized by the crown. The Anabaptists are quietly trying to find religious freedom, but many end up burning at the stake. As a member of a church that finds its roots in the Anabaptist tradition, I found myself examining my own convictions and reactions to the persecution they faced. I found Pacificus, a truly multi-faceted and complex character, intriguing. His faith journey was real and sincere.
I highly recommend The Heretic. Don’t let its length scare you off, but make sure you have plenty of time to read it. It is certainly worth it. Please note: although this is a Christian novel, it was published in England. There is some profanity.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
December 4, 2014
Henry Vyner-Brooks in his new book “The Heretic” published by Lion Hudson introduces us to Brother Pacificus.
From the back cover: 1536 Who will survive the new world order?
In 1536 it seems the entire known world is changing–strange new lands are discovered and the Reformation is challenging Rome and its power. In England the king’s declaration of a new church and dissolution of the monasteries overturns the customs and authorities of centuries. In the new world order, spies abound and no one can be trusted.
To Brother Pacificus of the Abbey of St. Benet’s in Norfolk, it looks like his abbey alone will be spared dissolution. But this last Benedictine house is mired in murder and intrigue. Then when Pacificus falls under suspicion, more than his own dark past comes to light, while the body count keeps rising. Pacificus’s fate becomes entwined with that of three local children after their parents are arrested for treason and heresy. Protected only by this errant monk, a mysterious leper, and a Dutch eel-catcher, the children must quickly adjust; seeking their own identity, they soon find that neither parents nor protectors are quite what they seem.
Based on historical events, this post-medieval mystery is laced with romance, fueled by greed, and punctuated with bouts of feasting, smuggling, and jailbreak.
History, Christianity, Secrets, murder and family are just some of the ingredients that Mr. Vyner-Brooks has added to this extraordinary adventure that is “The Heretic”. King Henry VII has declared himself head of the church and wants to wipe out any traces of Catholic monasteries, abbeys or churches. Brother Pacificus is more than a monk, he is an ex-knight and has agreed to oversee the safety of Elizabeth Fenton‘s children because she probably will be executed for heresy. There is a murder, then another murder that Pacificus has to solve. There is the issue of religion and being saved. All of this while trying to stay alive and keep the others that way as well. This is a great way to begin a new first-rate series. Mr. Vyner-Brooks has given us a unique action adventure that will keep you on the edge of your chair as you read and flip pages as fast as possible. I recommend this book highly and look forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Lion Hudson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: 1536 Who will survive the new world order?
In 1536 it seems the entire known world is changing–strange new lands are discovered and the Reformation is challenging Rome and its power. In England the king’s declaration of a new church and dissolution of the monasteries overturns the customs and authorities of centuries. In the new world order, spies abound and no one can be trusted.
To Brother Pacificus of the Abbey of St. Benet’s in Norfolk, it looks like his abbey alone will be spared dissolution. But this last Benedictine house is mired in murder and intrigue. Then when Pacificus falls under suspicion, more than his own dark past comes to light, while the body count keeps rising. Pacificus’s fate becomes entwined with that of three local children after their parents are arrested for treason and heresy. Protected only by this errant monk, a mysterious leper, and a Dutch eel-catcher, the children must quickly adjust; seeking their own identity, they soon find that neither parents nor protectors are quite what they seem.
Based on historical events, this post-medieval mystery is laced with romance, fueled by greed, and punctuated with bouts of feasting, smuggling, and jailbreak.
History, Christianity, Secrets, murder and family are just some of the ingredients that Mr. Vyner-Brooks has added to this extraordinary adventure that is “The Heretic”. King Henry VII has declared himself head of the church and wants to wipe out any traces of Catholic monasteries, abbeys or churches. Brother Pacificus is more than a monk, he is an ex-knight and has agreed to oversee the safety of Elizabeth Fenton‘s children because she probably will be executed for heresy. There is a murder, then another murder that Pacificus has to solve. There is the issue of religion and being saved. All of this while trying to stay alive and keep the others that way as well. This is a great way to begin a new first-rate series. Mr. Vyner-Brooks has given us a unique action adventure that will keep you on the edge of your chair as you read and flip pages as fast as possible. I recommend this book highly and look forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Lion Hudson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 3, 2014
I don't often read Christian fiction.I have a standing prejudice against the entire genre; however I do love Church history and a good historical novel. So Henry Vyner-Brooks novel, The Heretic, caught my eye. Set in 1536, Brooks tale follows the life of Pacificus, a British, Benedictine monk with a leperous brother. Pacificus was once a noble man and he fought in one of the last crusades against the Saracens (Muslims from the Ottoman empire). He is a tortured soul who bears the scars of too much killing and he struggles against his past to live out his vocation as a monk.
Unfortunately for him, the quiet life of St. Benet's Abbey evades him. England was in the middle of her Reformation and all her citizens find themselves stuck between Church and State (a rock and a hard place). The novel opens with the arrest of a heretic, an Anabaptist woman. Pacificus hides her children (one of whom, he finds out is his niece). His brother, Simon the leper, shares the faith of the woman and her children while Pacificus remains a faithful monk.
However he is also pulled into intrigue. The Church in England was reorganizing and those who were friendly to reform rose and power (not a flattering picture of Thomas Cromwell here), while those bishops, traditionalists and churchman who were against reform, find ways to resist (or plot against the king). Despite the fact that Pacificus has a past and is an adept killer, he has a strong moral center and is not seduced by power or sedition. But all around him is murder, conspiracy, torture and betrayal. With the help of his Anabaptist friends, a benedictine novice with a whore-half-sister, Pacificus struggles to navigate the political and spiritual realities of the English State church. They also plot together on how to save the woman (the children's mother).
The Heretic is a historical novel that reads like an adventure story. The first hundred pages or so, were slow and I had difficulty getting into it, but the next five hundred pages were gripping. While Christian fiction can be preachy, the theology and faith experience of the characters serve the story. And the story has just enough love and romance to keep you happy if you go in for that sort of thing.
On the whole I really enjoyed The Heretic. It is one of those romantic tales with a happy ending for the characters you care about. I give this four stars.
Notice of material connection: I received this book from Kregel Press (the North American distributor for Lion Fiction) in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately for him, the quiet life of St. Benet's Abbey evades him. England was in the middle of her Reformation and all her citizens find themselves stuck between Church and State (a rock and a hard place). The novel opens with the arrest of a heretic, an Anabaptist woman. Pacificus hides her children (one of whom, he finds out is his niece). His brother, Simon the leper, shares the faith of the woman and her children while Pacificus remains a faithful monk.
However he is also pulled into intrigue. The Church in England was reorganizing and those who were friendly to reform rose and power (not a flattering picture of Thomas Cromwell here), while those bishops, traditionalists and churchman who were against reform, find ways to resist (or plot against the king). Despite the fact that Pacificus has a past and is an adept killer, he has a strong moral center and is not seduced by power or sedition. But all around him is murder, conspiracy, torture and betrayal. With the help of his Anabaptist friends, a benedictine novice with a whore-half-sister, Pacificus struggles to navigate the political and spiritual realities of the English State church. They also plot together on how to save the woman (the children's mother).
The Heretic is a historical novel that reads like an adventure story. The first hundred pages or so, were slow and I had difficulty getting into it, but the next five hundred pages were gripping. While Christian fiction can be preachy, the theology and faith experience of the characters serve the story. And the story has just enough love and romance to keep you happy if you go in for that sort of thing.
On the whole I really enjoyed The Heretic. It is one of those romantic tales with a happy ending for the characters you care about. I give this four stars.
Notice of material connection: I received this book from Kregel Press (the North American distributor for Lion Fiction) in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2014
Looking for an historic epic set in England? Curious about Henry VIII, his wives, his relationship with Rome, and the birth of the Anglican Church? Then The Heretic is for you. Don’t be put off by the thickness of the book. I’d not read anything this long in some time. That and the list of chapters made it seem as though reading it might be a challenge. Then came the list of characters, which I would refer to often, followed by diagrams of how St Benet’s possibly looked like. This is a book you’ll want to read in paper format so you can quickly access these reference materials.
The Heretic is not an easy read. There’s no sailing through the 600 pages. The writing is difficult to follow at first. It’s written in the present tense but in the third person narrative. Although Pacificus is the main character, there are various points of view. There are pages with little or no speech. Then there are streams of conscious thought written as complete paragraphs, sometimes taking up half a page, and these aren’t all the thoughts of Pacificus.
So why would you want to read this novel? Let me tell you. I found it intriguing. I had some knowledge of the reign of Henry VIII and knew that it was just as easy to fall from grace as it was to rise to power. I wanted to know who would live and who would die. Pacificus is not exactly a pious monk. He has a past that appears to have included violence, and it’s possible that a religious life is not his calling. But he’s not the only man of religion bearing secrets. The head of his order has risen in status, even as the king’s men are tearing down monasteries throughout the country. How has this happened? Is Henry VIII going after the Roman Catholic Church or those who would be in opposition to its beliefs? How will Pacificus’s life change as a result of the events in which he finds himself?
The narrative does meander at times, so that I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going. But I wanted to know where it was going and there were times when I thought I knew. The fate of three children might’ve seemed to be the destination, but eventually it became clear: this is the tale of a man who was looking for something but wasn’t sure what it was until he found it.
The Heretic is one of my books of 2014. I’ll share my complete list at the end of the year.
Thank you to Kregel Publications for my complimentary copy of The Heretic, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
The Heretic is not an easy read. There’s no sailing through the 600 pages. The writing is difficult to follow at first. It’s written in the present tense but in the third person narrative. Although Pacificus is the main character, there are various points of view. There are pages with little or no speech. Then there are streams of conscious thought written as complete paragraphs, sometimes taking up half a page, and these aren’t all the thoughts of Pacificus.
So why would you want to read this novel? Let me tell you. I found it intriguing. I had some knowledge of the reign of Henry VIII and knew that it was just as easy to fall from grace as it was to rise to power. I wanted to know who would live and who would die. Pacificus is not exactly a pious monk. He has a past that appears to have included violence, and it’s possible that a religious life is not his calling. But he’s not the only man of religion bearing secrets. The head of his order has risen in status, even as the king’s men are tearing down monasteries throughout the country. How has this happened? Is Henry VIII going after the Roman Catholic Church or those who would be in opposition to its beliefs? How will Pacificus’s life change as a result of the events in which he finds himself?
The narrative does meander at times, so that I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going. But I wanted to know where it was going and there were times when I thought I knew. The fate of three children might’ve seemed to be the destination, but eventually it became clear: this is the tale of a man who was looking for something but wasn’t sure what it was until he found it.
The Heretic is one of my books of 2014. I’ll share my complete list at the end of the year.
Thank you to Kregel Publications for my complimentary copy of The Heretic, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2014
The Heretic by Henry Vyner-Brooks is, in a word, epic. The scene is set in the 1530’s during the beginning movements and murmurs of the Reformation of the church in England. Vyner-Brooks’ brilliance is exemplified in spots throughout the novel as the protagonist, Pacificus, is a holy-warrior turned pious-monk who struggles with multiple related internal conflicts Conveniently, all such internal conflicts have implications for the grand-scale external conflict the country is facing. He must choose to go back to his violent past or to stay dedicated to his pious present; and, he must choose to either become a heretic in the eyes of the modern church or embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pacificus’ introspection is excellently engaging and interesting, as the reader is able to witness him struggle with love and piety, violence and pacifism, and deception and loyalty.
Unfortunately, the book also attempts to follow around and develop many other characters in the same way as it does for Pacificus. Characters including his brother Simon, a father and a mother and some children who are all wanted for treason, and many other monks and abbots and whoever. A poignant weakness of Vyner-Brooks long novel is the high amount of characters who show up whenever you least expect them. Also, the book is weakened by some superfluous dialogue and strange plot points that came up after having been discussed over 100 pages prior which the reader has forgotten about already.
The protagonist and the plot and the setting is exciting and engaging, but the page count and excessive cast waters down the novel. This book should have been divided into two separate books, in which Vyner-Brooks should have focused on and dealt with one of Pacificus’ internal conflicts. Since this novel is well-written in a technical sense, I would recommend this book to anyone with historical fiction lovers with enough time on their hands. However, since this novel is way too long and confusing at times, I would recommend you pass on this one and read another book this winter.
I received this book for free from Lion Fiction for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Unfortunately, the book also attempts to follow around and develop many other characters in the same way as it does for Pacificus. Characters including his brother Simon, a father and a mother and some children who are all wanted for treason, and many other monks and abbots and whoever. A poignant weakness of Vyner-Brooks long novel is the high amount of characters who show up whenever you least expect them. Also, the book is weakened by some superfluous dialogue and strange plot points that came up after having been discussed over 100 pages prior which the reader has forgotten about already.
The protagonist and the plot and the setting is exciting and engaging, but the page count and excessive cast waters down the novel. This book should have been divided into two separate books, in which Vyner-Brooks should have focused on and dealt with one of Pacificus’ internal conflicts. Since this novel is well-written in a technical sense, I would recommend this book to anyone with historical fiction lovers with enough time on their hands. However, since this novel is way too long and confusing at times, I would recommend you pass on this one and read another book this winter.
I received this book for free from Lion Fiction for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 10, 2015
The Heretic is a brilliant work of historical fiction, history and storytelling woven together to create a masterpiece of modern fiction. Henry Vyner-Brooks is a careful historian and offers an insightful evaluation of the early 16th-century religious upheaval and struggle for freedom in England.
As an author, Vyner-Brooks stands among the best. The Heretic captivates the reader with its masterful storytelling, beautiful language, and thought-provoking narrative. In an age of media and fast-paced entertainment, this book welcomes the reader into a deeper and more abiding form of enjoyment: a piece of well-written literature that stirs the soul. This book is beautiful in its form and powerful in its message.
The Heretic deals with the struggle for religious freedom and the crisis of faith faced by those caught up in the times. The book allows its characters to struggle, suffer, and wrestle with their beliefs and convictions and, for some, to face death because of those beliefs.
The use of the third-person present tense adds a unique and insightful element to this book. Through this medium, the reader is drawn into the complex struggles, thoughts, and emotions of the characters. Often, the narrative itself carries the story, not relying over-much on dialogue to move it along (and yet, when employed, the use of dialogue is purposeful and rings true).
A word of caution to readers: This book contains certain content that may be difficult or inappropriate for some readers. Vyner-Brooks does not shy away from sometimes gruesome content (descriptions of the brutal persecution of those who sought religious freedom, a few murder sequences etc…). There is some mild sexual content (nothing explicit, but he does not ignore the reality of sexual sin and perversion). There is a smattering of mild obscenities such as “d**n” and “h*ll” and the (correct) usage of words such as “b****rd,” wh**re,” and “b*tch.”
In the use of this content, however, Vyner-Brooks is careful and thoughtful in his depiction of them and avoids unnecessarily gratuitous content and descriptions. Moreover, their presence adds to the value of this book as a work of historical fiction by providing the reader with a true reflection of the times.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
As an author, Vyner-Brooks stands among the best. The Heretic captivates the reader with its masterful storytelling, beautiful language, and thought-provoking narrative. In an age of media and fast-paced entertainment, this book welcomes the reader into a deeper and more abiding form of enjoyment: a piece of well-written literature that stirs the soul. This book is beautiful in its form and powerful in its message.
The Heretic deals with the struggle for religious freedom and the crisis of faith faced by those caught up in the times. The book allows its characters to struggle, suffer, and wrestle with their beliefs and convictions and, for some, to face death because of those beliefs.
The use of the third-person present tense adds a unique and insightful element to this book. Through this medium, the reader is drawn into the complex struggles, thoughts, and emotions of the characters. Often, the narrative itself carries the story, not relying over-much on dialogue to move it along (and yet, when employed, the use of dialogue is purposeful and rings true).
A word of caution to readers: This book contains certain content that may be difficult or inappropriate for some readers. Vyner-Brooks does not shy away from sometimes gruesome content (descriptions of the brutal persecution of those who sought religious freedom, a few murder sequences etc…). There is some mild sexual content (nothing explicit, but he does not ignore the reality of sexual sin and perversion). There is a smattering of mild obscenities such as “d**n” and “h*ll” and the (correct) usage of words such as “b****rd,” wh**re,” and “b*tch.”
In the use of this content, however, Vyner-Brooks is careful and thoughtful in his depiction of them and avoids unnecessarily gratuitous content and descriptions. Moreover, their presence adds to the value of this book as a work of historical fiction by providing the reader with a true reflection of the times.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2014
In England during the Sixteenth century, life is difficult. The whole nation is struggling to hold on to their religious beliefs without losing their lives. The Heretic by Henry Vyner-Brooks introduces the reader to the King of England, The Pope, The Emperor, the, Augustinians, Benedictine monks,etc.The Christian Historical novel is rich with meaning and detail.With all of these very complicated and highly important events happening, there is a basic question in the hearts of every man. Will we lose our integrity during a time of trial? It's difficult to hold on to character when the finest men no longer care about being a good example to the masses. The Bishop might not be on the King's side any longer. Where is the Emperor's loyalties at the moment with which men or man? In this Sixteenth Century, there is a Dust storm every day. Loyalty and disloyalty are rampant. The bishops and monks are trading priceless rings for better status in the King's house.
Beth maintains her integrity by choosing not to become the King's mistress. She is not blinded by the beauty of the gowns worn by women like Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and other court ladies. Beth chooses family and the ingrained truths of her faith instead of the King's riches and his false love. People like Master Fenton and Elizabeth Fenton are willing to sacrifice their lives to keep their faith. These good people desperately fight and struggle together like The Three Musketeers.There belief never changes, "all for one and one for all."
In his dedication, Henry Vyner-Brooks writes in his dedication: "To the 200 million Christians who still suffer for their faith." Sobering. There are still places around the globe where people have to hide in order to read their Bible.There is also the chance that Americans might have to fight for their religious beliefs one day in the future. Would we die for the love of God in a fiery fire or be drawn and quartered? There is a poignant question on the book cover that not only pertains to this long ago century but could pertain to our future society. The question is "1536 who will survive the new world order?" Is is silly just to change the year value and ask the same question?lovereading.co.uk/authorHenry-Vyner-B...
January 7, 2015
The year is 1536 and Henry the VII has just proclaimed himself head of the Church of England. The centuries-old way of life is changing with the arrival of new ideas and the winds of Reformation. Monks, nuns and their houses are in jeopardy, bishops must swear allegiance to the king’s authority over the church, but things are even harder for Anabaptists who eschew both Rome and Canterbury.
This is the setting of a fast-paced, engrossing tale spun by Henry Vyner-Brooks. "The Heretic" follows the interwoven tales of an odd cast of misfit-heroes. An Anabaptist’s orphan children, a leper, an eel-catcher and a prostitute — oh, and the monk whose past name is known throughout the land — these characters are richly developed as they weave in and out of a plot that includes stolen relics, ghastly murders, and enough chivalry and romance to picque the interest of a wide range of readers.
The book’s Christian message lurks beneath the surface for most of the story. The struggle of faith and doubt, and the dangers of reading a heretic Bible are presented in a realistic manner that doesn’t come off as wooden or forced. As a Protestant who has a positive view of the Reformation, the story’s stress on the negative impact of closing the monasteries and ignoring the poor, as well as the political undercurrents behind such changes all conspired to complicate the clean history we prefer to remember. In this and other ways the tale is a challenge to all of us to come to grips with our faith and be willing to stand for what we believe.
One irksome blunder is the mention of Calvinism and Geneva. Calvin only came to Geneva in 1536, when this story commences. And while he may have been known, he certainly hadn’t earned his reputation to the degree the book assumes.
At times, the story includes implausible elements, but on the whole, the story is rewarding and keeps you guessing. The end result is a medieval tale of suspense, mystery and a hint of romance that will make for pleasant and enriching reading. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Lion Fiction through Kregel Pulbications. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
This is the setting of a fast-paced, engrossing tale spun by Henry Vyner-Brooks. "The Heretic" follows the interwoven tales of an odd cast of misfit-heroes. An Anabaptist’s orphan children, a leper, an eel-catcher and a prostitute — oh, and the monk whose past name is known throughout the land — these characters are richly developed as they weave in and out of a plot that includes stolen relics, ghastly murders, and enough chivalry and romance to picque the interest of a wide range of readers.
The book’s Christian message lurks beneath the surface for most of the story. The struggle of faith and doubt, and the dangers of reading a heretic Bible are presented in a realistic manner that doesn’t come off as wooden or forced. As a Protestant who has a positive view of the Reformation, the story’s stress on the negative impact of closing the monasteries and ignoring the poor, as well as the political undercurrents behind such changes all conspired to complicate the clean history we prefer to remember. In this and other ways the tale is a challenge to all of us to come to grips with our faith and be willing to stand for what we believe.
One irksome blunder is the mention of Calvinism and Geneva. Calvin only came to Geneva in 1536, when this story commences. And while he may have been known, he certainly hadn’t earned his reputation to the degree the book assumes.
At times, the story includes implausible elements, but on the whole, the story is rewarding and keeps you guessing. The end result is a medieval tale of suspense, mystery and a hint of romance that will make for pleasant and enriching reading. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by Lion Fiction through Kregel Pulbications. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
December 1, 2014
Pacificus, is the central character throughout The Heretic--a monk with a past he has worked hard to keep buried. The monastic life seems the perfect place to enjoy peace and isolation as a painter of sacred figures and scenes. Those goals are set aside the fateful day he is asked to hide five children whose parents were arrested on charges of heresy. An eel catcher and his maiden sister open their home to the children and Pacificus thinks his job is done. But he feels compelled to follow up on the outcome of their parent's trial and thereby stays connected to their lives, becoming increasingly entangled in their future.
Pacificus' brother lives in a nearby leper colony with secrets of his own--even from his brother. Feeling as though his affliction is God's punishment for past wrongs, Simon lives under a weight of guilt and regret. Grappling with his faith and trying to navigate the ripples of reformation prove a daunting task.
When a fellow monk gets murdered, Pacificus feels compelled to make inquiries; which unfortunately puts him in the spotlight of suspicion. On top of this, he gets tapped by the bishop to be his inside man in a game of which the rules and alliances are not what they seem. His life of peace and solitude is quickly evaporating.
This book is a mix of mystery, church history, theological debate, adventure, political intrigue and chivalry. The story takes a bit of time to get moving and for those (like myself) who have forgotten much of European history, the political figures and loyalties are a bit tricky to keep straight. There were a few anachronistic parts of the story but many readers may not even notice.
Like an elaborate game of chess--complete with pawns at the mercy of bishops and kings--The Heretic is a book that will hold you in suspense through each move and countermove. And just when you think the king is in check, the tables are drastically turned. I found the book to be an exceptional read with plenty of twists and turns and a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to an epic adventure.
I received a copy of The Heretic from Kregel Publications for review.
Pacificus' brother lives in a nearby leper colony with secrets of his own--even from his brother. Feeling as though his affliction is God's punishment for past wrongs, Simon lives under a weight of guilt and regret. Grappling with his faith and trying to navigate the ripples of reformation prove a daunting task.
When a fellow monk gets murdered, Pacificus feels compelled to make inquiries; which unfortunately puts him in the spotlight of suspicion. On top of this, he gets tapped by the bishop to be his inside man in a game of which the rules and alliances are not what they seem. His life of peace and solitude is quickly evaporating.
This book is a mix of mystery, church history, theological debate, adventure, political intrigue and chivalry. The story takes a bit of time to get moving and for those (like myself) who have forgotten much of European history, the political figures and loyalties are a bit tricky to keep straight. There were a few anachronistic parts of the story but many readers may not even notice.
Like an elaborate game of chess--complete with pawns at the mercy of bishops and kings--The Heretic is a book that will hold you in suspense through each move and countermove. And just when you think the king is in check, the tables are drastically turned. I found the book to be an exceptional read with plenty of twists and turns and a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to an epic adventure.
I received a copy of The Heretic from Kregel Publications for review.
April 27, 2015
I knew I would enjoy reading this novel of historical fiction, but its sheer size (608 pages) caused me to keep putting it off until I “had more time”. My advice to other readers is to just jump in and become totally immersed in life in the 1530s. There are three parts (plus a final chapter) that taken separately break down this verbal feast to manageable bites. Once the storyline grabs you, the length of the novel is a plus rather than a negative. Maps and a list of characters help the reader navigate through the multitude of locales and people portrayed. I could have used a glossary of 16th century terms, but it was not difficult to figure out most of the meanings (ie. Straithe ,pobs, tail-clout).
The story takes place in a time of flux in society and religion. Henry VIII has taken control of the church and disbanded most of the monasteries. Dissenters are persecuted for their heresy. Life is uncertain on all fronts. Several comments seem to me to convey the prevailing attitude of the times: “What strange forces shape our world, our destinies, our unlived pasts and forgotten futures?” “… some great unseen hand is moving the wheels of fortune in ways he cannot determine.” “Maid, you cannot “prefer” now, only take what s offered.” In this setting we encounter folks from all walks of life: the orphans, the leper, the eel-man, the monks, the millers, the abbot, all the King’s men, the heretics, the whore, the spy, the privateers, the smugglers, the courtiers, and the rebels.
This story of intrigue and warring agendas was as dark in places as the times, but I enjoyed the humorous touches of comic relief. Brother Pacificus, who is not at all serene, fussing to himself about the disruption of his quiet life of work and prayer. A character is described as so narrow-minded he could see through a keyhole with both eyes. Prepare to vicariously live in the world the author portrays and enjoy the clashes of attitude and will. I received this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for this my honest opinion.
The story takes place in a time of flux in society and religion. Henry VIII has taken control of the church and disbanded most of the monasteries. Dissenters are persecuted for their heresy. Life is uncertain on all fronts. Several comments seem to me to convey the prevailing attitude of the times: “What strange forces shape our world, our destinies, our unlived pasts and forgotten futures?” “… some great unseen hand is moving the wheels of fortune in ways he cannot determine.” “Maid, you cannot “prefer” now, only take what s offered.” In this setting we encounter folks from all walks of life: the orphans, the leper, the eel-man, the monks, the millers, the abbot, all the King’s men, the heretics, the whore, the spy, the privateers, the smugglers, the courtiers, and the rebels.
This story of intrigue and warring agendas was as dark in places as the times, but I enjoyed the humorous touches of comic relief. Brother Pacificus, who is not at all serene, fussing to himself about the disruption of his quiet life of work and prayer. A character is described as so narrow-minded he could see through a keyhole with both eyes. Prepare to vicariously live in the world the author portrays and enjoy the clashes of attitude and will. I received this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for this my honest opinion.
June 7, 2016
The Tudor years were a frightening time to live. When King Henry VIII passes ‘The Act of Supremacy’ to his people of England, and then declares himself the head of the Church of England, for all those who followed other faiths, their lives just became more dangerous.
Those that disagreed with the king’s religious views were executed in a brutal and cruel manner.
When the Fenton children are left orphaned, after their parents were convicted of treason, Brother Pacificus takes them in and tries to get them to the safety of his sister Sarah. However this is not as easy as it sounds and he needs help, but not all characters are whom they seem.
The Heretic is set over a four year period, between the years 1536 and 1539, an era in which it must have been horrendous to have lived.
The story is gripping and will have you turning pages like lightning. It is however a very brutal book as well, with exceptionally graphic scenes that if you are of a squeamish nature, you may want to pass over these parts.
The book isn’t for the faint-hearted at over 600 pages long, though it sometimes plays out like there are numerous stories within the main story, and lots of characters so you don’t really notice the length of the book.
It is mainly about religion and the faith of the people, with the Heretics being devotees to the Bible and the reformation movement.
The historical accuracy within this book just shows you how much planning and revision went into it.
This is a dark, epic novel that will teach you a thing or two about the Tudor years. It will also throw you off course more than once, and keep you in suspense over and over again. A fantastic novel that is certainly worth your time.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Those that disagreed with the king’s religious views were executed in a brutal and cruel manner.
When the Fenton children are left orphaned, after their parents were convicted of treason, Brother Pacificus takes them in and tries to get them to the safety of his sister Sarah. However this is not as easy as it sounds and he needs help, but not all characters are whom they seem.
The Heretic is set over a four year period, between the years 1536 and 1539, an era in which it must have been horrendous to have lived.
The story is gripping and will have you turning pages like lightning. It is however a very brutal book as well, with exceptionally graphic scenes that if you are of a squeamish nature, you may want to pass over these parts.
The book isn’t for the faint-hearted at over 600 pages long, though it sometimes plays out like there are numerous stories within the main story, and lots of characters so you don’t really notice the length of the book.
It is mainly about religion and the faith of the people, with the Heretics being devotees to the Bible and the reformation movement.
The historical accuracy within this book just shows you how much planning and revision went into it.
This is a dark, epic novel that will teach you a thing or two about the Tudor years. It will also throw you off course more than once, and keep you in suspense over and over again. A fantastic novel that is certainly worth your time.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
December 3, 2014
Henry Vyner-Brooks’ The Heretic is a heavy duty historical novel. Based in England, 1536, The Heretic covers the lives (and deaths) of some who would reform the Church of England, some who would restore the Roman Church in England, and some who would leave the Church altogether.
And if you think that’s a complicated summary, you should read the book and realize just how oversimplified I made it. This makes me of two minds about Vyner-Brooks’ work. First is the concern that it’s too complicated and too woven into the historical events to be widely read.
And that is a legitimate concern. If you are not familiar, generally, with the history of England, then you will be lost from the beginning of this book. It is a different style of historical novel than I typically see. Usually, historical fiction uses the story to help inform the past, helping the reader to know what happened. Vyner-Brooks has taken a different turning in this, and you need to know the macro-level events. From his writing, you will gather the day-to-day, personal level events that went on, things that don’t make it into history books. It is a different manner of doing historical fiction.
Which brings me to my second mind on this book: I love it. It is rich with history and smells of unwashed monks, unrefrigerated foods, and grouchy monarchs. There is no pandering to the reader nor patronizing parentheticals to remind you who “Martin Luther” was. You need to know. It’s a grown-up level read, for those who want to dig into the flavor of the times.
Does it have a happy ending? Does anything in that time?
It took work to get through The Heretic, but it was a book worth reading.
Note: yes, I got this one for free from Kregel. They offer books, I take books.
And if you think that’s a complicated summary, you should read the book and realize just how oversimplified I made it. This makes me of two minds about Vyner-Brooks’ work. First is the concern that it’s too complicated and too woven into the historical events to be widely read.
And that is a legitimate concern. If you are not familiar, generally, with the history of England, then you will be lost from the beginning of this book. It is a different style of historical novel than I typically see. Usually, historical fiction uses the story to help inform the past, helping the reader to know what happened. Vyner-Brooks has taken a different turning in this, and you need to know the macro-level events. From his writing, you will gather the day-to-day, personal level events that went on, things that don’t make it into history books. It is a different manner of doing historical fiction.
Which brings me to my second mind on this book: I love it. It is rich with history and smells of unwashed monks, unrefrigerated foods, and grouchy monarchs. There is no pandering to the reader nor patronizing parentheticals to remind you who “Martin Luther” was. You need to know. It’s a grown-up level read, for those who want to dig into the flavor of the times.
Does it have a happy ending? Does anything in that time?
It took work to get through The Heretic, but it was a book worth reading.
Note: yes, I got this one for free from Kregel. They offer books, I take books.
December 30, 2015
In the transition of the Roman Catholic Church to the new world order where the King is head of the church, Henry Vyner-Brooks gives us a clear perspective of the trauma of reformation in England. If you enjoy history, this book is terrific.
Brother Pacificus aka Sir Hugh Erpingham, a knight in hiding as a Benedictine monk in St Benet’s Abbey, has fought the infidels in the Holy War and is a disillusioned, but loyal Roman Catholic. Or is he?
With Sir Hugh’s expertise, he leads the uprising in the North against the King. As Brother Pacificus he falls in love with a beautiful heretic, Elizabeth, an anabaptist who believes radical things. For instance, illegally owning and reading part of the Holy Bible in english which is in opposition to the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church during this period.
Even Cromwell is smitten with Elizabeth and tries to persuade her to recant. Who is the heretic? Brother Pacificus’ allegiances seem to keep changing. He is consistently stretched: from his former mentor Bishop Rugge and the Heretics who help Pacificus care for Elizabeth’s children, to Cromwell himself. Nothing is as it seems.
One thing is for sure—everything is changing and everyone is standing at the crossroads.
The Heretic is well written. It would be helpful for readers to have an understanding of the Catholic Church. The lists with categories of people at the beginning are an asset. I referred to them often. It seemed like a character could be referred to several ways. I got confused at times, but that didn’t hinder me from enjoying the story.
I received a complimentary book from The Book Club Network at bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
Brother Pacificus aka Sir Hugh Erpingham, a knight in hiding as a Benedictine monk in St Benet’s Abbey, has fought the infidels in the Holy War and is a disillusioned, but loyal Roman Catholic. Or is he?
With Sir Hugh’s expertise, he leads the uprising in the North against the King. As Brother Pacificus he falls in love with a beautiful heretic, Elizabeth, an anabaptist who believes radical things. For instance, illegally owning and reading part of the Holy Bible in english which is in opposition to the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church during this period.
Even Cromwell is smitten with Elizabeth and tries to persuade her to recant. Who is the heretic? Brother Pacificus’ allegiances seem to keep changing. He is consistently stretched: from his former mentor Bishop Rugge and the Heretics who help Pacificus care for Elizabeth’s children, to Cromwell himself. Nothing is as it seems.
One thing is for sure—everything is changing and everyone is standing at the crossroads.
The Heretic is well written. It would be helpful for readers to have an understanding of the Catholic Church. The lists with categories of people at the beginning are an asset. I referred to them often. It seemed like a character could be referred to several ways. I got confused at times, but that didn’t hinder me from enjoying the story.
I received a complimentary book from The Book Club Network at bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2015
Those Who Turned the World Upside Down...
The Reformation has started, the country of England has broken with the Catholic Church, and Henry VIII has proclaimed himself head of the Church of England.The Anglicans, having gotten freedom of religion from the Catholics, refuse to grant it to others. It is a dangerous time to live, and expressing any opinions, religious or political, is just cause for death.
We are introduced to Pacificus, a monk at what appears to be an obscure abbey. An Anabaptist couple is arrested for refusing to acknowledge the king's sovereignty of faith. Pacificus is given charge of the four young children.
There is more excitement, more murder and gore, more intrigue, and more medieval pageantry wrapped up in this story of faith and ideology than a first look would have one believe. The story is initially a little hard to get into, but well worth the effort for history lovers and people interested in the background of the Anabaptists and the terrible turmoil in England during the reign of Henry VIII. I learned more about Cromwell and and few others than I would have in a history class.
Although this is an incredible book of faith, some readers will want to know that the "D" word and the "h" word are used some. The wonderful part of the book is seeing Pacificus wonder, muse, and pray his way through events until his adopted name finally fits him.
Some favorite quotes:
"He sits, as does the abbey-and everything else-on a sandbank between two rivers."
"Surely Luther's faith and Calvin's grace will populate heaven with scoundrels? Can a man do nothing to earn salvation? Must we all come like cowards, beggars, and lepers?"
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
The Reformation has started, the country of England has broken with the Catholic Church, and Henry VIII has proclaimed himself head of the Church of England.The Anglicans, having gotten freedom of religion from the Catholics, refuse to grant it to others. It is a dangerous time to live, and expressing any opinions, religious or political, is just cause for death.
We are introduced to Pacificus, a monk at what appears to be an obscure abbey. An Anabaptist couple is arrested for refusing to acknowledge the king's sovereignty of faith. Pacificus is given charge of the four young children.
There is more excitement, more murder and gore, more intrigue, and more medieval pageantry wrapped up in this story of faith and ideology than a first look would have one believe. The story is initially a little hard to get into, but well worth the effort for history lovers and people interested in the background of the Anabaptists and the terrible turmoil in England during the reign of Henry VIII. I learned more about Cromwell and and few others than I would have in a history class.
Although this is an incredible book of faith, some readers will want to know that the "D" word and the "h" word are used some. The wonderful part of the book is seeing Pacificus wonder, muse, and pray his way through events until his adopted name finally fits him.
Some favorite quotes:
"He sits, as does the abbey-and everything else-on a sandbank between two rivers."
"Surely Luther's faith and Calvin's grace will populate heaven with scoundrels? Can a man do nothing to earn salvation? Must we all come like cowards, beggars, and lepers?"
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2015
Henry Vyner-Brooks has written an outstanding historical novel in his first book, The Heretic. In the setting of the mid 1500s the story brings to light the amazing tale of changes of Christendom during the time of religious reformation in England. The author introduces us to real historical figures such as Cromwell and King Henry VIII and fictional monks and a family of children whose heretic father is murdered and mother is imprisoned. The myriad cast of characters will captivate readers and take them on an adventure of sometimes heart pounding action, murder, treasonous relationships, and romance. Using wonderful word pictures and some snide humor Vyner-Brooks, a careful historian, does an amazing job of describing exciting jousts and jailbreaks, torturous methods of punishment, mouthwatering feasts of the wealthy and the plight of the poor and imprisoned. The Heretic allows the reader to begin to understand the internal conflicts that the early Reformationists were going through as they struggled with the tenets of the Catholic Church, the changing laws of England and the desire to have freedom of religion. This 600 page book may seem a bit daunting but for the historical fiction fan it is a must read.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. I have posted reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Deepershopping.com, Christianbook.com, Bookfun.org and GoodReads.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. I have posted reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Deepershopping.com, Christianbook.com, Bookfun.org and GoodReads.
April 29, 2016
This story is about a pivotal time. Henry VIII has been declared the head of the church, those that don’t follow the correct religion are tortured and killed. And there are those like Brother Pacificus who has a past and questions his following the “true” church. Brother Pacificus becomes the guardian of three children when their parents are murdered for being heretics. It is up to Pacificus to try and get them to some family that will protect them. But Pacificus is just one part of the story. There are so many characters that face death, life, religion, and what it really means to believe in something.
There is a lot that is happening in this story. The story has many layers that you might not think much of at first, but they over lap and shape this book into much more than a simple story about one monk protecting three kids and questioning his own beliefs. The books becomes many stories interwoven together. The research and historical facts make this book more realistic and make it more than a book you can casually read.
This is a great story and anyone that likes history will love this book. It does take a little bit to get into but once I got into the story I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Make sure to check out The Heretic.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There is a lot that is happening in this story. The story has many layers that you might not think much of at first, but they over lap and shape this book into much more than a simple story about one monk protecting three kids and questioning his own beliefs. The books becomes many stories interwoven together. The research and historical facts make this book more realistic and make it more than a book you can casually read.
This is a great story and anyone that likes history will love this book. It does take a little bit to get into but once I got into the story I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Make sure to check out The Heretic.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2014
I won this on GoodReads.
I just want to say that it took a while to get into the story, about half of the book, then I got hooked. “The Heretic” is the story of Brother Pacificus, a Benedictine monk in the most turbulent periods in English history. While King Henry was forcing everyone to accept him as the head of his new church while killing all dissenters, both Catholic and the “heretics” who think they should be able to read the bible in their own language. I think we’d call them Lutherans. Will Brother Pacificus be able to come to peace with his past as a knight during the Crusade? Will he be able to survive the political turmoil tearing apart the Catholic Church? Will he be able to save the Fenton family from being burned at the stake for heresy? This story puts human faces on this horrific period of political, religious, and social change.
I’m very glad I hung in there until it got interesting. The first part of the book was very, very detailed to the point I kept putting it down. Do I really need a list of all the people (8, 10?) who were there; both first and last names? Once the story got going, I couldn’t put it down and finished in two day. Very insightful. I want to give it 3.5 stars.
I just want to say that it took a while to get into the story, about half of the book, then I got hooked. “The Heretic” is the story of Brother Pacificus, a Benedictine monk in the most turbulent periods in English history. While King Henry was forcing everyone to accept him as the head of his new church while killing all dissenters, both Catholic and the “heretics” who think they should be able to read the bible in their own language. I think we’d call them Lutherans. Will Brother Pacificus be able to come to peace with his past as a knight during the Crusade? Will he be able to survive the political turmoil tearing apart the Catholic Church? Will he be able to save the Fenton family from being burned at the stake for heresy? This story puts human faces on this horrific period of political, religious, and social change.
I’m very glad I hung in there until it got interesting. The first part of the book was very, very detailed to the point I kept putting it down. Do I really need a list of all the people (8, 10?) who were there; both first and last names? Once the story got going, I couldn’t put it down and finished in two day. Very insightful. I want to give it 3.5 stars.
January 7, 2015
I really enjoyed the way this author gave you a dose of factual history mixed in with a thrilling tale. After finishing "The Heretic", I decided to see just how accurate Vyner-Brooks was on his history. I was surprised at how exactly his story matched up with history. Except that his book was far more interesting and exciting than the historical pages that I browsed. He wrote in a way that helped you connect with the main characters in the book. And gave a lot of good insight as to what the struggles of a Christian at the time might be.
There are a lot of characters in this book and if you aren't vigilant you could get a little bit lost and overwhelmed, but the main characters are easy enough to pick out and if you do a little bit of research and educate yourself, it is much easier to keep track of who is who and you will learn something in the process!
This is definitely not the kind of leisurely book that you pick up, not having to think much about the plot or what is going on in the story. But if you are ready to pay attention, this tale is gripping and holds you until the end. I really enjoyed reading this. I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
There are a lot of characters in this book and if you aren't vigilant you could get a little bit lost and overwhelmed, but the main characters are easy enough to pick out and if you do a little bit of research and educate yourself, it is much easier to keep track of who is who and you will learn something in the process!
This is definitely not the kind of leisurely book that you pick up, not having to think much about the plot or what is going on in the story. But if you are ready to pay attention, this tale is gripping and holds you until the end. I really enjoyed reading this. I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2023
9781782640950; 603 pages
This took me a while to get in to - but once I did it was an engaging and involving experience*. It helps that I know the location of the main action quite well (though here it's more land-based than my river knowledge!) and I have a basic grasp of the political machinations, admittedly skewed by A Man For All Seasons and the BBC Henry VIII (Six Wives with Keith Michell series). As a work of fiction of course the character of the Duke of Norfolk especially differs from that in those two dramatisations! And I really must get round to reading Wolf Hall!
*One quibble - YMMV - is that two of the main characters use somewhat modern and therefore anachronistic phrases from time to time; this may account in part for my difficulty in starting the book. I'd not normally mention tis in a review but will break that pattern on this occasion. And why oh why is there no cover illustration in the listing? (Nothing to do with the book - but a massive beef on my part about the monolithic Amazon juggernaut further mangling an imperfect system and managing to make it worse.)
This took me a while to get in to - but once I did it was an engaging and involving experience*. It helps that I know the location of the main action quite well (though here it's more land-based than my river knowledge!) and I have a basic grasp of the political machinations, admittedly skewed by A Man For All Seasons and the BBC Henry VIII (Six Wives with Keith Michell series). As a work of fiction of course the character of the Duke of Norfolk especially differs from that in those two dramatisations! And I really must get round to reading Wolf Hall!
*One quibble - YMMV - is that two of the main characters use somewhat modern and therefore anachronistic phrases from time to time; this may account in part for my difficulty in starting the book. I'd not normally mention tis in a review but will break that pattern on this occasion. And why oh why is there no cover illustration in the listing? (Nothing to do with the book - but a massive beef on my part about the monolithic Amazon juggernaut further mangling an imperfect system and managing to make it worse.)
February 13, 2015
Surviving through persecution in the Middle Ages
“The Heretic” is an historical story from the 1500’s that is richly expressive in the descriptions and intriguing plot. I usually prefer reading a story to seeing it on TV or film, but this is one story that would make a wonderful mini-series. The author is so descriptive in the details of the environment, characters, and events that I would love to see it all “come to life”. The story is dark and menacing in many places, but true to the time period and history buffs will love the retelling of these early years in Christianity. The persecution of Christians during those “dark days” is felt throughout the book and my admiration for those living through it while holding on to their faith grew as I read. There are so many sub-plots throughout – sometimes hard to follow, but worth the effort! There are many twists and turns to the story which kept me reading and involved with the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated with this era.
I received this book from BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review
“The Heretic” is an historical story from the 1500’s that is richly expressive in the descriptions and intriguing plot. I usually prefer reading a story to seeing it on TV or film, but this is one story that would make a wonderful mini-series. The author is so descriptive in the details of the environment, characters, and events that I would love to see it all “come to life”. The story is dark and menacing in many places, but true to the time period and history buffs will love the retelling of these early years in Christianity. The persecution of Christians during those “dark days” is felt throughout the book and my admiration for those living through it while holding on to their faith grew as I read. There are so many sub-plots throughout – sometimes hard to follow, but worth the effort! There are many twists and turns to the story which kept me reading and involved with the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated with this era.
I received this book from BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review
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