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The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of René Descartes
An historical murder mystery based on real events.
Who would want to murder the world’s most famous philosopher?
Turns out: nearly everyone.
In 1649, Descartes was invited by the Queen of Sweden to become her Court Philosopher. Though he was the world’s leading philosopher, his life had by this point fallen apart. He was 53, penniless, living in exile in Amsterdam, alone. With much trepidation but not much choice, he arrived in Stockholm in mid-October.
Shortly thereafter he was dead.
Pneumonia, they said. But who could believe that? There were just too many persons of interest who wanted to see Descartes dead, and for too many reasons. That so many of these persons were in Stockholm—thanks to the Gala the Queen was throwing to celebrate the end of the terrible Thirty Years' War—made the official story all the less plausible. Death by poisoning was the unofficial word on the cobblestone.
Enter Adrien Baillet. A likeable misfit with a mysterious backstory, he arrives just as the French Ambassador desperately needs an impartial Frenchman to prove that Descartes died of natural causes—lest the “murder” in Lutheran Sweden of France’s great Catholic philosopher trigger colicky French boy-King Louis XIV to reignite that awful War. Baillet hesitatingly agrees to investigate Descartes’s death, knowing that if—or when—he screws up, he could be personally responsible for the War’s Thirty-First Year.
But solving the mystery of Descartes’s death (Baillet soon learns) requires first solving the mystery of Descartes’s life, with all its dangerous secrets ... None of it is easy, as nearly everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted. Nor does it help that he must do it all under the menacing gaze of Carolus Zolindius, the terrifying Swedish Chancellor with the strangely intimidating limp.
But Baillet somehow perseveres, surprising everyone as he figures it all out—all the way to the explosive end.
Who would want to murder the world’s most famous philosopher?
Turns out: nearly everyone.
In 1649, Descartes was invited by the Queen of Sweden to become her Court Philosopher. Though he was the world’s leading philosopher, his life had by this point fallen apart. He was 53, penniless, living in exile in Amsterdam, alone. With much trepidation but not much choice, he arrived in Stockholm in mid-October.
Shortly thereafter he was dead.
Pneumonia, they said. But who could believe that? There were just too many persons of interest who wanted to see Descartes dead, and for too many reasons. That so many of these persons were in Stockholm—thanks to the Gala the Queen was throwing to celebrate the end of the terrible Thirty Years' War—made the official story all the less plausible. Death by poisoning was the unofficial word on the cobblestone.
Enter Adrien Baillet. A likeable misfit with a mysterious backstory, he arrives just as the French Ambassador desperately needs an impartial Frenchman to prove that Descartes died of natural causes—lest the “murder” in Lutheran Sweden of France’s great Catholic philosopher trigger colicky French boy-King Louis XIV to reignite that awful War. Baillet hesitatingly agrees to investigate Descartes’s death, knowing that if—or when—he screws up, he could be personally responsible for the War’s Thirty-First Year.
But solving the mystery of Descartes’s death (Baillet soon learns) requires first solving the mystery of Descartes’s life, with all its dangerous secrets ... None of it is easy, as nearly everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted. Nor does it help that he must do it all under the menacing gaze of Carolus Zolindius, the terrifying Swedish Chancellor with the strangely intimidating limp.
But Baillet somehow perseveres, surprising everyone as he figures it all out—all the way to the explosive end.
504 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2017
5 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Pessin
21 books60 followersAndrew Pessin is Professor of Philosophy at Connecticut College, with degrees from Yale and Columbia, and author of four novels—and portrayed “The Genius” on the Late Show with David Letterman (link below). Author of many academic works and philosophical works for a general audience, his book, "Uncommon Sense: The Strangest Ideas from the Smartest Philosophers," was named an “Outstanding Academic Title of 2013” by Choice. In recent years he has published four novels. "The Second Daughter," written under the pen name J. Jeffrey—read the novel to find out why the pen name!—was a Semi-Finalist in Literary Fiction at The Kindle Book Review Book awards, and he greatly enjoyed meeting (either in person or by video link) with the many bookclubs that adopted it. His novel, "The Irrationalist," is an historical murder mystery based on the tragic life and mysterious death of the famous philosopher, René Descartes. "Nevergreen" is an academic satire examining cancel culture and the ideological excesses that generate it, and "Bright College Years" aims to capture the essence of the college experience. In his spare time Pessin composes and can occasionally be coaxed to perform amusing philosophy songs. For more information, visit www.andrewpessin.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 6, 2017
The Mystery Of Descartes
Every introductory student of philosophy meets Rene Descartes (1596 -- 1650) and his Meditations. Descartes is often regarded as the founder of modern philosophy, and generations of subsequent thinkers have struggled to free themselves from his influence. Typically in introductory or even upper-level philosophy courses, little attention is given to Descartes' life. Different views are possible about the relationship of biography to philosophy. Martin Heidegger is said to have introduced Aristotle to his students by noting that "he was born, he lived, and he died."
Andrew Pessin is both a gifted philosopher and a novelist. As a philosopher, he has a knack for writing for a popular audience, an ability which is invaluable in telling a story. His new novel, "The Irrationalist" is based on the life of Descartes and on the possibility, raised in some recent scholarly literature, that Descartes was murdered while in Sweden rather than dying of natural causes as in the usual account. I have come to know Pessin personally through Amazon. He sent me "The Irrationalist" for review (although I also purchased the book). Some years ago, Pessin had sent me some of his other books which I also reviewed here. We share a philosophical background ,and Pessin was kind enough to offer astute comments on some of my own writing. Among other things, we exchanged comments on the role of biography in studying a philosopher. (This information is offered for its inherent interest and relevance to "The Irrationalist" and by way of fair disclosure, for what it is worth.)
Pessin's "The Irrationalist" combines literary genres. The book owes a great deal to the genre of American crime fiction. There is an apparent crime, a multitude of suspects and a bumbling detective who tries to find out what happened. In a good book of this genre, the reader learns as much about the detective and his or her character as about the crime. In "The Irrationalist", the investigator is a Jesuit of no particular intellectual distinction named Baillet. He is not a detective by training, but through grit, perseverance, and luck he works to learn about Descartes and his fate, In the process, he comes to a fuller understanding of himself.
The book is also a historical novel with Descartes at its center. During his lifetime, Descartes was more known as a mathematician and natural scientist than as a philosopher. (Disciplinary lines, of course, were blurred at the time.) Baillet observes, in common with many detectives in novels, that to understand an apparent murder one must understand the life of the victim. Pessin shows the reader a great deal of Descartes, much more than will be apparent from a study of the Meditations or other philosophical writings. He lead a checkered, sometimes violent life with many enemies. He had a mistress and fathered a child. He moved around Europe during his lifetime until called to Sweden during his final year where he died. Pessin has placed Descartes within his era. Again, this frequently is not done, or done insufficiently, in philosophy courses. The book describes the ongoing wars between Catholics and Protestants, the growth of interest in science and mathematics, and what appears to be near-universal corruption and scheming. "The Irrationalist" also is a philosophical novel in its discussion of Descartes' dream and vision about unifying science and philosophy and about how his philosophical writings endeavored to realize his vision. Pessin uses his gifts as a novelist and as a dramatist of character to avoid technical philosophical writing in a novel. There is an ultimate irony in the novel, reflected in its title, that a genius such as Descartes devoted to reason and to the life of the mind should lead such a varied, emotionally charged, and ultimately irrational life. There is more than a small lesson here for those thinking about Descartes and Cartesianism.
The novel reads well, with a snappy punchy style. There are good characterizations of many people and of the powerful and of the weak of the era. Violence, death and deceit hover over the book. The settings move back and forth in time and place between Sweden, where Descartes met his demise, and other scenes in Descartes' life. I enjoyed Pessin's depiction of the Rosicrucian Order n the book. Rosicrucianism has a long history that has interested me over the years. The suspense aspect of the book is not fully maintained throughout but builds to a crescendo in the work's final scenes. The book may be a little long for crime fiction and probably a touch too ambitious in its many themes. But "The Irrationalist" held my attention, told its story well, and was both thoughtful and entertaining.
This book helped me see Descartes in a new way. As indicated, I though of the American genre of crime fiction, but I also thought of the much lesser explored type of writing of novels about philosophers. The novels by psychiatrist Irvin Yalom about Spinoza, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche and the novel about Wittgenstein by Bruce Duffy came to mind as I read. The primary appeal of the book will be to readers with an interest in philosophy and historical fiction. But with the crime and suspense, Pessin's novel will also be entertaining and rewarding to a broad audience, including book groups seeking an unusual, mind-engaging read.
Robin Friedman
Every introductory student of philosophy meets Rene Descartes (1596 -- 1650) and his Meditations. Descartes is often regarded as the founder of modern philosophy, and generations of subsequent thinkers have struggled to free themselves from his influence. Typically in introductory or even upper-level philosophy courses, little attention is given to Descartes' life. Different views are possible about the relationship of biography to philosophy. Martin Heidegger is said to have introduced Aristotle to his students by noting that "he was born, he lived, and he died."
Andrew Pessin is both a gifted philosopher and a novelist. As a philosopher, he has a knack for writing for a popular audience, an ability which is invaluable in telling a story. His new novel, "The Irrationalist" is based on the life of Descartes and on the possibility, raised in some recent scholarly literature, that Descartes was murdered while in Sweden rather than dying of natural causes as in the usual account. I have come to know Pessin personally through Amazon. He sent me "The Irrationalist" for review (although I also purchased the book). Some years ago, Pessin had sent me some of his other books which I also reviewed here. We share a philosophical background ,and Pessin was kind enough to offer astute comments on some of my own writing. Among other things, we exchanged comments on the role of biography in studying a philosopher. (This information is offered for its inherent interest and relevance to "The Irrationalist" and by way of fair disclosure, for what it is worth.)
Pessin's "The Irrationalist" combines literary genres. The book owes a great deal to the genre of American crime fiction. There is an apparent crime, a multitude of suspects and a bumbling detective who tries to find out what happened. In a good book of this genre, the reader learns as much about the detective and his or her character as about the crime. In "The Irrationalist", the investigator is a Jesuit of no particular intellectual distinction named Baillet. He is not a detective by training, but through grit, perseverance, and luck he works to learn about Descartes and his fate, In the process, he comes to a fuller understanding of himself.
The book is also a historical novel with Descartes at its center. During his lifetime, Descartes was more known as a mathematician and natural scientist than as a philosopher. (Disciplinary lines, of course, were blurred at the time.) Baillet observes, in common with many detectives in novels, that to understand an apparent murder one must understand the life of the victim. Pessin shows the reader a great deal of Descartes, much more than will be apparent from a study of the Meditations or other philosophical writings. He lead a checkered, sometimes violent life with many enemies. He had a mistress and fathered a child. He moved around Europe during his lifetime until called to Sweden during his final year where he died. Pessin has placed Descartes within his era. Again, this frequently is not done, or done insufficiently, in philosophy courses. The book describes the ongoing wars between Catholics and Protestants, the growth of interest in science and mathematics, and what appears to be near-universal corruption and scheming. "The Irrationalist" also is a philosophical novel in its discussion of Descartes' dream and vision about unifying science and philosophy and about how his philosophical writings endeavored to realize his vision. Pessin uses his gifts as a novelist and as a dramatist of character to avoid technical philosophical writing in a novel. There is an ultimate irony in the novel, reflected in its title, that a genius such as Descartes devoted to reason and to the life of the mind should lead such a varied, emotionally charged, and ultimately irrational life. There is more than a small lesson here for those thinking about Descartes and Cartesianism.
The novel reads well, with a snappy punchy style. There are good characterizations of many people and of the powerful and of the weak of the era. Violence, death and deceit hover over the book. The settings move back and forth in time and place between Sweden, where Descartes met his demise, and other scenes in Descartes' life. I enjoyed Pessin's depiction of the Rosicrucian Order n the book. Rosicrucianism has a long history that has interested me over the years. The suspense aspect of the book is not fully maintained throughout but builds to a crescendo in the work's final scenes. The book may be a little long for crime fiction and probably a touch too ambitious in its many themes. But "The Irrationalist" held my attention, told its story well, and was both thoughtful and entertaining.
This book helped me see Descartes in a new way. As indicated, I though of the American genre of crime fiction, but I also thought of the much lesser explored type of writing of novels about philosophers. The novels by psychiatrist Irvin Yalom about Spinoza, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche and the novel about Wittgenstein by Bruce Duffy came to mind as I read. The primary appeal of the book will be to readers with an interest in philosophy and historical fiction. But with the crime and suspense, Pessin's novel will also be entertaining and rewarding to a broad audience, including book groups seeking an unusual, mind-engaging read.
Robin Friedman
August 13, 2018
Full review at https://jesscombs.com
Andrew Pessin’s The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of René Descartes is a wonderful blending of historical fiction, murder mystery, and humor to create a story that is almost impossible to put down!
The story begins with a sad voyage by Adrien Baillet to Sweden. Baillet is a reluctant priest being sent away from the only home he can remember to represent his institution to the “most powerful government in Europe.” This might not sound remarkable, but immediately I was like, “huh?”
Baillet isn’t who you’d pick to represent you or your organization in anything! Especially not in important matters… Baillet’s own description is this:
He was in his early thirties – he didn’t know exactly how old – and had lived nearly his whole life first under the care of, and now taking care of, Rector Charlet. The good man had tried to make something of him, without much success. Baillet failed to do much academically, unable to distinguish himself in any subject at the college except swordsmanship, and even there his distinction was merely being the only boy to serve as live target dummy for the fencing classes.
Jesuit’s were expected to be smart, imposing, able to defend themselves and defeat their enemies when necessary (by brain or brawn didn’t matter). This is what everyone Baillet came in contact with expected of him, and they were all sorely disappointed! His mantra seemed to be “Perhaps if I had applied myself…”
When he arrives in Sweden, he is tasked with investigating the mysterious death of René Descartes. The official report needed to be that he had died of natural causes in order to stop the rumors spreading that Descartes had been murdered.
But Baillet’s job isn’t easy… EVERYONE is a suspect. EVERYONE has a motive. It’s like the list of possible suspects never ends!!
Was it the paranoid librarian, Freinsheimus? Or Descartes’ valet, Schluter? What about Doctor Wullens, Père Viogué or Former Predekant Voetius? His own brother, Pierre? The Chancellor himself, Zolindius? Someone else??? Bramer, perhaps?
I was still trying to piece it all together and figure out who did it and why at the very end… which has a twist that had me ready to re-read the entire book right that moment! Then I felt like a fool for not figuring it out myself!
As Baillet is constantly reminded by those he’s investigating… “Trust no one.” I should’ve listened. The answers were all there!
You might expect a book about a murder in the 1600’s to be all seriousness, but The Irrationalist is comical in both it’s dry and not-so-dry humor. Baillet bumbles his way through much of the investigation and his suspects pretty much do the investigating for him. He learns a lot though and comes out a different person at the end.
While the book is titled The Tragic Murder of René Descartes, it’s also about the tragic life and transformation of Adrien Baillet.
I definitely recommend picking this up if you enjoy historical fiction and/or murder mysteries!
Andrew Pessin’s The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of René Descartes is a wonderful blending of historical fiction, murder mystery, and humor to create a story that is almost impossible to put down!
The story begins with a sad voyage by Adrien Baillet to Sweden. Baillet is a reluctant priest being sent away from the only home he can remember to represent his institution to the “most powerful government in Europe.” This might not sound remarkable, but immediately I was like, “huh?”
Baillet isn’t who you’d pick to represent you or your organization in anything! Especially not in important matters… Baillet’s own description is this:
He was in his early thirties – he didn’t know exactly how old – and had lived nearly his whole life first under the care of, and now taking care of, Rector Charlet. The good man had tried to make something of him, without much success. Baillet failed to do much academically, unable to distinguish himself in any subject at the college except swordsmanship, and even there his distinction was merely being the only boy to serve as live target dummy for the fencing classes.
Jesuit’s were expected to be smart, imposing, able to defend themselves and defeat their enemies when necessary (by brain or brawn didn’t matter). This is what everyone Baillet came in contact with expected of him, and they were all sorely disappointed! His mantra seemed to be “Perhaps if I had applied myself…”
When he arrives in Sweden, he is tasked with investigating the mysterious death of René Descartes. The official report needed to be that he had died of natural causes in order to stop the rumors spreading that Descartes had been murdered.
But Baillet’s job isn’t easy… EVERYONE is a suspect. EVERYONE has a motive. It’s like the list of possible suspects never ends!!
Was it the paranoid librarian, Freinsheimus? Or Descartes’ valet, Schluter? What about Doctor Wullens, Père Viogué or Former Predekant Voetius? His own brother, Pierre? The Chancellor himself, Zolindius? Someone else??? Bramer, perhaps?
I was still trying to piece it all together and figure out who did it and why at the very end… which has a twist that had me ready to re-read the entire book right that moment! Then I felt like a fool for not figuring it out myself!
As Baillet is constantly reminded by those he’s investigating… “Trust no one.” I should’ve listened. The answers were all there!
You might expect a book about a murder in the 1600’s to be all seriousness, but The Irrationalist is comical in both it’s dry and not-so-dry humor. Baillet bumbles his way through much of the investigation and his suspects pretty much do the investigating for him. He learns a lot though and comes out a different person at the end.
While the book is titled The Tragic Murder of René Descartes, it’s also about the tragic life and transformation of Adrien Baillet.
I definitely recommend picking this up if you enjoy historical fiction and/or murder mysteries!
April 8, 2020
In 1649, the philosopher-mathematician René Descartes was invited by the young Queen of Sweden to become her Court Philosopher. Soon after his arrival, in early 1650, Descartes died, ostensibly of natural causes – or could perhaps it have been murder?
In his novel, The Irrationalist, the author (and philosopher) Andrew Pessin has taken the theory that Descartes may indeed have been assassinated, and woven the story of Descartes life together with the investigation into his death into complex, moving, and highly enjoyable historical murder mystery – for as his initially bumbling investigator, Adrien Baillet, comes to realise, to understand a murder one must first understand the life of the victim.
And it is not just the mystery of Descartes’ death with which the novel concerns itself. There are multiple mysteries at play in The Irrationalist, not least the mystery of investigator Adrien Baillet himself. Adrien Baillet is a Jesuit of no distinction, who does not know why he has been chosen to travel to a bitterly cold and very snowy Stockholm to conduct the investigation, who cannot really comprehend his place in the world, and has no idea who his parents were as he had been delivered an orphan to the Jesuit school at a very young age. But, if Baillet seems the most unlikely of investigators – as much to himself as to anyone else – as the novel proceeds he comes to surprise both us and himself by never giving up, no matter how many potential suspects he is presented with, no matter how many motives there might be for Descartes’ murder, no matter how many threats he might receive to discontinue the investigation, and especially no matter how cold Stockholm is in the February of 1650 or how bad the food is.
Okay, so I have to admit for the first 50 pages of this novel I wasn’t sure quite what I was reading. Not only was Adrien Baillet a most unlikely investigator – his uncertainty generated much uncertainty in myself – but The Irrationalist is not a standard murder mystery. It tells the story not just of Baillet’s investigation but also the story of the life of Descartes: two separate time lines that the reader is meant to follow at the same time. Moreover, the years of Descartes’ adulthood coincided with that of the Thirty Years War in Europe, where first Catholics and Protestants and then Europe’s great powers were at each other’s throats, the war leaving in its wake possibly up to eight million dead from violence, famine and plague. So I expected a much darker tone from the novel and was very surprised to find that not only did Andrew Pessin exhibit a very light touch with his writing but that he had liberally sprinkled his writing with much wit and humour.
So, The Name of the Rose (by Umberto Eco) this book is not. The Irrationalist is in no way a challenging read – except in that the reader is challenged to try to figure out the many mysteries the story presents. The writing is extremely straightforward and lucid – and that, in my opinion, is all to the good. In fact, once I had come to grips with the tone and rhythm of the novel, I found myself thoroughly absorbed in both of the timelines and having a great deal of fun. There is philosophy/mathematics within the text but not enough to frighten anybody. What we are really dealing with here is not the philosophy of rationalism as espoused by Descartes but (as is more than hinted at in the title of the novel) the irrationality of a man’s life: the fears, desires, jealousies, ambitions, tragedies etc. that drive a man to do what he does – an irrationality that the novel form is particularly suited to describe.
Apart from all the humour and the wit, Andrew Pessin also demonstrates real skill and emotional sensitivity in his handling of the often difficult interactions between Descartes and all the people (and dogs) he meets along the way – as well as in the evolution of Adrien Baillet from bumbling investigator to a man with a solid and intelligent purpose.
The Irrationalist is a long book but I never felt it too long or that it dragged in any way. It could – and possibly should? – have been longer. The ending seemed to come upon me a bit sharp and fast. The ending could have been more detailed – perhaps more indulgent. I read in another review that an earlier draft of the novel had been twice the size. I think I might have liked to read that draft! I also noticed a couple of odd, anachronistic words such as ‘vibe’ that had crept into the text, though these words amused me more than lifted me out of the story. I just assumed the words were used intentionally, that Andrew Pessin was just having fun, just messing with my head….
All in all, The Irrationalist is a fantastic novel. It succeeds as a mystery (or a succession of mysteries) which had me guessing (in most respects!) right until the very end. It also succeeds – and this is the novel’s greatest strength, I feel – in giving a full emotional life to Descartes, in making him a fully-fleshed human being; as irrational, despite his espoused philosophy, as any and every one of us.
Great fun, very educational, and highly recommended.
In his novel, The Irrationalist, the author (and philosopher) Andrew Pessin has taken the theory that Descartes may indeed have been assassinated, and woven the story of Descartes life together with the investigation into his death into complex, moving, and highly enjoyable historical murder mystery – for as his initially bumbling investigator, Adrien Baillet, comes to realise, to understand a murder one must first understand the life of the victim.
And it is not just the mystery of Descartes’ death with which the novel concerns itself. There are multiple mysteries at play in The Irrationalist, not least the mystery of investigator Adrien Baillet himself. Adrien Baillet is a Jesuit of no distinction, who does not know why he has been chosen to travel to a bitterly cold and very snowy Stockholm to conduct the investigation, who cannot really comprehend his place in the world, and has no idea who his parents were as he had been delivered an orphan to the Jesuit school at a very young age. But, if Baillet seems the most unlikely of investigators – as much to himself as to anyone else – as the novel proceeds he comes to surprise both us and himself by never giving up, no matter how many potential suspects he is presented with, no matter how many motives there might be for Descartes’ murder, no matter how many threats he might receive to discontinue the investigation, and especially no matter how cold Stockholm is in the February of 1650 or how bad the food is.
Okay, so I have to admit for the first 50 pages of this novel I wasn’t sure quite what I was reading. Not only was Adrien Baillet a most unlikely investigator – his uncertainty generated much uncertainty in myself – but The Irrationalist is not a standard murder mystery. It tells the story not just of Baillet’s investigation but also the story of the life of Descartes: two separate time lines that the reader is meant to follow at the same time. Moreover, the years of Descartes’ adulthood coincided with that of the Thirty Years War in Europe, where first Catholics and Protestants and then Europe’s great powers were at each other’s throats, the war leaving in its wake possibly up to eight million dead from violence, famine and plague. So I expected a much darker tone from the novel and was very surprised to find that not only did Andrew Pessin exhibit a very light touch with his writing but that he had liberally sprinkled his writing with much wit and humour.
So, The Name of the Rose (by Umberto Eco) this book is not. The Irrationalist is in no way a challenging read – except in that the reader is challenged to try to figure out the many mysteries the story presents. The writing is extremely straightforward and lucid – and that, in my opinion, is all to the good. In fact, once I had come to grips with the tone and rhythm of the novel, I found myself thoroughly absorbed in both of the timelines and having a great deal of fun. There is philosophy/mathematics within the text but not enough to frighten anybody. What we are really dealing with here is not the philosophy of rationalism as espoused by Descartes but (as is more than hinted at in the title of the novel) the irrationality of a man’s life: the fears, desires, jealousies, ambitions, tragedies etc. that drive a man to do what he does – an irrationality that the novel form is particularly suited to describe.
Apart from all the humour and the wit, Andrew Pessin also demonstrates real skill and emotional sensitivity in his handling of the often difficult interactions between Descartes and all the people (and dogs) he meets along the way – as well as in the evolution of Adrien Baillet from bumbling investigator to a man with a solid and intelligent purpose.
The Irrationalist is a long book but I never felt it too long or that it dragged in any way. It could – and possibly should? – have been longer. The ending seemed to come upon me a bit sharp and fast. The ending could have been more detailed – perhaps more indulgent. I read in another review that an earlier draft of the novel had been twice the size. I think I might have liked to read that draft! I also noticed a couple of odd, anachronistic words such as ‘vibe’ that had crept into the text, though these words amused me more than lifted me out of the story. I just assumed the words were used intentionally, that Andrew Pessin was just having fun, just messing with my head….
All in all, The Irrationalist is a fantastic novel. It succeeds as a mystery (or a succession of mysteries) which had me guessing (in most respects!) right until the very end. It also succeeds – and this is the novel’s greatest strength, I feel – in giving a full emotional life to Descartes, in making him a fully-fleshed human being; as irrational, despite his espoused philosophy, as any and every one of us.
Great fun, very educational, and highly recommended.
February 25, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review.*
I wasn’t feeling the beginning of this–it’s incredibly slow and suffers from a lot of info dumping. I wasn’t really sure what the point of the book was for a good 50 pages of it. Also, the main character seemed too bumbling and clueless for me. I understand why he works for the story to be revealed the way it does, but I just wasn’t feeling it. There’s also way too many suspicious characters who seem super shady for me to have really gotten into the mystery part of it. The way I saw it, it didn’t really matter who killed Descartes since they all seemed pretty guilty.
However, once the story properly got started, I enjoyed myself. There are a lot of twists and reveals that the reader can guess at once more information is given near the middle of the book, and that’s where a lot of the action picks up. The intrigue itself is quite good and there’s quite a twist at the end.
However, the part that shone for me and that I really enjoyed was Rene Descartes’s backstory. Once Pessin goes into the history of France and the area, the context of the time Descartes lived in, and his experience at school, I was hooked. More than anything, this book made me want to pick up biographies of Rene Descartes just to learn more about him. I was a little disappointed to get back to the proper storyline, but that interest in Rene Descartes helped get me to the end, which was quite good.
Overall, Pessin does a good job in connecting true historical events and weaving an interesting tale around Descartes and his murder. While the thriller aspects seemed a bit off to me, I did enjoy the overall story.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
I wasn’t feeling the beginning of this–it’s incredibly slow and suffers from a lot of info dumping. I wasn’t really sure what the point of the book was for a good 50 pages of it. Also, the main character seemed too bumbling and clueless for me. I understand why he works for the story to be revealed the way it does, but I just wasn’t feeling it. There’s also way too many suspicious characters who seem super shady for me to have really gotten into the mystery part of it. The way I saw it, it didn’t really matter who killed Descartes since they all seemed pretty guilty.
However, once the story properly got started, I enjoyed myself. There are a lot of twists and reveals that the reader can guess at once more information is given near the middle of the book, and that’s where a lot of the action picks up. The intrigue itself is quite good and there’s quite a twist at the end.
However, the part that shone for me and that I really enjoyed was Rene Descartes’s backstory. Once Pessin goes into the history of France and the area, the context of the time Descartes lived in, and his experience at school, I was hooked. More than anything, this book made me want to pick up biographies of Rene Descartes just to learn more about him. I was a little disappointed to get back to the proper storyline, but that interest in Rene Descartes helped get me to the end, which was quite good.
Overall, Pessin does a good job in connecting true historical events and weaving an interesting tale around Descartes and his murder. While the thriller aspects seemed a bit off to me, I did enjoy the overall story.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
November 21, 2017
My book club had the opportunity to have Andrew Pessin, author of The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder or Rene Descartes, join us during November’s meeting. Having the author present may at times limit the discussion (or at least its honesty), but I do not believe this was the case during our conversation with Andrew.
Overall, those of us at the meeting enjoyed The Irrationalist, as much for the mystery as the opportunity to learn more about Descartes and the times in which he lived. Pere Baillet, the protagonist, was a sympathetic character – one could almost say that he was a more than appropriate foil to Descartes. Since none of us there was particularly versed in mathematics or philosophy, The Irrationalist provided an opportunity to learn about both disciplines at the same time as we watched the mystery unfold.
We did, however, all mention that the novel ran long, and it was difficult at times to keep track of the multiple timelines in the novel. It was surprising to hear that the original draft was twice as long. It was helpful to hear Andrew talk about how he chose which parts to cut, and the work it took to ensure that consistency was not compromised. Additionally, we did point out some linguistic anachronisms that we felt interrupted the flow of the narrative given its seeming fidelity to history.
If you are a fan of historical mysteries, The Irrationalist definitely falls squarely in that genre. The level of historical detail is impressive, especially given the multiple time periods it covers, and the blending of the historical and fictional was well done. The novel is, as pointed out earlier, a lengthy read, but it all comes together at the end for a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, those of us at the meeting enjoyed The Irrationalist, as much for the mystery as the opportunity to learn more about Descartes and the times in which he lived. Pere Baillet, the protagonist, was a sympathetic character – one could almost say that he was a more than appropriate foil to Descartes. Since none of us there was particularly versed in mathematics or philosophy, The Irrationalist provided an opportunity to learn about both disciplines at the same time as we watched the mystery unfold.
We did, however, all mention that the novel ran long, and it was difficult at times to keep track of the multiple timelines in the novel. It was surprising to hear that the original draft was twice as long. It was helpful to hear Andrew talk about how he chose which parts to cut, and the work it took to ensure that consistency was not compromised. Additionally, we did point out some linguistic anachronisms that we felt interrupted the flow of the narrative given its seeming fidelity to history.
If you are a fan of historical mysteries, The Irrationalist definitely falls squarely in that genre. The level of historical detail is impressive, especially given the multiple time periods it covers, and the blending of the historical and fictional was well done. The novel is, as pointed out earlier, a lengthy read, but it all comes together at the end for a satisfying conclusion.
August 20, 2018
Set in Europe in the 1600s, The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of Rene Descartes is an overlong but enthralling mystery.
Told from the point of view of Adrien, a Jesuit sent by his church to investigate Descartes’ death. As the amateur sleuth finds a multitude of suspects, the book quickly becomes a mystery set in an unusual environment, the court of Sweden’s Queen Christina.
Most thrillers are relatively short around 350 pages to keep the action exciting. The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of Rene Descartes is much longer at 508 pages. Adding in all the historical details takes a few pages, I get it. However, once past the length, the story draws the reader into a different time and place. There are few books so good at making you totally forget your own problems (and occasionally to eat). In addition, you will learn quite a bit about history and philosophy though I don’t know enough to know what is fact and what is fiction. This book is highly recommended to historical fiction fans. For thriller fans, probably not as much. It would make a good public television mini-series. 4 stars!
I received an electronic copy of the book from Online Book Club but that in no way impacted my honest review.
Told from the point of view of Adrien, a Jesuit sent by his church to investigate Descartes’ death. As the amateur sleuth finds a multitude of suspects, the book quickly becomes a mystery set in an unusual environment, the court of Sweden’s Queen Christina.
Most thrillers are relatively short around 350 pages to keep the action exciting. The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of Rene Descartes is much longer at 508 pages. Adding in all the historical details takes a few pages, I get it. However, once past the length, the story draws the reader into a different time and place. There are few books so good at making you totally forget your own problems (and occasionally to eat). In addition, you will learn quite a bit about history and philosophy though I don’t know enough to know what is fact and what is fiction. This book is highly recommended to historical fiction fans. For thriller fans, probably not as much. It would make a good public television mini-series. 4 stars!
I received an electronic copy of the book from Online Book Club but that in no way impacted my honest review.
April 1, 2018
The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of René Descartes was a lot of fun. It's a tightly plotted historical mystery surrounding the vaguely suspicious death of Descartes. Written with a lovely prose interspersed with hilarious irreverence, it's a joy to read despite the length. Baillet makes for a fascinating protagonist, and while I had guessed at some of the questionable identities, I was for the most part shocked by each reveal. Pessin does a great job of misleading the reader while also making the reveals obvious as they happen, so the reader never feels fooled nor like rolling their eyes at these twists. A very enjoyable way to spend a long weekend. It is very much a mystery for readers who prefer something clever and informative as well as engaging. Not at all a thriller, but a real mystery that keeps the reader hooked nearly from page one.
December 5, 2018
The Irrationalist is basically a historical murder mystery using individuals who really existed in the time when they lived. Rene Descartes was a well known mathematician and philosopher and in 1649 he did travel to Sweden to begin tutoring Queen Christina. In early 1650 he became ill and died shortly thereafter, the official reason being pneumonia. And while many didn’t question this outcome, some had doubts, yet once Descartes was buried the issue too was laid to rest.
This is where the similarities between what really happened and what happened in The Irrationalist ends.
Pessin does an excellent job of taking a real event and spinning a “what if…?” tale from it. His characters – all either real people or based on real people – are interesting and just when one thinks they have a grasp of the person, a proverbial wrench is thrown in the works. Pessin has done his research and does admirably in making sure that everyone is well rounded and their inclusion helps push the story along.
The tightly woven plot is really what makes this book stand out. To the casual observer, Descartes’ death seems very clear cut, but it is only when one starts to dig do they realize that not everything is as it seems. And in trying to figure out who would want to kill the man, every one has a reason. And again, just when the reader believes they know who the culprit was, Pessin gives a piece of information that casts doubt. It isn’t until the very, very end that we are given the truth about what happened to Descartes and if his death was indeed natural causes.
This is the first work of fiction by Pessin, and in my opinion it is an very good start. I would not be surprised if he continues to write more like this and when he does, I will be checking them out as well. I recommend my readers do too.
August 8, 2017
Historical fiction is unique in several ways. In particular, while all fiction -- at least good fiction -- requires imagination and intelligence, historical fiction, according to bestselling author Alexander Chee, deals with "the plausibly hypothetical" and describes "what might have happened within what happened." The constraints of real events, people and ways of life often mean, to paraphrase Longfellow, that when historical fiction is good, it's very good, but when it's bad it is horrid. Andrew Pessin's
The Irrationalist: The Tragic Murder of René Descartes
clearly is in the former category.
Built around the Thirty Years War and its surrounding religious conflicts, the book is an intelligent and entertaining contemplation of some "what ifs" in Descartes' life. Pessin, a Connecticut College philosophy professor who's written or edited several books about philosophy, combines fact, speculation and imagination in crafting the two narratives that culminate in an adeptly crafted revelation. One follows Descartes' 1650 death in Sweden, where he moved the year before at the invitation of Christina, the queen of Sweden. The other starts with his birth in 1596 and brings the reader to the beginning of the first narrative.
With the latter, Pessin provides insight into the man rightfully recognized as a philosopher (often called the first modern rationalist) and mathematician (introducing Cartesian geometry, among other things) and scientist. By using and examining almost ordinary points in Descartes' life and his reclusiveness, The Irrationalist humanizes him. "He was," Pessin writes, "a man who could do a half-dozen calculations in his head simultaneously but he had not yet mastered how to navigate a world filled with actual human beings." The book also pursues the lingering conjecture that Descartes was associated with the Brothers of the Rosy Cross, a forerunner of today's Rosicrucians. The secret group sought to synthesize esoteric knowledge and symbols with science and math to gain a complete understanding of nature. Pessin also observes, though, that in those efforts "it was apparently also necessary to say some nasty things about the Pope and occasionally also Luther and Calvin."
The postmortem tale is a mystery (two, actually) coming on the heels of the Peace of Westphalia, which helped make Sweden a great power. It is told from the perspective of Adrien Baillet, the historical figure with whom Pessin takes the most liberty. The real Baillet was a French priest, scholar and librarian who wrote the first biography of Descartes. Here, he is a rather inept errand boy and assistant for the now-retired rector of the Jesuit college in France that Descartes attended years before. For some reason, Baillet, who is not a priest, is sent to Stockholm to represent the Jesuits at a gala being held by Queen Christina. Descartes dies the morning Baillet arrives.
History has it that Descartes died of pneumonia. More recently, there's been suggestions Descartes actually was assassinated. In The Irrationalist rumors to that effect surface immediately. The French ambassador to Sweden asks Baillet to investigate, even though he lacks any relevant experience. Baillet's pursuit of his unwelcome task ultimately provides two twists, one under the surface from the beginning and the other perhaps cognizable only to those with in-depth knowledge of Descartes' life.
The book is generally well-paced, although there are occasionally scenes that seem superfluous. The writing makes the book a pleasure to read and Passin avoids obvious anachronisms. The skilled research and writing, though, makes one gaffe almost painfully conspicuous. In the same sentence, Pessin writes that Baillet got a "vibe" from a window, producing a "creepy" feeling. The latter term didn't come into use for another 140 years while it would be more than 300 years before "vibe" gained the meaning for which it is used.
Regardless, the book is both strong and engaging. Pessin crafts time and place in a fashion that transports readers to and lets them become immersed in the story. His attention to detail in that regard and in drawing the characters -- not just Baillet and Descartes -- exhibits command of elements that create exceptional historical fiction. A reader leaves not only satisfied but understanding more about Descartes and his time.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
Built around the Thirty Years War and its surrounding religious conflicts, the book is an intelligent and entertaining contemplation of some "what ifs" in Descartes' life. Pessin, a Connecticut College philosophy professor who's written or edited several books about philosophy, combines fact, speculation and imagination in crafting the two narratives that culminate in an adeptly crafted revelation. One follows Descartes' 1650 death in Sweden, where he moved the year before at the invitation of Christina, the queen of Sweden. The other starts with his birth in 1596 and brings the reader to the beginning of the first narrative.
With the latter, Pessin provides insight into the man rightfully recognized as a philosopher (often called the first modern rationalist) and mathematician (introducing Cartesian geometry, among other things) and scientist. By using and examining almost ordinary points in Descartes' life and his reclusiveness, The Irrationalist humanizes him. "He was," Pessin writes, "a man who could do a half-dozen calculations in his head simultaneously but he had not yet mastered how to navigate a world filled with actual human beings." The book also pursues the lingering conjecture that Descartes was associated with the Brothers of the Rosy Cross, a forerunner of today's Rosicrucians. The secret group sought to synthesize esoteric knowledge and symbols with science and math to gain a complete understanding of nature. Pessin also observes, though, that in those efforts "it was apparently also necessary to say some nasty things about the Pope and occasionally also Luther and Calvin."
The postmortem tale is a mystery (two, actually) coming on the heels of the Peace of Westphalia, which helped make Sweden a great power. It is told from the perspective of Adrien Baillet, the historical figure with whom Pessin takes the most liberty. The real Baillet was a French priest, scholar and librarian who wrote the first biography of Descartes. Here, he is a rather inept errand boy and assistant for the now-retired rector of the Jesuit college in France that Descartes attended years before. For some reason, Baillet, who is not a priest, is sent to Stockholm to represent the Jesuits at a gala being held by Queen Christina. Descartes dies the morning Baillet arrives.
History has it that Descartes died of pneumonia. More recently, there's been suggestions Descartes actually was assassinated. In The Irrationalist rumors to that effect surface immediately. The French ambassador to Sweden asks Baillet to investigate, even though he lacks any relevant experience. Baillet's pursuit of his unwelcome task ultimately provides two twists, one under the surface from the beginning and the other perhaps cognizable only to those with in-depth knowledge of Descartes' life.
The book is generally well-paced, although there are occasionally scenes that seem superfluous. The writing makes the book a pleasure to read and Passin avoids obvious anachronisms. The skilled research and writing, though, makes one gaffe almost painfully conspicuous. In the same sentence, Pessin writes that Baillet got a "vibe" from a window, producing a "creepy" feeling. The latter term didn't come into use for another 140 years while it would be more than 300 years before "vibe" gained the meaning for which it is used.
Regardless, the book is both strong and engaging. Pessin crafts time and place in a fashion that transports readers to and lets them become immersed in the story. His attention to detail in that regard and in drawing the characters -- not just Baillet and Descartes -- exhibits command of elements that create exceptional historical fiction. A reader leaves not only satisfied but understanding more about Descartes and his time.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
July 23, 2017
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) is known as the father of modern philosophy in part for his Discourse on Method (1637), in which the famous statement ‘I think therefore I am’ can be found. As such, he has been the subject of numerous philsophical and biographical texts, but never (to my knowledge) until now the subject of a novel. Novels require a problem and the problem that compelled Andrew Pessin, professor of philosophy at Connecticut College, to fictionalize Descartes’ life is his death.
Descartes died shortly after his arrival in Stockholm, Sweden having been enticed by Queen Christina to tutor her and help her launch a new scientific academy. Some despute a lung infection as the cause of death and a recent study suggests he was poisoned by those who feared his influence on the Queen. That is the problem Pessin set out to exploit.
Readers need not fear their lack of knowledge of Descartes’ works or of 17th century Europe might interfere with their enjoyment of The Irrationalist. The novel is at its core a mystery, and like all good mysteries, the author metes out important details in a manner that keeps the reader turning the pages. In addition to telling a good story, Pessin has so mastered the details of the world Descartes inhabited that the reader never feels confused or lost.
Surprisingly, the protagonist of The Irrrationalist is not Rene Descartes, but rather a man sent to Sweden to represent his religious order and the school that Descartes attended from age 11. Adrien Baillet is an orphan who suffers from a lack of knowledge of his origins as well as a lack of confidence. When he arrives shortly after Descartes’ death, he is assigned the task of investigating the cause, or rather confirming that the cause was natural. His stubborn desire to discover the truth, an attitude which echoes Descartes’ approach to all knowledge, puts Baillet in conflict with just about everyone he encouters, including Christina’s top advisor.
Interposing fictional characters with the real, Pessin skillfully interweaves chapters focusing on Baillet’s attempts to discover the true cause of Descartes’ demise with chapters on Descartes’ life. The result is a first class historical novel.
I do have a quibble, actually two. I find fault with the novel’s title on two counts. The word “irrationalist” is so obscure a reference I’m afraid I have no idea to what or whom Pessin is refering. Further, doesn’t the subtitle, “The Tragic Murder of Rene Descartes,” give away the story? One might even question whether Descartes’ death was tragic. But don’t let those issues deter you from a very enjoyable read.
Descartes died shortly after his arrival in Stockholm, Sweden having been enticed by Queen Christina to tutor her and help her launch a new scientific academy. Some despute a lung infection as the cause of death and a recent study suggests he was poisoned by those who feared his influence on the Queen. That is the problem Pessin set out to exploit.
Readers need not fear their lack of knowledge of Descartes’ works or of 17th century Europe might interfere with their enjoyment of The Irrationalist. The novel is at its core a mystery, and like all good mysteries, the author metes out important details in a manner that keeps the reader turning the pages. In addition to telling a good story, Pessin has so mastered the details of the world Descartes inhabited that the reader never feels confused or lost.
Surprisingly, the protagonist of The Irrrationalist is not Rene Descartes, but rather a man sent to Sweden to represent his religious order and the school that Descartes attended from age 11. Adrien Baillet is an orphan who suffers from a lack of knowledge of his origins as well as a lack of confidence. When he arrives shortly after Descartes’ death, he is assigned the task of investigating the cause, or rather confirming that the cause was natural. His stubborn desire to discover the truth, an attitude which echoes Descartes’ approach to all knowledge, puts Baillet in conflict with just about everyone he encouters, including Christina’s top advisor.
Interposing fictional characters with the real, Pessin skillfully interweaves chapters focusing on Baillet’s attempts to discover the true cause of Descartes’ demise with chapters on Descartes’ life. The result is a first class historical novel.
I do have a quibble, actually two. I find fault with the novel’s title on two counts. The word “irrationalist” is so obscure a reference I’m afraid I have no idea to what or whom Pessin is refering. Further, doesn’t the subtitle, “The Tragic Murder of Rene Descartes,” give away the story? One might even question whether Descartes’ death was tragic. But don’t let those issues deter you from a very enjoyable read.
September 3, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I received a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you like historical fiction, sans romance and the required rescuing of fair maidens, then this is the book for you! It's a murder mystery about one of the more famous men of European history, the philosopher, René Descartes.
For untold years, it has been accepted, more or less, that Descartes did in fact die of pneumonia his first winter in Stockholm. Rumors also have abounded that he was murdered.
Andrew Pessin has taken history, and rumors, and combined them into a most enjoyable, and plausible, read. This is, primarily, a murder mystery. It isn't an adrenaline gusher, though there are a couple of times it comes close. It is the story of a young, sickly René, raised by the Jesuits who has a penchant for mathematics and not much else. It is also the story of another young boy who is the 'house boy' and René's "servant." Due to his lack of money, this young boy is self-taught, and he is every bit as much of a genius as René. Perhaps more so.
Sometimes the modern language in the dialog is a bit jarring, but not much, and I'm pretty sure the locals of the time had equivalent words. The flashbacks were superbly done, and the end of the book nicely tied all the sub-plots and mini-mysteries together. One does not need to be a student of philosophy to enjoy this book.
Well written with believable characters I would actually enjoy meeting. I highly recommend The Irrationalist to anyone who enjoys literary fiction, historical fiction, or murder mysteries.
If you like historical fiction, sans romance and the required rescuing of fair maidens, then this is the book for you! It's a murder mystery about one of the more famous men of European history, the philosopher, René Descartes.
For untold years, it has been accepted, more or less, that Descartes did in fact die of pneumonia his first winter in Stockholm. Rumors also have abounded that he was murdered.
Andrew Pessin has taken history, and rumors, and combined them into a most enjoyable, and plausible, read. This is, primarily, a murder mystery. It isn't an adrenaline gusher, though there are a couple of times it comes close. It is the story of a young, sickly René, raised by the Jesuits who has a penchant for mathematics and not much else. It is also the story of another young boy who is the 'house boy' and René's "servant." Due to his lack of money, this young boy is self-taught, and he is every bit as much of a genius as René. Perhaps more so.
Sometimes the modern language in the dialog is a bit jarring, but not much, and I'm pretty sure the locals of the time had equivalent words. The flashbacks were superbly done, and the end of the book nicely tied all the sub-plots and mini-mysteries together. One does not need to be a student of philosophy to enjoy this book.
Well written with believable characters I would actually enjoy meeting. I highly recommend The Irrationalist to anyone who enjoys literary fiction, historical fiction, or murder mysteries.
August 18, 2017
I received a copy of this book to review for a magazine I write for. I was familiar with Descartes the mathematician, rather than Descartes the philosopher, and I knew nothing about his life prior to reading this book. I was afraid that the novel might be dry - and I was pleasantly surprised that it was anything but! This is a great historical fiction novel, as well as a gripping mystery. The author's descriptions are vivid and detailed, transporting the reader back to 17th century Sweden (and France) and weaving a rich tapestry as the backdrop to Descartes' remarkable life.
The book opens with a murder, and as the reader delves into the story, the mystery deepens as we learn more about Descartes. The historical details seem to be quite accurate, and the author's note at the end provides more information and resources for those who are interested in learning more. There is humor in the book as well as sadness, and while Descartes is both a genius and somewhat tragic, the Jesuit priest investigating his death provides a nice counterpoint, since he is a bit bumbling, but also quite likable.
I would recommend this book to fans of murder mysteries and historical fiction, whether or not they have an interest in learning more about Rene Descartes. Like the best historical novels, this book is primarily a great story that takes place in an actual time and place. You will learn something, and you'll enjoy doing it.
The book opens with a murder, and as the reader delves into the story, the mystery deepens as we learn more about Descartes. The historical details seem to be quite accurate, and the author's note at the end provides more information and resources for those who are interested in learning more. There is humor in the book as well as sadness, and while Descartes is both a genius and somewhat tragic, the Jesuit priest investigating his death provides a nice counterpoint, since he is a bit bumbling, but also quite likable.
I would recommend this book to fans of murder mysteries and historical fiction, whether or not they have an interest in learning more about Rene Descartes. Like the best historical novels, this book is primarily a great story that takes place in an actual time and place. You will learn something, and you'll enjoy doing it.
August 29, 2018
Like 3.25 stars to be precise! - Received the book from bookglow.net in return for an honest and unbiased review.
There are French, German and Latin references galore in this book, taking you back to an era of war and discord in these countries. The story, at first, was extremely slow to start, info dumping and lots of background on characters keeping the pace halted. The writing style is descriptive and reads leisurely. While I can appreciate this writing style and the literature, it makes for an unhurried read. You will need to take your time with it to soak it all in.
There is a lot of timeline and character jumps to keep track of, yet another reason to make sure you keep up. You can easily miss small clues if you don’t.
The 30-year war, political and religious standpoints, mathematical references and secret societies make up a large portion of the overall plot. If you do not like this sort of books, it might bore you, but I found it fascinating to read about.
Baillet’s investigation contains so many contradictions that, while reading, I keep thinking I’ve figured some parts out, then something happens and I’m confused all over again. This is what kept me reading and I honestly enjoyed this aspect of the plot so much. You realize there’s a bigger plot right in front of your nose but just cannot put your finger on what exactly this might be.
Also, insane plot twist!
There are French, German and Latin references galore in this book, taking you back to an era of war and discord in these countries. The story, at first, was extremely slow to start, info dumping and lots of background on characters keeping the pace halted. The writing style is descriptive and reads leisurely. While I can appreciate this writing style and the literature, it makes for an unhurried read. You will need to take your time with it to soak it all in.
There is a lot of timeline and character jumps to keep track of, yet another reason to make sure you keep up. You can easily miss small clues if you don’t.
The 30-year war, political and religious standpoints, mathematical references and secret societies make up a large portion of the overall plot. If you do not like this sort of books, it might bore you, but I found it fascinating to read about.
Baillet’s investigation contains so many contradictions that, while reading, I keep thinking I’ve figured some parts out, then something happens and I’m confused all over again. This is what kept me reading and I honestly enjoyed this aspect of the plot so much. You realize there’s a bigger plot right in front of your nose but just cannot put your finger on what exactly this might be.
Also, insane plot twist!
October 5, 2019
My rating: 4.5 stars
Originally posted at Stacked .
I absolutely loved this book! It has everything a good murder mystery needs: intrigues, secrets, shady characters, political affairs, and much more. The novel is quite lengthy, with over 500 pages. Still, the story never gets slow or dull.
Honestly, I’m not interested in philosophy and I didn’t know much about Descartes’s work and his private life. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the novel. While the novel is primarily a mystery, it is also a historical novel. It provides a bunch of interesting info — both true and fictional — about Descartes.
In addition, the murder mystery is amazing. Literally every character we meet could be the killer. There’s a lot of suspense, which makes this novel such a compelling read.
The characters are amazing, too. Baillet is the exact opposite of a traditional protagonist. He’s cowardly, unconfident, not educated enough, and just very plain. As the story progresses, he grows and becomes a far better version of himself. His story is just as captivating as the one concerning Descartes.
While I did figure out all major plot twists, it didn’t spoil the book for me. I was looking forward to the moment when the truth is uncovered. Unfortunately, the final, most dramatic scene, seems a bit rushed to me, which is the only area where this book falls short.
If you like good mysteries, historical novels, and fascinating characters, trust me — you will love this novel. It’s one of the most enjoyable books that I’ve read recently, so I highly recommend it.
* I want to thank Andrew Pessin, Book Glow’s Book Reviewer Program, and Open Books, for giving me an opportunity to read and review the Irrationalist.
Originally posted at Stacked .
I absolutely loved this book! It has everything a good murder mystery needs: intrigues, secrets, shady characters, political affairs, and much more. The novel is quite lengthy, with over 500 pages. Still, the story never gets slow or dull.
Honestly, I’m not interested in philosophy and I didn’t know much about Descartes’s work and his private life. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the novel. While the novel is primarily a mystery, it is also a historical novel. It provides a bunch of interesting info — both true and fictional — about Descartes.
In addition, the murder mystery is amazing. Literally every character we meet could be the killer. There’s a lot of suspense, which makes this novel such a compelling read.
The characters are amazing, too. Baillet is the exact opposite of a traditional protagonist. He’s cowardly, unconfident, not educated enough, and just very plain. As the story progresses, he grows and becomes a far better version of himself. His story is just as captivating as the one concerning Descartes.
While I did figure out all major plot twists, it didn’t spoil the book for me. I was looking forward to the moment when the truth is uncovered. Unfortunately, the final, most dramatic scene, seems a bit rushed to me, which is the only area where this book falls short.
If you like good mysteries, historical novels, and fascinating characters, trust me — you will love this novel. It’s one of the most enjoyable books that I’ve read recently, so I highly recommend it.
* I want to thank Andrew Pessin, Book Glow’s Book Reviewer Program, and Open Books, for giving me an opportunity to read and review the Irrationalist.
July 27, 2020
Excellent historical fiction that intersects with Agatha Christie mystery. A complex tale of court/church intrigue focused on Rene Descartes, with many disguised players. The lengthy novel's reveal is a great & satisfying surprise. Sustained tension punctuated by assault and murder -- and delicious omelettes -- create immersion in a distant space [France, Sweden] time [17th century]. Sharply defined characters -- so that the reader roots/cheers/shudders -- keep the pages turning. Mathematics and philosophy [Descartes!] are deftly, accessibly woven with European history. Meatier than most historical fiction, this novel could be an intro course at a great college. For cognoscenti, it's a satisfying refresher, and for the tyro, what a primer!
October 23, 2018
Go back to the beginning ...
I like books, like those by John Brockman, where you can read sections at a time; suitable for a busy life. Not this one, I didn’t want to put it down. A historical mystery that, to fully grasp ... you have to go back to the beginning. Recommend highly.
I like books, like those by John Brockman, where you can read sections at a time; suitable for a busy life. Not this one, I didn’t want to put it down. A historical mystery that, to fully grasp ... you have to go back to the beginning. Recommend highly.
October 10, 2025
"No, René. We have our reason but we also have our heart. And in one beat of that human heart I would trade your trisected angle for just one more day with my wife and children. You may not understand this now, but you will in time."
June 7, 2017
terrific
May 17, 2017
I am the author so obviously I read it, and loved it! :-) If anyone else out there likes it and is a member of a book club, please let me know -- I'd be happy to meet (in person or by skype) with any book club that reads the book ...
Read
July 2, 2017One of the more important aspects of any historical fiction is that the novel impart some knowledge. The Irrationalist, by Andrew Pessin meets that demand and then some. Written as both a murder mystery, as well as a discourse on European fratricide, the author delves into the minds of the elites, both religious and political, and the animosities that so bloodied the European continent for decades in the early 1600s.
Read the complete review at https://journalingonpaper.com/2017/07...
Read the complete review at https://journalingonpaper.com/2017/07...
August 22, 2017
A thrilling historical drama that brings to life a period when the fate of the world seemed just as fraught as today.
Pessin strikes the right balance between narrating the existential musings of one of the world's thinkers and a mystery plot that moves along brightly.
Pessin strikes the right balance between narrating the existential musings of one of the world's thinkers and a mystery plot that moves along brightly.
Read
January 18, 2018I was pleasantly surprised to find this historical novel to be both interesting, suspenseful and full of plot twists. I highly recommend it.
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