The Pope's Man

by Tarpley Jones

The first decade of the sixteenth century was a violent time in Italy. The pope and his lackeys were preoccupied less with spiritual salvation than with the accumulation of wealth. But even as they destroyed the church and set a course that would lead to the Reformation, the most powerful men in Rome were generous patrons of the arts. At the apogee of the High Renaissance, a disgruntled Michelangelo, offended by the brusque treatment he has received at the hands of the pope, decides to flee the Eternal City. But the mercurial Julius II has great plans for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s and the beautification of the Sistine Chapel. He sends his most trusted legate, the Franciscan friar Francesco della Rovere, to retrieve Michelangelo. Though only twenty-nine years of age, the devoted Rovere has traveled the Christian world to serve the papacy, but he has never encountered anyone quite like Michelangelo.

Michelangelo, whose reputation rests on his skill as a sculptor and not a painter, returns to Rome and reluctantly begins to fresco the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Only a stone’s throw away, the elegant and urbane Raphael Santi starts to decorate the four walls of Julius’s private library. And Julius’s daughter, Felice, a high-spirited girl who has been carefully guarded by her protective father, suddenly finds freedom when the pope entrusts her care, along with the oversight of his magnificent project, to Rovere. The Pope’s Man, part mystery, part thriller, and part a primer on the glory of Renaissance art, unfolds in the sumptuous rooms of the Vatican and the subterranean passageways of mysterious origin that lie beneath. Rovere, caught between feuding families and his duties to the pope, will only survive if he is resourceful enough to outsmart his enemies.

Genres: Fiction

374 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2022

Reviews

[Lilisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing historical fiction set in the early sixteenth century in The Vatican, Rome, and Florence during the papacy of Julius II. It’s the first decade of the century and the pope commands Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But Michelangelo protests and refuses - he’s a sculptor not a painter - and flees back to his hometown of Florence. Francesco della Rovere, the pope’s man and a relative of the pope is dispatched to bring the elusive Michelangelo back to The Vatican. Throw in some intrigue, mystery, skirmishes, battles, Michelangelo-Raphael jealousy, and family rivalry - all ingredients that made for a fast-paced enjoyable trot through the pages. I loved the Renaissance setting with its sense of place and time, as well as the Rovere-Felice interaction. The politics of The Vatican are in full display from the pope himself and his inner circle to references in other parts of Europe. All in all an enjoyable read and I liked the somewhat endearing Francesco della Rovere character - a Franciscan friar. I hope there is a sequel since I was not satisfied with how the book ended and hope the author intents to release a follow-up book sometime soon! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Cornelia Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have romanticized the Renaissance, thinking of it as some truly idyllic time in human history, this book will act as a much needed corrective.

Not that it didn’t give rise to extraordinary art and literature. It irrefutably did. It’s just that these took place against the backdrop of the same corruption, bickering, greed, and hopeless love that has always plagued us human beings throughout history.

The Pope’s Man captures this interplay beautifully. It takes us on a fascinating journey through some of the back alleys of Rome—-where Michelangelo and Raphael had to navigate in order to produce art that has had no equal in the five hundred years since they were on the scene. They succeeded despite the chaos of their times.

And that’s the point. Life always proceeds “in spite of.”

It’s almost as if The Pope’s Man is reminding readers of this fact. Life is never a slam-dunk. Read this book and take heart.

(A visit to the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s frescoes may be in order. And while you’re in the Vatican, don’t forget Raphael’s The School of Athens!)

[Suzanne Zeitouni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 16th century Vatican is the setting for this historical fiction, filled with greed, envy, subterfuge, and murder. Pope Julius and other powerful men are fighting over the talents of artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo. Papal offspring, plotting Cardinals, and temperamental artists keep the pages turning for the reader. Most of the characters are historical and much of the action straight out of the history books.

[Beverly Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pope’s Man achieves something rare and lovely in its account of Michelangelo’s painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This feat is accomplished because the reader knows something the novel’s characters, including Michelangelo, don’t – the end product is one of the world’s most glorious wonders. In the novel, we see how Michelangelo finds practical ways to access the ceiling (remember, this is 1508), to paint looking up for days and years on end, to apply paint that will last throughout time when even the great (or less great in Michelangelo’s opinion) Leonardo da Vinci failed at painting a lasting fresco, to create light in a dark world, and to overcome his own obstinacy and fragile ego.

I’ll mention that Michelangelo’s story is just one of the novel’s several subplots. The protagonist is Francesco Rovere, a naïve but well-meaning Franciscan brother, who serves as the legate to Pope Julius. When the Pope decides to lead an army in an ill-conceived war, he appoints Rovere guardian of his precocious daughter (yes, this Holy Father is neither peaceful nor celibate) and charges him with ensuring Michelangelo works diligently on his commission to paint the Sistine Chapel. Both tasks are far more daunting than they appear, and Rovere is pushed to the limits of his faith by desire, corruption, greed, and violence. The author deftly tells Rovere’s story with the help of a host of characters, many of whom are pulled directly from the annals of history, and no shortage of action and intrigue.

The Pope’s Man is a fast-paced and entertaining work of historical fiction, and this is coming from someone who’s not a fan of the genre. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

[Mariama Thorlu-Bangura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Pope's Man" presents the tale of a fictional illegitimate son of the very real Pope Juilus II, and how said illegitimate son served his father (temporal & spiritual, it turns out).

Francesco della Rovere is a papal legate, and is tasked by Pope Julius II with convincing Michelangelo (yes that Michelangelo) to return to Rome to paint the Sistine Chapel. Along with this, which he had to enlist help to accomplish, Francesco has to deal with the machinations going on at the papal court. Two advisors to the Pope jockey for power greater than the other. Then there is the ongoing feud between the Colonna and Orsini. Finally, secrets are discovered and revealed...all of which profoundly impact Francesco.

I enjoyed reading this books for a few reasons:
1. it was the right blend of historical fact, fiction, art, tangled family dynamics, violence, dry humor, and inappropriate sexual behaviors to keep me interested and intrigued;
2. some of the events were very interesting to read about: the discovery of the Laocoon statue, the rivalry between Raphael and Michelangelo, and the tunnel where Cesare Borgia hid money and a golden cat objet d'art;
3. the art work itself mentioned in the book - the author was kind enough to list them at the start of the book, as well as the names of the real historical figures in the book (this was very helpful).

I give this book two thumbs up. Excellent writing that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tarpley Jones, and Luminare Press for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book covering the story of Pope Julius' legate, Francesco della Rovere, and the artist Michelangelo. It's the story of the painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the politics and intrigue surrounding it. I found the story to be intriguing, and could not put the book down. It had it all, suspense, romance, historical information.
I am eagerly awaiting the author's future works!

[Ansley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every renaissance nerd should read this book. It is such a well written historical fiction with deep roots in the history of the art and artists of the time. I love how the author dug into the arguments between the pope and Michelangelo, showing the differing opinions on how a pope should be immortalized. The cover choice alone is a testament to how deeply this author understands these figures of history.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Popes Man was a terrific addition to the backdrop of 16th century Rome power dealing. I loved reading about a different aspect of Michelangelo and his turbulent relationship with the Pope and with Rome. Rovere as the main character with a mystery and thrilling situations moved the story very quickly. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!