Cages: A Tale of Insurrection

by Jeffrey C. Pugh

The year is 1533. Elsbeth Joris is about to be executed for witchcraft when Andreas Wagner cuts her loose from the ducking stool. Exiled from family and village, Elsbeth accepts Andreas’s offer to accompany him back to his home in Münster, Germany—a decision that plunges her into a world of unhinged prophets, sassy nuns, and a deranged charlatan king. A disillusioned former monk, Andreas is returning home to confront his past, but the city is on the brink of collapse. Crowds rave hysterically in the streets, churches are ransacked, convents and monasteries empty, sacred texts are burned, and polygamy is instituted as God’s law. To his surprise, Andreas finds that Ulrich Schlatter, a former nemesis, has also returned, seeking revenge on those who exiled him years ago. Stakes are raised for everyone when the Prince-Bishop of Westphalia calls mercenaries to besiege the city. The rebels, however, offer unexpected resistance, thwarting hopes for a quick victory. Finding refuge with one another and new friends in the ensuing struggle, Elsbeth and Andreas discover that love in the reign of a mad king is not impossible, but it does come with scars.

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2022

Reviews

[Bari Lynn Hein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Cages: A Tale of Insurrection is a lot like being immersed in an epic film. With his vivid scenes and pitch perfect dialogue, Jeffrey C. Pugh manages to make the 16th Century feel both authentic and accessible. A series of actual events that led to three bodies being hoisted in cages to the top of St. Lambert’s Cathedral in Münster, Germany, are reimagined through the perspectives of Andreas—a “disillusioned former monk” returning home after a long absence—and Elsbeth—who really has nowhere else to go after narrowly escaping execution. I fell in love with these two from the beginning, rooted for them to survive the escalating chaos in which they found themselves, and for the obvious attraction between them to develop. I also found myself caring for their friends—both lifelong and new. What came as a surprise was the complexity of the antagonists in this story, real-life figures who brought a city to “the brink of collapse.” This novel is a page-turner, and I seriously hope it is one day brought to the big screen.

[Larry Seiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The use of religion to gain and maintain personal and political power by those who lead is fraught with danger for those being led. It’s a theme explored in this historical novel about the takeover of the city of Münster in the 1530s. It’s a befitting subject in light of the growing presence of Christian Nationalism in the US today with it’s own hunger for political power. A noteworthy facet of this book is the author’s ability to weave together characters with diverse spiritual outlooks within a story about religious mass hysteria.

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mediocre novel about the Münster Anabaptist debacle of the 1530s. The dialogue is full of shouting, and the romantic story thread is not especially creative. The Anabaptist leaders of the city are all lunatics, so there's not much nuance.

[Katy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-a book published in 2022.

Very interesting book on a topic I was unfamiliar with. Lots of good characters and characterizations.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting fictionalization of the Anabaptist Revolution in Germany in the 1500s.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was set at a time in history of which I have little knowledge. I always enjoy learning more about history. In this book, I learned about the atrocities that took place in Munster 1534-1535. The author uses compelling characters to skillfully weave a tale of the corruption of power, the strength of faith, the power of hope, and survival. Though this is not a story for the feint of heart, it is a deep and thought provoking novel.

[Jan Rivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well researched book brings to life the events in Muenster, Germany in the 16th Century through the eyes of Andreas Wagner. Descriptive, filled with betrayal, violence and intrigue, the characters draw us into the truth of the siege of the city under the guise of apocalyptic visions. Those interested in understanding how religion can be twisted to hold people hostage to their quest for power will find this a fascinating read. The revelation of how absolute power corrupts absolutely while demanding loyalty along the way is evidence enough to bring understanding to our current moment in history.